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VIDEO - Finkelstein in Prague 3/7/2010 - P U L S E - Last week, Norman Finkelstein delivered a series of lectures in Prague as part of his European speaking tour. Finkelstein was initially invited to speak at the prestigious Czech Academy of Sciences but had his invitation revoked less than 24 hours prior to his scheduled talk, allegedly at the behest of the Prime Ministers office. A similar fate befell Finkelsteins appearance in Munich and Berlin, where the Heinrich Boll and Rosa Luxembourg Foundations cancelled the events, following a concerted campaign by neoconservative and pro-Israeli pressure groups, such as Honestly Concerned and BAK Shalom, known for their unconditional support of Israeli policies and the defamation of critics as anti-Semites. Video - Israel: Mossad support 'soars' after murder Uruknet March 5, 2010 - "Don't mess with Mossad". T-shirts with hard-hitting messages relating to the Israeli spy agency have been selling like hot cakes throughout Israel. And the agency's official website has reported a "soaring" number of people applying to be agents. The drastic increase in popularity follows the murder of a Hamas leader in Dubai, in which Mossad has... VIDEO - Gaza is an open-air prison 3/2/2010 - P U L S E - John Holmes, the United Nations humanitarian chief, has revisited the Gaza Strip, a year after Israels assault on the territory ended. He told Al Jazeera that it was disappointing how little has changed since the war and that there has been no real possibility of reconstruction, mainly because of Israels siege of the Strip. He said the blockade resulted in misery for the Palestinians. Theyre living in a kind of open-air prison. Theyre still suffering this kind of collective punishment theyve been suffering for three years now. " " VIDEO - The Single BDS Ladies 2/22/2010 - Adalah-NY - Single Levies (to the tune of Single Ladies by Beyonce) -- All the customers! (repeat 7x) / Now put your hands up! / Up at the store, we all showed up / doing our own pro-test. / You used to shop, now we want you to stop / cuz settlements are a crime. / Weve got the facts, its apartheid, / so dont pay for Levs dia-monds! / He steals the land and builds on it / so you really should boycott him! / [Chorus] Its apartheid so you shouldnt put a ring on it / Its apartheid so you shouldnt put a ring on it / Occupation is a crime so put an end to it! / Its apartheid so you shouldnt put a ring on it. . . . Related: Also on YouTube VIDEO - Interview with Grant F. Smith, Author of Spy Trade 2/20/2010 - Dissident Voice - Press TV - Iranian satellite television channel Press TV broadcast of a 25 minute interview with Institute for Research Middle Eastern Policy (IRmep) director Grant F. Smith about the Israel lobbys history of challenges to rule of law and governance in the United States. [end] VIDEO - Palestinian village isolated from West Bank 2/21/2010 - Palestine Note - Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh reports. Israel's separation wall has generated anger and protest all over the Palestinian territories. For one small village on the ouskirts of Bethlehem, the wall has effectively created a prison for its. . . Israel's separation wall has generated anger and protest all over the Palestinian territories. For one small village on the ouskirts of Bethlehem, the wall has effectively created a prison for its Palestinian residents. Al-Nu'man village was cut off from Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank in 2003 and it is walled in on three sides by the wall, which was illegally constructed beyond the Green Line of armistice drawn after the 1949 Arab-Israeli war. A permanent checkpoint is now the only entrance to and exit from the village. VIDEO - Mass Demo Bil’in: Five Years of Resistance Commemorated 2/19/2010 - YouTube - Haith M Katib - Today Bil'in commemorated the fifth anniversary of popular demonstrations against the settlements and the Apartheid Wall. Israel's occupation has confiscated over 50% of Bil'in's land. Only last week the construction work to reroute the Wall began, nearly two and a half years after the High Court of Justice ordered the Wall to be moved. Approximately 30% of land will be returned to the village. This victory strengthens Bil'in's resistance and counterbalances the hardships the Israeli Occupation Army has inflicted upon the village. Throughout the past five years, Bil'in's non-violent demonstrations have met with severe army violence, injuring over 1,200 people and killing one person. Another 85 villagers have been arrested for organizing or merely taking part in the demonstrations. The Israeli Occupation Army terrorizes the entire village, entering Bil'in at night, often using sound bombs and tear gas. VIDEO - Finkelstein vs. Gissan 2/18/2010 - Information Clearing House/Russia Today - Norman Finkelstein: One Man's Struggle for Justice - By RT - On Peter Lavelle's CrossTalk, Israel critic Norman Finkelstein faces off against a formidable spokesperson of Israel's "soft power", Ronan Gissan. [end] VIDEO - Israel’s Mossad in spotlight after Hamas murder 2/18/2010 - YouTube - AFP - Interpol has issued arrest notices for 11 suspects in the killing of a top Hamas commander, Mahmud al-Mabhuh, last month. The apparent assassination, which took place in Dubai, has piled diplomatic. . . Interpol has issued arrest notices for 11 suspects in the killing of a top Hamas commander, Mahmud al-Mabhuh, last month. The apparent assassination, which took place in Dubai, has piled diplomatic pressure on Israel, since the suspects travelled on fake European passports. Some are blaming the murder on the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. Duration: 01:55 [end] A thousand demonstrators gather to commemorate the 5 year struggle in Bil’in 2/19/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - More than 1000 Palestinians, Israelis and internationals gathered. Demonstrators managed to get to the fence, dismantlea large section down, and cross the wall, placing a Palestinian flag on top of an Israel Defense Forces outpost. The Israeli soldiers responded by spreading water with chemicals which provoke unbearable smell, shooting scores of tear gas canisters. [end] Video - The Silent War: Israel's Blockade of Gaza Uruknet February 16, 2010 - Israels blockade of Gaza has been in place for almost three years. Building on existing closures and restrictions, the blockade means the delay or denial of a broad range of items food, industrial, educational, medical deemed "non-essential" for a population largely unable to be self-sufficient at the end of decades of occupation. The blockade prevents access... VIDEO - Palestinian Families Appeal to UN Over Israeli Construction of 'Museum of Tolerance' on Jerusalems Historic Mamilla Cemetery 2/10/2010 - Democracy Now! - Palestinian families have filed a petition with the United Nations over the Simon Wiesenthal Centers plans to build a Museum of Tolerance over the historic Muslim cemetery in Jerusalem. Opponents of the project have long questioned how a monument to tolerance can be built on the remains of the graves of generations of Palestinian Muslims. We speak to Columbia University professor and author Rashid Khalidi, a petitioner whose ancestors were buried at the Mamilla Cemetery; and Michael Ratner of the Center for Constitutional Rights, which is representing the families in their petition. [includes rush transcript]. [end]Related: Mamilla Campaign VIDEO - 'Settlements' in Palestine and how they happen 2/9/2010 - Axis of Logic - Anne Baltzer - Apartheid Israel Builds Racist Colonies On Stolen Palestinian Land & US Taxpayers Pay For It. "Apartheid Israel Builds Racist Colonies On Stolen Palestinian Land & US Taxpayers Pay For It. [end]" VIDEO - Bil’in weekly demonstration reenacts the Avatar film 2/13/2010 - International Solidarity Movement - Friends of Freedom and Justice, 12 February - The village of Bil'in reenacted James Cameron's new film Avatar during today's weekly demonstration. Five Palestinian, Israeli and international activists were painted blue, with pointy ears and tales, resembling the Avatar characters. Like Palestinians, the Avatars fight imperialism, although the colonizers have different origins. The Avatars' presence in Bil'in today symbolizes the united resistance to imperialism of all kinds. Today's non-violent demonstration was again met with excessive violence by the Israeli army. Sound bombs and tear gas were used, leaving four people directly injured by the canisters. The canisters were shot directly at the protesters, which is in violation with the IOF's firing regulations. Many other activists suffered from tear gas inhalation. Related: Palestinians dressed as the Navi from the film Avatar stage a protest against Israels separation barrier and YouTube: Bilin Reenacts Avatar Film VIDEO - Goldstone Facts - The Real Story Behind Israel’s Invasion of Gaza - Part 1 2/6/2010 - YouTube/GoldstoneFacts.org - Part 1 -- In this video, we distill out the findings of the Chapter 11("Deliberate Attacks against the Civilian Population") of the Goldstone Report to make it accessible to the lay public. The factual and legal findings are narrated by Noam Chomsky. The video also contains live testimonies of Khalid, Kawthar and Samar Abd Rabbo before the UN Fact Finding Mission headed by Justice Richard Goldstone. For more information on this video, please go to goldstonefacts. org. Related: GoldstoneFacts [end] VIDEO - Goldstone Facts - The Real Story Behind Israel’s Invasion of Gaza - Part 2 2/6/2010 - YouTube - Part 2 - In this video, we distill out the findings of the Chapter 11("Deliberate Attacks against the Civilian Population") of the Goldstone Report to make it accessible to the lay public. The factual and l. . . In this video, we distill out the findings of the Chapter 11("Deliberate Attacks against the Civilian Population") of the Goldstone Report to make it accessible to the lay public. The factual and legal findings are narrated by Noam Chomsky. The video also contains live testimonies of Khalid, Kawthar and Samar Abd Rabbo before the UN Fact Finding Mission headed by Justice Richard Goldstone. [end] VIDEO - Israel denies NGOs work permits 2/9/2010 - YouTube - The Israeli interior ministry has stopped issuing work permits to foreigners working for international non-governmental organisations (NGOs). In the last few weeks, NGO staff have been given tourist visas instead, making it virtually impossible for them to carry out their work. The new Israeli policy affects 120 International NGOs, of which many which provide vital developmental and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Many NGO members have said that Israel's actions are illegal because the country is obligated under Geneva and humanitarian law to issue them visas and let them work freely there. Al Jazeera's Sherine Tadros reports from Jerusalem. [end] VIDEO - 11 arrested for disrupting Israeli ambassador 2/8/2010 - College Life - Eleven people were arrested Monday evening during a raucous lecture at UC Irvine where Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren came to talk about U. S. -Israel relations. (UCI earlier said that 12 were arrested. )Here are the identities of the 8 UCI students and 3 UC Riverside students who were arrested. Oren was interrupted 10 times Monday while trying to give his speech before 500 people at the UCI Student Center, where there was heavy security. Oren took a 20 minute break after the fourth protest, asked for hospitality and resumed his speech, only to be interrupted again by young men yelling at him every few minutes. Many members of the audience also applauded Oren. After the 10th interruption, several dozens students who opposed Orens talk got up and walked out and staged a protest outside. It is not clear whether they were members of the UCI Muslim Student Union, which issued an email earlier in the day condemning Orens appearance on campus. VIDEO - Israel Threatening To Use Nuclear Weapons On Iran 2/7/2010 - YouTube/FoxNews - New York Post columnist Michael Goodwin confirms Israeli official threatened to use tactical nuclear weapons against Iran. [end] VIDEO - Wadi Fuqeen Villagers Battle Israeli Wall 2/7/2010 - The Friends of Wadi Fuqeen - Al-Jazeera TV Video Report - Palestinians and Israeli dissenters are getting together to fight Israel's plan to build another section of the separation wall in the occupied West Bank. According to environmentalists, the wall will stop the flow of water to the natural springs and thus threatens to dry out much of the Palestinian land. They also see the wall - illegal under international law - as a part of long-term Israeli policy to grab more and more Palestinian land in the West Bank. But the Israeli government says the separation wall is for security reasons, in order to stop Palestinians carrying out attacks in Israel. [end] VIDEO - Gaza villages Wiped off the map 1/21/2009 - YouTube/Channel 4 - January 21, 2009 - YouTube/Channel 4 UL - Gilad Atzmon: 'Another excellent report by Jonathan Miller. Telling the story of destruction and killing in Gaza. ' [end] VIDEO - Anthony Lawson - More About Israeli Barbarism 2/7/2010 - Gilad Atzmon - Anthony Lawson did it again, a brilliant expose of Israeli brutality: the numbers, the intensity, the images and the carnage the Israel has left behind. [end] Video - MSF: Gaza, One Year On In Gaza, the effects of last years Operation Cast Lead is still being felt Uruknet February 5, 2010 - ...The health care system's ability to function properly has been weakened considerably. Most medical equipment is unreliable and the embargo makes it impossible to obtain certain spare parts. Similarly, medical units also face drug shortages. More than 5,000 people were wounded during the January war. Many are disabled and the only rehabilitation center in the Gaza... VIDEO - 'To shoot an elephant' 2/2/2010 - ToShootAnElephant.com - A documentary by Alberto Arce and Mohammad Rujailah, "To shoot an elephant" is an eye witness account from The Gaza Strip. December 27th, 2008, Operation Cast Lead. 21 days shooting elephants. Urgent, insomniac, dirty, shuddering images from the only foreigners who decided and managed to stay embedded inside Gaza strip ambulances, with Palestinian civilians. Sinopsis [sic] ". . . afterwards, of course, there were endless discussions about the shooting of the elephant. The owner was furious, but he was only an Indian and could do nothing. Besides, legally I had done the right thing, for a mad elephant has to be killed, like a mad dog, if it's owner fails to control it". George Orwell defined a way of witnessing Asia that still remains valid. "To shoot an elephant" is an eye witness account from The Gaza Strip. December 27th, 2008, Operation Cast Lead. 21 days shooting elephants. . . . Download the film and share it VIDEO - Dr. Norman Finkelstein at the University of Waterloo 2/2/2010 - YouTube - January 20, 2010 - Clip is from American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein. Copyright Baraka Productions / Typecast Releasing. [end] VIDEO - Settler Attack in Sheikh Jarrah with M-16 1/31/2010 - YouTubeISM Palestine - After verbal taunting, a settler in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah left the Gawi house which he and other settlers have occupied since August 2009. He descended the stairs with an M-16 and pushed a teenage boy. When neighborhood adults stepped in to protect the teenager, he pushed Nasser Gawi and then punched him. Seconds later the settler cocked his M-16 and pointed it wildly at the crowd that had gathered. In this video you can clearly see the first punch thrown by the settler and clearly hear the cock of his gun. Related: Nasser Gawi expelled from Sheikh Jarrah – settler detained, weapon siezed and Israeli police detain settler, seize weapon in Sheikh Jarrah VIDEO - My Heart Broke When My Mum And Dad Died In Front Of Me 1/17/2010 - YouTube - Children in Gaza talk about watching their parents die from Israeli violence. [end] VIDEO - Obama Asked Why US Doesn’t Condemn Israeli Human Rights Abuses 1/28/2010 - Huffington Post - During President Obama's town hall this afternoon in Tampa, Florida, a young woman asked a pointed question about Israel and human rights that stirred up the crowd and prompted a long answer from Obama. She asked the president: Last night in your State of the Union address, you spoke of America's support for human rights. Then, why have we not condemned Israel and Egypt's human rights violations against the occupied Palestinian people and yet we continue to support financially with billions of dollars coming from our tax dollars? Obama carefully avoided directly addressing any questions of human rights abuses by Israel or Egypt, instead choosing to frame his answer in the broader context of the troubled region. He was quick to state that he "makes no apologies" for strongly defending Israel while also asserting that the Palestinians have rights as well: "Israel is one of our strongest allies. It is a vibrant democracy. . . . " VIDEO - Child’s eye: ’My brothers think about weapons, not toys’ 1/29/2010 - The Guardian - Two young Palestinian girls - 15-year-old Reem and 10-year-old Ameera describe their ongoing fears in the aftermath of last year's bombing of Gaza by Israel. [end] VIDEO - ’Defamation’ 1/28/2010 - Information Clearing House - Hashmatsa' ('Defamation') by Israeli director Yoav Shamir dares to attack one of the sacred cows of Israel and of the Jewish people thinking - how it reacts to antisemitism around the world, how it looks at the evil of the Holocaust, and how young generations are being educated in Israel with respect to these painful and fundamental issues. Quest to answer the question, What is anti-Semitism today? Does it remain a dangerous and immediate threat? Or is it a scare tactic used by right-wing Zionists to discredit their critics? Speaking with an array of people from across the political spectrum (including the head of the Anti-Defamation League and its fiercest critic, author Norman Finkelstein) and traveling to places like Auschwitz (alongside Israeli school kids) and Brooklyn (to explore reports of violence), Shamir discovers the realities of anti-Semitism today. His findings are shocking, enlightening and surprisingly often wryly funny. VIDEO : Humanitarianism: Prolonging the Palestinian Political Plight? Uruknet January 28, 2010 - Does humanitarianism delay a political solution to the question of Palestine? With the siege on Gaza and the occupation effecting the population in dramatic fashion and eliminating basic human needs for millions, there is a noticeable shift in the discourse on Palestine; that is a shift away from the struggle for freedom and toward a struggle... VIDEO - B’Tselem film challenges wisdom of Gaza blockade 1/25/2010 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - One year after Israel's assault on the coastal enclave, the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem launched a public campaign demanding that Israel lift its siege on the Gaza Strip. On Monday, B'Tselem released a short film, by Alon Simone, challenging conventual wisdom in Israel that the country's ongoing military blockade of Gaza has brought Hamas to its knees. "A siege doesn't collapse governments," the animated film concludes. "A siege just makes people miserable. " Releasing such films and other material to counter perceptions of what is happening "is necessary in order to rehabilitate the Gaza Strip from the destruction wrought by the hostilities," B'Tselem said. On Sunday, Gaza's electricity generators were turned off as a result of insufficient quantities of fuel being transferred into the coastal enclave. Related: B'tselem Animation: Lift siege on Gaza, December 2009 and Gaza: An Inside Look - Young Gazans' videos VIDEO - Gaza Freedom March Protests Continue in Cairo, Organizers Say Egypt Offer to Allow 100 into Gaza Not Sufficient 12/30/2009 - Democracy Now! - Hundreds of activists with the Gaza Freedom March are staging continued demonstrations and sit-ins in Cairo to protest the Egyptian governments refusal to allow them to cross the border into Gaza. Organizers say an offer by Egyptian authorities this morning to allow just 100 members of the group to go to Gaza was not sufficient. More than 1,300 people from over forty countries are in Cairo as part of the Gaza Freedom March. We go to Cairo to speak with Ali Abunimah of Electronic Intifada. AMY GOODMAN: Hundreds of activists with the Gaza Freedom March are staging continued demonstrations and sit-ins in Cairo to protest Egypts refusal to allow them to cross the border into Gaza. Organizers say an offer by Egyptian authorities this morning to allow just a hundred members of the group to go to Gaza was not sufficient. More than 1,300 people came from over forty countries. VIDEO - Gaza Freedom March Updates 12/30/2009 - P U L S E - Sam Husseini speaks to Paul Jay of the Real News from Cairo. He is also liveblogging here. Also check out Kirstie and Angus MacLeans updates and the always excellent coverage by our good friends at Mondoweiss. Ali Abunimah is also liveblogging from Cairo. Stephen Walt has written about the absence of coverage in the US media (here and here). This is what presumably prompted the New York Times to give some coverage today (albeit on page A8). Democracy Now, as always, has the best coverage of all. [Includes links] [end] VIDEO - Rep. Brian Baird to call for cutting US aid to Israel unless the blockade on Gaza is lifted 12/30/2009 - Mondoweiss - See also: Congressman Baird Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection (9 December 2009) and Brian Baird: Israel and Gaza [end] VIDEO - Christmas in the Holy Land 12/16/2009 - Political Theatrics - When celebrating Christmas, it would be a good idea to think about the birthplace of Jesus. What is like in the Holy Land under occupation, injustice and racism? How does Christmas feel when the Holy Land is under siege? Help bring joy to the Holy Land. Help break the siege. Support the Freedom March to Gaza, Holy Land (Palestine). [end] VIDEO - One beaten and threatened with arrest; al-Ma’sara defies soldiers 12/5/2009 - Stop The Wall - Today, the weekly demonstration against the illegal Apartheid Wall and settlements in al-Masara and the surrounding villages in the south of Bethlehem was met by an unusually high number of soldiers, who had arrived in a military bus and additional jeeps. Again, the intended march to the lands of the villages was cut off by a row of barbed wire; however, this week, the barrier had been moved further into the village and spread diagonally across the main street, allowing for more soldiers to line up behind it. The stepped up military presence clearly forbade military aggression. Nonetheless, the local protestors, who were again joined by international and Israeli activists, walked peacefully to the barrier and began to honor a Palestinian who was twice run over by a settler in Hebron last week after allegedly stabbing two settlers. VIDEO - Armageddon is coming to East Jerusalem 12/6/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - Palestine Monitor, 5 December - This was the ominous warning issued yesterday by Rabbi Arik Asherman, director of Rabbis for Human Rights who believes that "if nothing changes, Jerusalem will burn. " His remarks come in response to a court decision on Monday permitting Israeli settlers to take possession of another Palestinian home in the East Jerusalem region of Sheikh Jarrah. This is the fifth family to be evicted in a neighbourhood where more and more Israeli flags are appearing atop of freshly occupied Palestinian homes. Yesterday Rabbis for Human Rights organized a demonstration in Jerusalem protesting the courts decision bringing together 150 Israeli and international activists from organizations such as ICHAD, EAPPI and Anarchists against the Wall. As they marched through the streets in West Jerusalem, they received a mixed reaction from passer bys. Some cheered them on whilst others shouted "traitor', spat at demonstrators and at one point a hose was turned on the crowd from behind the curtain of an upstairs apartment. VIDEO - UPDATE: Shock follows footage of settler running over Palestinian 12/3/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - Ma'an News, 3 December 2009 - An amateur video shocked Palestinians on Tuesday, catching what appeared to be an Israeli settler repeatedly running over a wounded Palestinian at a gas station in Hebron last week. The Palestinian, an unidentified man shot several times following an alleged knife attack at the station, appeared to be staggering when a silver Mercedes ran him down, stopped, reversed, and ran him over again. The video was reportedly taken on Thursday, although at the time, Israeli representatives made no mention of the settler's alleged attack, telling reporters only that a Palestinian man had been shot after he stabbed and lightly injured two settlers. A military spokesman told Ma'an that after the two Israelis were hurt, a soldier shot and injured the Palestinian, who was taken to the Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital in Jerusalem. VIDEO - Shock follows footage of settler running over Palestinian 12/2/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - An amateur video shocked Palestinians on Tuesday, catching what appeared to be an Israeli settler repeatedly running over a wounded Palestinian at a gas station in Hebron last week. The Palestinian, an unidentified man shot several times following an alleged knife attack at the station, appeared to be staggering when a silver Mercedes ran him down, stopped, reversed, and ran him over again. The video was reportedly taken on Thursday, although at the time, Israeli representatives made no mention of the settler's alleged attack, telling reporters only that a Palestinian man had been shot after he stabbed and lightly injured two settlers. A military spokesman told Ma'an that after the two Israelis were hurt, a soldier shot and injured the Palestinian, who was taken to the Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital in Jerusalem. VIDEO - Israeli police demolish the only shelter of evicted Palestinian family for the fourth time 12/2/2009 - International Solidarity Movement - At approximately 9am this Wednesday, four police vehicles containing eight Jerusalem police and four border police armed with automatic weapons came to Sheikh Jarrah and demolished the Gawi tent for the fourth time. The demolition took place as there were several people sleeping in the tent. The police failed to alert those sleeping to their destructive actions. The Palestinian family's possessions were confiscated and removed in police pick-up trucks and golf carts. One hour later, a British national was arrested. The Gawi family has lived in the tent for four months now, since 2 August 2009 when they were forcefully evicted from their home, now occupied by settlers. This action comes in the wake of yesterday's settler invasion of the front section of the al-Kurd family home. As the settlers moved some of their possessions from the occupied Gawi home to the newly-confiscated al-Kurd home, the police were destroying and stealing the blankets, chairs, mattresses, lights and shelter from the evicted Gawi family. VIDEO - Israel: A Rogue State segment on CNN 12/2/2009 - P U L S E - As mild as this CNN report is, would it have appeared on CNN in the US rather than its International Edition? CNNs Paula Newton here in a segment with Israeli scholars Avi Schlaim and Shlomo Sand who rightly characterise Israel as a rogue state. Unfortunately the execrable Mark Regev appears in the second half, presumably for balance; nevertheless the fact that these two critical scholars appeared on network corporate news is a small signpost. (Some readers in the US have reported they can not watch the video via CNNs Daily Motion channel from which the clip below is sourced. If so, you should be able to watch it from CNNs site: Link follows. ) Meanwhile, another israeli of conscience, Shulamit Aloni, has also notably spoken out and called her fellow citizens a nefarious people What we are doing in the West Bank is worse than all the pogroms done to the Jews. "-- Links: Watch CNN Video and Avi Shlaim and Shlomo Sand in conversation with Jacqueline Rose VIDEO - Avi Shlaim and Shlomo Sand in conversation with Jacqueline Rose 11/17/2009 - P U L S E - Event description: Few modern conflicts are as attached to history as that of Israel and Palestine. Avi Shlaim, professor of international relations at Oxford will be in conversation with Shlomo Sand, professor of contemporary history at Tel Aviv University, at the Frontline Club for a seminal evening of discussion. Avi Shlaims new book, Israel and Palestine focuses on the causes and consequences of the Israeli-Palestine conflict, while Shlomo Sands international best-seller The Invention of the Jewish People unravels the mythologised history of the Jewish people to find that the Israelites were never exiled from the promised land, and therefore have no right to return. The book concludes that the present-day Palestinian Arabs are the true heirs of the biblical Jews. This is a once-only opportunity to hear these two eminent historians discussing their individual perspectives on. . . . Video shows Palestinian man hit in car attack 12/2/2009 - AlJazeeraEnglishYouTube - Violence erupted in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday when a Palestinian man entered a petrol station at the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba in the occupied West Bank and stabbed two settlers. But that was not the end of the story. According to the Israeli army, the Palestinian was then shot by a soldier, after which a car, apparently driven by a settler, ran over the wounded Palestinian, twice, with Israeli soldiers all around. VIDEO - 'The Erasure of Palestine' 11/25/2009 - Palestine Center - JFECD - 13 November 2009, The Palestine Center, Washington, D. C. - Welcome Remarks by Dr. Subhi Ali and Introduction and Rationale by Dr. Naseer Aruri. Panel I: Erasure Before and After 1967 with Ms. Nadia Hijab, Ms. Jennifer Lowenstein, Dr. Leila Farsakh and Ms. Phyllis Bennis - Panel II: Shrinking Space and Colonization with Dr. Eid Mustafa, Dr. Laurie King and Mr. Will Youmans - Panel III: National Fragmentation and Cohesion with Dr. Halim Barakat, Dr. Elliot Colla and Mr. Ali Abunimah - Final Remarks: The Role of the International Community in the Erasure with Ms. Zaha Hassan, Ms. Susan Akram and Dr. Naseer Aruri. [end] VIDEO - Israeli Soldiers Admit to War Crimes During Gaza War 11/23/2009 - Political Theatrics - July 15, 2009 - Soldiers who took part in Israels 2008 war on Gaza have spoken out on what they say really happened during the 22-day offensive. Israel has rejected charges that it could be guilty of war crimes. Now the activist group Breaking the Silence has published soldiers testimonies saying crimes were committed, and even encouraged. -- Links: Breaking The Silence and Watch on YouTube [end] VIDEO - Ctrl Alt Shift Film Competition Winner No Way Through 11/24/2009 - YouTube - Written and Directed by: Alexandra Monro + Sheila Menon, Mentor: Jim Threapleton, Music: The Thirst -- No Way Through highlights mobility restrictions imposed in the West Bank, that are limiting its habitants access to health care, thus violating a fundamental human right. Take Action to help people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories get justice. -- Links: Ambulances Denied Access to Neighborhoods in E. Jerusalem without Police Escort [end] VIDEO - Film imagines army checkpoints in London 11/24/2009 - Bethlehem - Ma'an - A new short film transposes Israel's movement restrictions on Palestinians in the occupied territories to London. In No Way Through a man drives through London in a desperate attempt to reach a hospital, after an ambulance is blocked by soldiers from reaching the scene of an accident. The seven-minute clip is an apparent attempt to compel Western viewers to imagine themselves in the shoes of Palestinians. Although analogy is not exact - the soldiers "occupying" London are British and speak English, unlike Israeli forces in the West Bank who speak Hebrew instead of Arabic - the film captures something of the challenges Palestinians face inside their own territory. The film was co-directed by Alexandra Bouillon and Sheila Menon, released in May as a part of the British experimental art and activism initiative Ctrl. VIDEO - The Israel Lobby 4/2/2007 - Tegenlicht/YouTube - An episode of the Dutch documentary program "Tegenlicht" about the Israel lobby in the USA. - For many years now the American foreign policy has been characterized by the strong tie between the United States and Israel. Does the United States in fact keep Israel on its feet? And how long will it continue to do so? Is one allowed to question that reality, or is the pro-Israel lobby so strong, financially and politically, that the relationship with Israel is taboo and therefore unmentionable? And what happens to those who dare expose the unmentionable? In March 2006 the American political scientists John Mearsheimer (University of Chicago) and Steve Walt (Harvard) published the controversial article 'The Israel Lobby and US foreign policy'. In it they state that it is not, or no longer, expedient for the US to support and protect present-day Israel. -- Links: Tegenlicht VIDEO - Living in fear of evictions 11/4/2009 - AlJazeera - The United Nations, the United States and the European Union have all called on Israel to stop the illegal eviction of Palestinians and the demolition of their homes. Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, urged Israel to end its "provocative actions" in East Jerusalem, while calling for it to freeze all settlement activity in the occupied West Bank. Despite that, the sight of Palestinians in East Jerusalem being forced out of their homes has become an all too familiar scene. Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland reports from occupied East Jerusalem. VIDEO - Gideon Levy on Israel’s addiction 11/15/2009 - The Real News - Levy: Israel is in a "coma" and needs outside help to get over its addiction to the occupation - GIDEON LEVY, COLUMNIST, HAARETZ NEWSPAPER: I think that Israel needs an adult who will save it from its own addiction to the occupation. It needs a guide who'd push or lead or any other way to take us out from the impossible situation that we are stuck in. And therefore I think that this balance of power, this really twisted relationship between the United States and Israel, which is unprecedentedthere's no country in the world that reacts like Israel vis--vis the United States vis--vis independence from the United StatesI think that this is not a healthy pattern. Israel is addicted to the occupation because it benefits a lot from the occupation economically and politically, and above all because it doesn't pay any price for the occupation. VIDEO - American protester shot by Israeli soldiers still in critical condition after surgery Ma’an News Agency 3/14/2009 Bethlehem Maan An American demonstrator shot in the head by the Israeli military Friday remains in life-threatening condition after undergoing surgery overnight. His skull is fractured. Fragments of bone went into his brain, said Andersons partner, 25-year-old Gabrielle Silverman, originally from Brooklyn, New York, speaking on the phone from Tel Hashomer Hospital in Tel Aviv Saturday. Silverman said doctors had removed part of the right frontal lobe of Andersons brain and were working to put his face back together, to address trauma to his eye and forehead. The hospital is refusing to release further details, she said. Its unclear how well hes going to recover. He could die. He could recover completely. He could be severely brain damaged, said Silverman, adding that Andersons parents are on their way to Tel Aviv from San Francisco. VIDEO - Dr. Barghouthi on Gaza Editor Palestine Monitor, Palestine Monitor 3/9/2009 A collection of interviews with Dr Barghouthi during the 22 day Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip. As the bombs fell upon the besieged Gaza Strip like rain, Dr Mustafa Barghouthi, Deputy Director of the Palestinian National Initiative, was invited to speak to a number of news outlets to give the "Palestinian side’ of the story. Israel’s media and public relations campaign throughout the war had been as meticulously planned as the military operation itself. Israel had composed a narrative of events and a campaign by which to place this narrative at the forefront of the international community’s collective mind. Palestine has chosen to replay some of the Dr’s interviews throughout the war in hopes of once more challenging the perceptions of what happened and why. VIDEO - Animator of award-winning Israeli movie tackles Gaza Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 3/5/2009 Short film aims to highlight effects of Israeli blockade on Palestinians -- One of the creators of the successful Israeli movie Waltz with Bashir has produced a new animated film to highlight the continued blockade of the Gaza Strip and its 1. 5 million Palestinian residents. Yoni Goodman, who was director of animation for the Golden Globe-winning movie, said he was motivated to take part in the project by the recent war in Gaza. His 90-second animation, Closed Zone, follows a young boy chasing a bird through the Gaza Strip who finds his way out blocked at every turn. " The issue was always important in my opinion, meaning the issue of the closure," said Goodman in a second video about the making of the Gaza animation. " The war made this project a mission for me. This character is this kid, he is kind of a kid and kind of an adult, a bit Arab and a bit Jewish, something that everyone -- See also: Closed Zone VIDEO - Clinton voices concern over Israeli demolition plans The Guardian 3/4/2009 Israel’s plans to bulldoze dozens of homes in Arab East Jerusalem have been criticised by the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, during a joint news conference with the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas. [end] -- See also: Clinton condemns Israel's demolition of Arab East Jerusalem homes VIDEO - They shoot farmers, don’t they? Israeli Snipers shoot at unarmed Palestinians and Internationals Vittorio Arrigoni, Translated by Mary Rizzo, Palestine Think Tank 2/28/2009 One heart, two hands, a beating heart and a mind that is still working. Two eyes deep enough to focus on injustice and aimed at by snipers Two hands that are still working so that they can comfort the little child who is A dispersed son of a lesser God, and a heart that is skipping beats and pumping blood for a mind that is not ready to show indifference before a tragedy such as this. I am alive, but this could quite easily have been the video of my execution. When a bullet (even if it may have been a rubber coated one) rushes past your temple, I can assure you it is like you have received a slap in the face by a heavyweight, something so strong to knock you to the ground. This is what happened, two days ago at Khozaa, when we were accompanying Palestinian agricultural... -- See also: Sniping at the elderly in Khoza'a VIDEO - Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian farmers and internationals in Khoza’a ISM 2/27/2009 Khoza’a, Khan Younis, Gaza - 9am: 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 Israeli forces 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. VIDEO - Erased: a film about Gaza by Alberto Arce ISM 2/25/2009 Alberto Arce traveled from Cyprus to Gaza with the Free Gaza Movement on 18 December 2008 as a member of the International Solidarity Movement. Alberto worked in solidarity with the Gazan people, accompanied fishermen and farmers to deter violence from Israeli forces, and documented the daily impacts of the siege on Gazans. Arce was in Gaza during ‘Operation Cast Lead,’ where he volunteered with medical ambulances. He witnessed the devastating attacks on the Gazan people and recorded Israeli forces shooting a medic. Alberto Arce and Miguel Llorens have directed a movie about life in Gaza. Promotional trailer: Erased: wipe off the map [end] -- See also: VIDEO - Israeli forces shooting a medic and Promotional trailer: Erased: wipe off the map VIDEO - Empire - Israel and the US Al Jazeera 2/25/2009 In this episode of Empire, Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, and his guests zero in on the special relationship between the US and Israel. From its beginning, when it took the US only 11 minutes to recognise Israel, through its difficult early years, to the blossoming bond when the alliance grew based on shared values and strategic goals. This relationship has provided Israel with over $150bn in aid and military assistance, and in the process changed the nature of Israeli society. However, despite the obligatory expressions of support by politicians playing to their constituencies, the recent elections in both countries have them seemingly heading in opposite directions. This second episode of Empire will explore who benefits from the special relationship and whether the status quo will prevail. VIDEO - Shimon Peres Interview - How do you sleep at night? YouTube, Palestine Think Tank 2/24/2009 Thanks very much to one of our attentive [Palestine Think Tank] readers, Rodney, who sent this video from Australian TV, where Shimon Peres makes one outrageous claim after another, including that the Gaza checkpoints have always been open. If you can stand someone lying through their teeth, this is the man for you. Part 1 of 2. [end] -- See also: Shimon Peres - Interview with Dateline Part 2 of 2 VIDEO - Ehud Olmert bids farewell The Guardian 2/24/2009 Outgoing Israeli prime minister gives final speech to Jewish leaders, while incoming leader, Binyamin Netanyahu, meets the president of the European Union. [end] VIDEO - Amnesty calls on US to suspend arms sales to Israel Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 2/23/2009 Detailed evidence has emerged of Israel’s extensive use of US-made weaponry during its war in Gaza last month, including white phosphorus artillery shells, 500lb bombs and Hellfire missiles. In a report released today, Amnesty International listed the weapons used and called for an immediate arms embargo on Israel and all Palestinian armed groups. It called on the US president, Barack Obama, to suspend military aid to Israel. The human rights group said those arming both sides in the conflict "will have been well aware of a pattern of repeated misuse of weapons by both parties and must therefore take responsibility for the violations perpetrated". The US has long been the largest arms supplier to Israel; under a 10-year agreement negotiated by the Bush administration the US will provide $30bn (21bn) in military aid to Israel. VIDEO - The Fifth Annual Israeli Apartheid Week March 1 - 8, 2009 Israeli Apartheid Week 2/22/2009 Mark your calendars - the 5th Annual Israeli Apartheid Week will take place across the globe from March 1-8, 2009!First launched in Toronto in 2005, IAW has grown to become one of the most important global events in the Palestine solidarity calendar. Last year, more than 25 cities around the world participated in the week’s activities, which also commemorated 60 years since the expulsion of the Palestinian people from their homes and land in 1947-1948. IAW 2008 was launched with a live broadcast from the South African township of Soweto by Palestinian leader and former member of the Israeli Knesset, Azmi Bishara. This year, IAW occurs in the wake of Israel’s barbaric assault against the people of Gaza. Lectures, films, and actions will make the point that these latest massacres further confirm the true nature of Israeli Apartheid. IAW 2009 will continue to build and strengthen the growing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement at a global level. -- See also: YouTube: Israeli Apartheid Week 2009 Trailer VIDEO - Binyamin Netanyahu told to form Israeli government The Guardian 2/20/2009 Leader of Likud party has six weeks to build coalition that would make him prime minister. [end] VIDEO - Soldier who fired gunshots in Hebron to be jailed Hanan Greenberg, YNetNews 2/12/2009 (VIDEO) Corporal Nahum Ben-Yaakov of Givati Brigade arrested after Ynet publishes video showing him threatening, firing in air during clash between settlers, Palestinians. Plea bargain states soldier to serve five months in prison - VIDEO -An Israel Defense Forces soldier, who fired gunshots in the air during a clash between settlers and Palestinians near the West Bank Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba adjoining the city of Hebron, will serve five and a half months in prison, according to a plea bargain which will be presented to the court in the coming days. "The soldier’s actions were severe, so the punishment must deter all those holding weapons in their hands," a military source involved in the affair said Thursday. Initial ReportSoldier recorded firing gunshots in Hebron / Exclusive video obtained by Ynet reveals IDF ununiformed soldier. . . VIDEO - WATCH: Israeli TV show depicts Lieberman as Darth Vader-esque dictator Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 2/12/2009 Anticipating a massive surge for far-right party Yisrael Beiteinu, Israel’s popular satire TV show Eretz Nehederet (Wonderful Country) took aim at party leader Avigdor Lieberman on Tuesday night. Aired before the results were announced, the show depicts Lieberman as a dictatorial-style leader, whose entrance is accompanied by heavyset bodyguards and fierce looking dogs, and the Darth Vader music theme from the Star Wars movies. Following translation of the clip is courtesy of blogger and journalistLisa Goldman: The clip starts with Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Kadima chair Tzipi Livni claiming that each won the election. In identical speeches delivered simultaneously, both urge President Shimon Peres to give him/her the first crack at forming a government. VIDEO - Israel is the loser The Guardian 2/11/2009 Jonathan Freedland on the aftermath of elections in Israel and how the party with the largest share of the vote could still end up on the losing side. VIDEO - Kadima and Likud claim victory in Israel poll The Guardian 2/11/2009 Israeli elections produce the tightest of races with early results putting Tzipi Livni only narrowly ahead of Binyamin Netanyahu. [end] VIDEO - ’This is the speech of a kingmaker’ The Guardian 2/11/2009 Jonathan Freedland goes to Avigdor Lieberman’s campaign party in Jerusalem to watch the Israeli election results come in. [end] VIDEO - Beni Raz: the West Bank settler who wants to leave Peter Beaumont in Qarne Shomron, The Guardian 2/9/2009 Settler tells of threats of violence over call to buy out properties - Things are ugly in Qarne Shomron for Beni Raz. He’s a solid man in middle age with a deeply lined, expressive face. The day we meet, one of the residents of his West Bank settlement has tried to take down one of Raz’s posters calling for compensation for those who want to evacuate. He also threatens Raz with violence. Driving back to his home in the settlement, Raz tries to report the threat to a blue-shirted policeman wearing a kippa. He is fobbed off. As he walks away, exasperated, one of the small group of men who were standing with the policeman a Russian immigrant pursues Raz across the street and shouts at him. The problem is that Raz is out of step with most of the other settlers in Qarne Shomron. Raz wants the government to pass a law to buy out him and the other settlers who would like to leave the occupied West Bank. VIDEO - ’The Jewish majority should be afraid’ Peter Beaumont, John Domokos and Orly Halpern, The Guardian 2/8/2009 The Israeli-Arab town of Umm al-Fahm is at the centre of a struggle between Israel’s far right and its Arab minority. Local politicians say the rise of anti-Arab sentiment is a threat to the whole country. [end] VIDEO - Protestors disrupt Barcelona Israel basketball match Stop The Wall 2/6/2009 In Spain a dozen protestors disrupted the Barcelona Maccabi (Tel Aviv) basketball game. During the game, a number of people waved Palestinian flags as well as balloons and banners reading Boycott Israel and Stop the massacre in Gaza. At the end of first quarter, several protestors jumped onto the court, halting the match before being tackled and dragged out by security. There was a popular upsurge of anger during the destruction of Gaza, with mass mobilizations occurring throughout Europe. In Spain, hundreds of thousands demonstrated in more than a dozen cities across the country during the bombardment. A growing number of people and organizations are now actively working to further the international BDS movement, with various actions and campaigns springing up across Europe. -- See also: Video VIDEO - Israeli election: from Gaza to Jerusalem Peter Beaumont in Tel Aviv, The Guardian 2/6/2009 With Tzipi Livni dancing in nightclubs, politicians are anxious to court the cultural capital’s seemingly apolitical youth - Tel Aviv. The Bubble, locals call it: a city separate from Israel but indivisibly entwined with it as well. Here politics is seen through a different prism: youthful, sometimes apathetic, tolerant and secular. Creative and often left-field. It is not like Jerusalem another country, Tel Avivians joke, with its growing domination by ultra-orthodox haredis. You need a passport to go there, one adds, ironically. Nor is it like the south, the sprawling cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon, less than half an hour’s drive away. The mood there is defined by their proximity to missiles fired from inside Gaza. Nor is it like the vast soulless settlement blocks, and modern satellite towns that have been grafted crudely onto the ribbed limestone hills. -- See also: Blogging in the Tel Aviv 'Bubble': sidestepping politics for life and love VIDEO - Israeli Ambassador Yuval Rotem tells jewish community that Israel is prepairing to strike Iran soon D. H. Williams, Daily Newscaster (AU) 1/31/2009 Israels Ambassador to Australia caught on tape warning a group of Jewish Australians that the nation state of Israel plans to take offensive action against Iran in the next month[s]. While speaking to the Jewish community Ambassador Yuval Rotem let Israels plans toward Iran slip out. Referring to Iran Ambassador Rotem said, A realignment of forces that can handle the main strategic challenge we are all going to face in the upcoming month[s]. And there is going to be one. Ambassador Rotem realizing he was being recored quickly asked the camera to be turned off. VIDEO - WATCH: British Mandate-era arms cache found in Hod Hasharon synagogue Noa Kocharek and Yuval Goren, Ha’aretz 2/6/2009 Two Israeli curators on Thursday stumled upon an arms cache dating back to the British Mandate at a Synagogue in Hod Hasharon. The weapons, which included grenades and bullet casings, were apparently stored in the building by the Hagannah Jewish militia. Simcha Klein and Aviva Even-Hen, curators of the museum dedicated to the history of Hod Hasharon, found the arms while they were tidying rooms in the synagogue, which was crammed full of documents, pictures and old maps dating back to the beginning of the Zionist enterprise. "While searching the rooms, we came across one small tin box that contained grenades, and another that contained dozens of bullet casings," Klein said. "We then called the police, and sappers came and removed the weapons from the building. " VIDEO - Palestinians showcase new rocket Ali Waked, YNetNews 2/3/2009 Military wing of Popular Resistance Committees proudly displays footage documenting use of new rocket in attack against southern Israel - The Salah al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, released a video on Tuesday in which members of the terror group are seen firing a ’Sijil’ type rocket towards the Eshkol Regional Council in southern Israel. The organization claims that this is the first time a rocket of this type is fired from the Gaza Strip. Hamas has launched several rockets into the Eshkol region over the past several days, and the exact date of the footage has not been confirmed. On Tuesday morning a Grad missile landed in the city of Ashkelon, damaging property but causing no injuries. The IDF responded with a series of airstrikes against smuggling tunnels in Rafah. VIDEO - Gaza survivor describes day 48 members of family were killed in attack The Guardian 1/30/2009 10-year-old Mona Samouni describes how she became one of the very few survivors of the Samouni extended family, after an attack on the densely populated area of Zeitoun - Warning: Contains footage that some viewers may find distressing. [end] VIDEO - Recep Erdogan ’storms out’ of Davos Gaza debate The Guardian 1/30/2009 Turkish prime minister in angry clash with Israeli president Shimon Peres over ’very wrong’ offensive against Palestinian territory. [end] VIDEO - Gaza: Families in the rubble of Jabal al Rayas The Guardian 1/29/2009 Peter Beaumont, in Gaza, meets the Salaam and Khader families, struggling to survive in homemade shelters without food, clothes or any belongings. Everything they need is buried beneath the rubble. [end] VIDEO - Gaza: A family’s devastation The Guardian 1/28/2009 Majdi al-Athanma lost 18 members of his family in a 2006 Israeli shelling. He describes how the recent Israeli offensive has shattered his life again. [end] VIDEO - A call from the ruins of Beit Lahiya Fida Qishta, The Guardian 1/28/2009 A Beit Lahiya resident stands in front of the ruins of his home calling for aid and diplomacy towards a two state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [end] VIDEO - Ali Abunimah discusses Obama’s presidency with 'progressives' Video, GRITtv, Electronic Intifada 1/28/2009 From closing Guantanamo to lifting the gag rule Bush era policies are coming to an end. But is it a new era of progressive government? Katrina vanden Heuvel editor and publisher of The Nation, Mark Green President of Air America Radio and the author of Change for America: A Progressive Blueprint for the 44th President, Andrea Batista Schlesinger Executive Director of the Drum Major Institute, and Ali Abunimah Co-Founder of The Electronic Intifada and the author of One Country: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse discuss Obama’s first week in office and whether a new era of government has been inaugurated. They spoke on the program GRITtv hosted by Laura Flander... VIDEO - Gaza ceasefire of critical importance, says US envoy Peter Walker, Ewen MacAskill, Rory McCarthy and agencies, The Guardian 1/28/2009 A continued ceasefire in Gaza is of "critical importance", Barack Obama’s Middle East peace envoy, George Mitchell said today, as Israeli jets bombed smuggling tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border amid the worst violence in the territory since a truce began 10 days ago. Mitchell arrived in Israel this afternoon after talks in Cairo with the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak. In Jerusalem, he held talks with the Israeli president, Shimon Peres, and was due to meet the prime minister, Ehud Olmert, before travelling to the West Bank to see the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas. " It is of critical importance that the ceasefire be extended and consolidated, and we support Egypt’s continuing efforts in that regard," Mitchell told reporters after talking with Mubarak. "The United States is committed to vigorously pursuing lasting peace and stability in the region. " VIDEO - Israeli soldier and Palestinian killed in attacks near Gaza border Peter Walker and agencies, The Guardian 1/27/2009 Roadside bombing close to crossing point Farmer shot dead by troops - An Israeli soldier and a Palestinian man were killed in Gaza today during the most serious outbreak of violence since a ceasefire came into force nine days ago. The soldier was killed, and three others injured, in a roadside bombing near the Kissufim crossing between central Gaza and Israel. The blast, the first major breach of the informal weeklong truce, also wounded three soldiers and triggered a brief battle when Israeli soldiers briefly crossed the border in search of the attackers. A 27-year-old Palestinian farmer was shot dead by Israeli troops in the same area. Local people reported seeing Israeli tanks and bulldozers crossing the border. Israel responded with an air strike in the south of Gaza. Hamas said one of its members was injured in the attack while riding a motorbike near the town of Khan Younis. VIDEO - Obama ’seeks to repair damage’ in Middle East diplomacy drive Mark Tran and agencies, The Guardian 1/27/2009 "My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy. We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect," Obama said in the interview, recorded yesterday. - In a signal of his desire to repair the diplomatic damage of the George Bush era, Obama chose to give his first formal television interview since becoming US president to the Arabic cable TV network al-Arabiya. In it, he said the US sometimes made mistakes, but stressed that his administration would adopt a more open diplomatic approach than his predecessor’s. Obama renewed his pledge to make an address in the capital of a major Muslim country, pointed out that he had lived in Indonesia for several years while growing up, and said his travels through Muslim states had convinced him that, regardless of faith, people had certain common hopes and dreams. VIDEO - TV appeal for Gaza raises 1m despite BBC and Sky refusal Jenny Percival and Vikram Dodd, The Guardian 1/27/2009 Donations to an emergency fund for Gaza have doubled despite the refusal of the BBC and Sky News to broadcast an appeal that was shown on three other channels last night. The number of complaints to the BBC also rose overnight and now stands at more than 21,000, with just 380 writing in support of the corporation’s stance. At the same time, a parliamentary motion criticising the BBC’s decision has grown in popularity and has attracted the signatures of MPs from all parties. The BBC is also being threatened with a lawsuit alleging its decision to ban the charity appeal for Gaza from its airwaves was discriminatory, the Guardian has learned. The case is being brought on behalf of 42 people who say they were offended by the corporation’s decision. They will argue that the ban discriminated against the Palestinian people because the BBC refused to allow a charity appeal for them to be broadcast, VIDEO - Reporter’s diary: Gaza’s tunnels Al Jazeera 1/27/2009 The network of cross-border tunnels remains a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians - While Israel waged their bloodiest assault on Gaza in decades, their warplanes targeted tunnels on Gaza’s border with Egypt in an effort to halt alleged arms shipments. Now, Palestinians are busy restoring the bomb-damaged tunnels, and consumer goods are starting to flow into Gaza again. Al Jazeera’s Jeremy Young describes the process of filming inside them. The famous tunnels in the southern part of the Gaza Strip are easy to find. Everybody knows where they are, but getting inside is another story. Israel has maintained its blockade of Gaza, preventing goods from being imported, and Palestinians use the tunnels to transport every product imaginable from northern Egypt into the territory. The Israelis argue that the tunnels are used by Hamas to smuggle in weapons. -- See also: VIDEO - Gaza tunnels are open for business VIDEO - Broken Dreams of Gaza Al Jazeera 1/26/2009 In 2005 filmmaker Mariam Shahin recorded the hopes and aspirations of both ordinary and extraordinary people living in Gaza. From bright young high school graduates to an antiquities dealer. From an entrepreneur who had high hopes for a prosperous future, to Gaza’s only girls rowing team. Shahin met the people who saw a glimmer of hope for Gaza in the period following the Israeli withdrawal from the Strip in 2005. She returned to Gaza in 2007 and found a very different mood. The peace process had faltered, internal strife had erupted, and Israel had tightened its siege. Finally she caught up with some of the same characters to find out how they have coped under Israel’s recent war on Gaza. Where optimism once flowered briefly, dreams have been dashed and survival is now the main concern for Gazans. VIDEO - Channels air Gaza aid appeal despite BBC and Sky refusal Leigh Holmwood, The Guardian 1/26/2009 Britain’s commercial terrestrial broadcasters this evening went ahead with a humanitarian aid appeal for Gaza, despite Sky News joining the BBC in refusing to screen it. Pressure mounted on the BBC throughout the day to back down on its decision to reject the appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee, an umbrella group of humanitarian charities including Oxfam, Save the Children and the Red Cross, but it resisted, saying to broadcast the film risked compromising its impartiality. The BBC confirmed it had received 15,500 complaints over its decision, while its own staff and broadcasting unions joined in the criticism. The two-minute appeal, which featured a professional voiceover on top of images of the recent conflict in Gaza, aired first on ITV1 at 6. 25pm, just before the channel’s main evening news. It was due to be followed by Channel Five at 7. VIDEO - Talking with the Enemy Al Jazeera 1/26/2009 In the summer of 2006, General Udi Adam - then Head of Israel’s Northern Command - ordered his troops on alert. He had received warnings that Hezbollah was planning to capture Israeli soldiers to exchange for its own prisoners held in Israel. On July 12, 2006, the Lebanese group did indeed seize two Israeli troops, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. The cross-border raid provoked a massive Israeli bombardment and incursion. Despite the death of as many as 1,200 Lebanese and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers, Israel failed to win the freedom of its soldiers. The subsequent negotiations and exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah over a possible prisoner exchange, beginning in 2006, reveal a high-stakes game of tough and tortuous bargaining between deadly foes over prisoners and corpses. The process eventually led to the return of the remains of the two dead Israeli soldiers in exchange for VIDEO - The War On Palestine (Gaza) Haitham Sabbah, Palestine Think Tank 1/25/2009 Song by The Dark Bob: [end] VIDEO - War on Gaza - the aftermath The Guardian 1/23/2009 Residents of Jabalya refugee camp, north of Gaza City, pick up the pieces of their lives from the rubble of Israeli bombing. [end] VIDEO - Journey Home Al Jazeera 1/23/2009 The troubled past of Israel’s birth as a nation and the devastating consequences it has had in the region frequently make headlines around the world and fill our screens with images of political turmoil. But the reality of what six decades of displacement has meant for the day to day lives of those who have lived there rarely makes the news. Al Jazeeras news editor, Awad Joumaa went on a journey spanning two continents and three countries to bring that reality to life. In his moving and deeply personal film Journey Home, Awad took his father from Denmark back to the place he was born, but has never known. [end] VIDEO - Ban Ki-moon outraged at Gaza devastation The Guardian 1/21/2009 UN secretary general visits Gaza Strip and city of Sderot, in southern Israel, as part of Middle East peacekeeping tour [end] VIDEO - Gaza doctors struggle to treat deadly burns consistent with white phosphorus Rory McCarthy in Gaza City, The Guardian 1/20/2009 Doctors in Gaza described today how they had struggled to treat dozens of patients with terrible and unusually deadly burns consistent with white phosphorus weapons, during Israel’s three-week war in Gaza. Nafiz Abu Shabaan, head of the burns unit at Shifa hospital and the most senior burns surgeon in Gaza, said 60 to 70 patients had died in his unit during the war from severe burns that were unlike any injury he had previously seen. Patients with only relatively small burn injuries, which ought to be survivable, were dying unexpectedly. His account, along with evidence from survivors, corroborates mounting evidence from groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International that the Israeli military fired phosphorus shells into populated areas of Gaza in direct violation of international humanitarian law. Amnesty said it believes Israel is guilty of a war crime. VIDEO - WATCH / Inside Israel medical center for Gaza residents Rachel Neiman, Israel21c, Ha’aretz 1/21/2009 As a truce between Israel and Hamas gets underway after three weeks of fighting, Magen David Adom emergency service Israel, in cooperation with the Israeli government, has opened a medical center at the Erez Crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel, to serve Gaza citizens. [end] VIDEO - Gaza film shows white phosphorus from alleged Israeli attack Robert Booth, The Guardian 1/19/2009 The Guardian has obtained vivid footage of the effect of white phosphorus allegedly used by Israel during a bomb attack on Gaza last week. The film was made by Fida Qishta, a camerawoman working for the International Solidarity Movement, a non-governmental organisation operating in Gaza. It was shot on Wednesday 14 January in Khoza’a, east of Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip. It shows clumps of the burning chemical on the ground as locals try to put it out by covering it with dust, mud and grass. The chemical, which locals describe as phosphorus, fails to go out and continues to burn through the debris piled upon it. As they kick it about, it subdivides into smaller lumps and continues to burn. The use of white phosphorus as a weapon as opposed to its use as an obscurant and infrared blocking smoke screen is banned by the United Nation’s third convention on conventional weapons, which covers the use of incendiary devices. VIDEO - White phosphorus in Gaza: the victims The Guardian 1/19/2009 Ayman al Najar, 13, tells how he lost his sister, grandfather and cousin in a bomb attack on 14 January in Khoza’a, southern Gaza. Five days later his wounds still will not heal. [end] VIDEO - Israelis withdraw from Gaza as Hamas remains defiant The Guardian 1/19/2009 Israel’s troops take up positions on Israeli side of border with Gaza as tentative truce holds [end] VIDEO - Shocking evidence of Israeli phosphorus use in Gaza emerges Richard Norton-Taylor, The Guardian 1/17/2009 Residents of Khuza’a, near Khan Younis, describe Israeli soldiers shooting at people attempting to rescue wounded, at women waving white flags, an Israeli bulldozer attempting to bury civilians alive, snipers shooting women in the street, civilians shelled with phosphorus - Fresh evidence of the firing of white phosphorus weapons by Israeli forces in Gaza has emerged from witnesses heard by the Guardian and first hand accounts by human rights groups of their use against civilians. Graphic descriptions of attacks by Israeli forces near the Gaza town of Khan Younis are contained in footage shot by Fida Qishta for the International Solidarity Movement and obtained by the Guardian. A woman described how on Tuesday Israeli forces "started to fire phosphorus bombs against the people, of course, they are civilians. . . " A man added: "A fire broke out and we have to leave out. -- See also: Israel accused of war crimes over 12-hour assault on Gaza village VIDEO - Gazan Doctor's children killed while he is speaking to Israeli TV Mary Rizzo, Palestine Think Tank 1/16/2009 A friend of mine sent something unusual, a link to a blog post talking about a Gazan doctor who normally works near Tel Aviv, who often reports to Channel 10. During one of his reports, the ultimate tragedy strikes. [end] -- See also: Dr. Loses Kids to IDF Bomb During Interview to Israeli TV Video shows evidence of phosphorus bombs in Gaza Richard Norton-Taylor, The Guardian 1/16/2009 Gaza doctors detail burns to entire victims’ bodies from chemical that is forbidden to be used as a weapon - Video showing injuries consistent with the use of white phosphorus shells has been filmed inside hospitals treating Palestinian wounded in Gaza City. Contact with the shell remnants causes severe burns, sometimes burning the skin to the bone, consistent with descriptions by Ahmed Almi, an Egyptian doctor at the al-Nasser hospital in Khan Younis. Almi said the entire body of one victim was burned within an hour. It was the first time he had seen the effects of what he called a "chemical weapon". The Israeli military has denied using white phosphorus during the assault on Gaza, but aid agencies say they have no doubt it has been used." It is an absolute certainty," said Marc Garlasco, a senior military analyst at Human Rights Watch. VIDEO - Phosphorus bombs in Gaza the evidence The Guardian 1/16/2009 On Tuesday 13 January Israeli forces attacked Khoza’a, a small rural community east of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip. Missiles containing white phosphorus were deployed. Dr Ahmed Almi from the al-Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis describes serious injuries and chemical burns, with victims covered in a white powder that continues to burn long after initial exposure. Warning: contains graphic footage of war injuries. VIDEO - Gaza: lives in ruins The Guardian 1/16/2009 On January 14, Gazans from Khoza’a near Khan Younis were fired upon and forced to flee their homes. Thirteen were killed and 50 injured, and the whole areas was then destroyed by Israeli forces. Picking through the rubble of their ruined homes, former residents allege a series of human rights abuses in these personal testimonies. [end] VIDEO - Gaza conflict: day 21 The Guardian 1/16/2009 Israeli forces continue to attack Gaza City and hundreds attend funeral of prominent Hamas leader, Said Siam. [end] VIDEO - Pro-Israel Rally in NYC Palestine Think Tank 1/16/2009 Shocking video where Pro-Israel Americans take to the streets in NYC and Alternet interviews them to hear their views on why it is right to "Wipe Gaza off the Map". If any of these comments were made regarding Jews or Israel, there would be an uproar. But… we know all of that by now. On January 11, an estimated 10,000 people rallied in front of the Israeli consulate in midtown New York in support of Israel’s attack on the Gaza Strip. The rally, which was organized by UJA-Federation of New York and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York in cooperation with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, featured speeches by New York’s most senior lawmakers. While the crowd was riled to righteous anger by speeches about Hamas evildoers, the event was a festive affair that began and ended with singing and joyous dancing. VIDEO - Gaza conflict: day 20 The Guardian 1/15/2009 UN refugee agency headquarters hit by Israeli artillery fire [white phosphorus, according to UN official John Ging] damaging thousands of tonnes of food, medical supplies - and the Reuters building [end] VIDEO - WATCH / Obama: We must engage Syria and Iran in Middle East peace efforts Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 1/15/2009 U. S. president-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday said that he is going to work toward a comprehensive peace in the Middle East "on day one" of presidency on January 20, and that would include Iran and Syria. "We’re going to have to take a regional approach," said Obama in an interview with CBS Evening News. "We’re going to have to involve Syria in discussions. We’re going to have to engage Iran in ways that we have not before. " "We’ve got to have a clear bottom line that Israel’s security is paramount," Obama said. However, he also reiterated his commitment to the long-standing peace plan between Israelis and Palestinians: "We have to create a two-state solution where people can live side by side in peace," he said. Obama has avoided discussing what he would do to end the violence in Gaza, but has said, "The loss of civilian lives in Gaza and in Israel is a source of deep concern for me. " VIDEO - Gaza conflict: Day 18 The Guardian 1/14/2009 The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, reiterates his call for a ceasefire while northern Israel comes under fire from Lebanon and a strike hits a cemetery in Gaza City [end] VIDEO - Children of Gaza The Guardian 1/13/2009 A freelance filmmaker in Gaza shot this material for Save the Children at a UN-supported school for pupils displaced from their homes by the Israeli bombings [end] VIDEO - Gaza survival The Guardian 1/13/2009 While Israel continues to bombard Gaza, one family describes their struggle to survive in the Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City [end] VIDEO - WATCH: IDF drops leaflets over Gaza, warning of impending attack Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 1/12/2009 The Israel Defense Forces said it is making every effort to prevent civilian deaths during its current operation in the Gaza Strip. The army has continued its policy from the Second Lebanon War of dropping leaflets over civilian areas notifying them of their intent to bomb the area. The IDF dropped leaflets on Gaza City on Saturday, amid heavy aerial bombing, warning of a wider offensive. "The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] is not working against the people of Gaza but against Hamas and the terrorists only," the leaflets said in Arabic. "Stay safe by following our orders. "On Sunday, it dropped additional leaflets urging Gaza residents to report the whereabouts of Hamas fighters, even providing a phone number to call. "You can call the numbers listed below to inform us about the locations of rocket launchers, warehouses,. . . VIDEO / 30 Gaza rockets strike Negev, one person lightly wounded Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 1/10/2009 Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired a barrage of at least 30 rockets at southern Israel on Friday, just hours after the United Nations passed a resolution calling for an immediate truce between Israel and Hamas. At least seven rockets hit the western Negev by 8 A. M. , all of them striking cities previously considered out of the range of rocket fire. Four Grad rockets exploded in open fields near Be’er Sheva at around 7 A. M. , two more rockets struck the Ashkelon area just after and minutes later, a seventh hit Ashdod. There were no casualties reported in any of those incidents. Another two rockets exploded in fields near Ashkelon just before 8 A. M. Three more Grads struck near Be’er Sheva at around 10 A. M. and another hit the area before noon. Two rockets exploded in the Eshkol Regional Council just before 9 A. VIDEO - US abstains as UN backs Gaza ceasefire The Guardian 1/9/2009 Security council passes resolution calling for immediate ceasefire in Gaza conflict, but Washington fails to add its voice to international criticism of Israeli offensive [end] VIDEO - WATCH: U.S. House passes landslide vote backing Israel in fight against Hamas Reuters, Ha’aretz 1/10/2009 The U. S. House of Representatives on Friday passed a resolution "recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza" by a majority of 390-5. Lawmakers in Washington routinely pass nonbinding resolutions supporting Israel during Middle East crises. The Senate on Thursday backed Israel’s battle against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip and the House of Representatives followed on Friday. Even U. S. lawmakers who express sympathy for the Palestinians have hesitated to call themselves pro-Palestinian and voice strong support for the security of Israel as well, hewing to decades of close U. S. -Israeli ties. Watch comments from US Senate representatives voicing their support for Israel: "When these events occur, there’s almost a knee-jerk reaction of Congress that endorses 1,000 percent what Israel is doing," said Nick Rahall, a West Virginia Democrat and Lebanese-American. . . VIDEO - Rafah razed International Solidarity Movement, The Guardian 1/8/2009 Video supplied to the Guardian by the International Solidarity Movement shows razed suburbs of town of Rafah close to border between Gaza and Egypt [end] VIDEO - WATCH: Olmert spokesman says Israel never sought war in Gaza Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 1/9/2009 Mark Regev says Gaza operation preceded by dozens of rockets fired at southern Israel, despite warnings to Hamas to end attacks. VIDEO - Popular protests against the annihilation of Gaza all over Palestine Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign, Stop The Wall 1/8/2009 Mass demonstrations, vigils and protests in solidarity with Gaza have erupted all over Palestine. The call for an immediate end to the brutal massacre of Gaza, for national unity and the liberation of Palestine, have dominated the mobilization everywhere. Below are a few videos of the protests - Jayyous: the mobilization against the Apartheid Wall has turned into ongoing protests against the annihilation of Gaza: Bethlehem: Instead of Christmas and New Years celebrations, people were out in the streets to protest the crimes in Gaza. Nazareth: Palestinians within the Green Line gather in huge protests to call for an immediate halt of the Israeli crimes on Gaza. VIDEO - Israeli shelling kills dozens at UN school in Gaza The Guardian 1/6/2009 More than 40 Palestinians are believed to have died when Israeli missiles exploded outside a UN school being used as a shelter from the ongoing Gaza offensive [end] VIDEO - Aid worker in Gaza The Guardian 1/6/2009 Hatem Al Shurrab describes what it is like to be an aid worker with the British based charity Islamic Relief Worldwide in Gaza [end] VIDEO - Israel looks to drive out Hamas Chris McGreal in Jerusalem, The Guardian 1/6/2009 Officials push for regime change Islamist party ’fatally damaged’ Both sides reject calls for ceasefire - Israeli intelligence and military officials are increasingly pushing for the assault on Gaza to continue until it assures the eventual downfall of Hamas amid assertions that the 10 days of military bombardment have crippled the Islamist party’s ability to govern. As the onslaught progresses, officials are more confident of "changing the equation" in Gaza and are predicting the collapse of the Hamas administration. Last night, Israeli forces bombed the centre of Gaza, and there were reports of intense clashes with Hamas fighters on the edge of the city. But the fighting and the occupation of parts of the north and centre of the Gaza Strip did not stop Hamas from firing more than 40 rockets into Israel. The death toll from 10 days of fighting has risen above 550. Those killed yesterday included 13 members of the same family killed in their house by Israeli tank fire east of Gaza city. VIDEO - West Bank feels betrayed by its leaders The Independent 1/6/2009 In the West Bank the gap between the public and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is widening, following disappointment that Abbas has pointed out explicitly Hamas’ responsibility in the crisis over Israel’s offensive on Gaza. [end] VIDEO - ’As I ran I saw three of my children. All dead’ Hazem Balousha in Gaza City and Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 1/6/2009 The small dead bodies were laid next to one another on the tiled floor of the morgue corridor, the blood drained from their cheeks. One had a bandage still wrapped around his head, another lay with his mouth half-open in his oversized, bloodstained clothes. For a week the Samouni family had taken shelter in their small, single-storey home in Zeitoun, south-east of Gaza City, and there they survived wave after wave of Israeli bombing and artillery strikes. Then came Israel’s ground offensive, the next phase in what Israel argues is a necessary and justified battle against the Palestinian militants firing rockets out of Gaza. The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, promised an "iron fist" for Hamas and said he would treat the civilian citizens of Gaza with "silk gloves," though the Palestinians of Gaza know perhaps better than most that there are few silk gloves in war. VIDEO - Israeli troops and Hamas fighters clash in streets of Gaza City Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, Haroon Siddique, The Guardian 1/5/2009 Israeli soldiers and Hamas militants fought gun battles in the streets of Gaza City for the first time this morning, leaving at least 10 children dead as the offensive against the Palestinian territory continued. Gaza health officials reported 537 people dead, including some 200 civilians, since Israel embarked on its military campaign against Hamas Islamists on 27 December. A further 2,300 people have been reported injured. Today’s fighting, with Israeli troops now going house to house searching for Hamas fighters, came as Israeli forces seized control of large parts of the Gaza Strip, dividing the territory and forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes under relentless artillery and gunfire. VIDEO - Israeli troops push deep into Gaza Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 1/4/2009 Israeli tanks and thousands of troops today battled Hamas fighters as they pushed deep into the Gaza strip in a dramatic escalation of the conflict which has killed more than 30 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier since the ground invasion began. Soldiers reached as far as the Mediterranean coast, cutting Gaza in half and seizing control of large areas of the overcrowded territory. Israel’s ground operation, which had been widely expected, began on Saturday night, the eighth of the conflict, and is the biggest assault on Gaza since Israel withdrew its Jewish settlers in 2005. Television footage showed troops wearing night vision goggles, their faces painted in camouflage, marching in single file across the border. Palestinian medical sources said more than 30 Palestinians had been killed in the offensive since midnight three Hamas fighters and the rest civilians. The Israeli soldier was killed by mortar fire early this morning in northern Gaza, the first Israeli fatality in the ground offensive, the army said. VIDEO - Gaza: Gordon Brown calls for immediate ceasefire The Guardian 1/4/2009 Prime minister appears on BBC’s Andrew Marr show to talk about the situation in Gaza Strip [end] VIDEO - Thousands call for Gaza peace in London protest The Guardian 1/4/2009 Demonstrators call for end to violence after week of Israeli air strikes on Gaza VIDEO - WATCH: Amid Gaza violence, Israeli and Palestinian doctors save baby’s life Israel21c, Ha’aretz 1/5/2009 As rockets rained down in Israel and Gaza, doctors from both sides united in a successful bid to keep a two-week-old Palestinian baby boy alive. Save a Child’s Heart, which carried out the operation, has for the past 10 years performed life-saving heart surgery on around 2,000 children from all over the world, including the West Bank and Gaza, Africa, Eastern Europe and even Vietnam and China. [end] VIDEO - Israeli army attack funeral of Mohammed Khawaje, the second martyr from Ni’lin in four days International Solidarity Movement 1/3/2009 Ramallah Region - Video - Photos - At around 9pm on the 31st December, Mohammed Al-Khawaje died as a result of severe brain damage following being shot in the forehead the previous Sunday. At 10:30, his body was taken from the hospital in Ramallah in a funeral procession to Ni’lin attended by around 2,500 people. During this time, soldiers were shooting tear-gas in the town to welcome the procession. At 11:30, his body was taken to his family home in Upper Ni’lin in order for the women of the family to pay their last respects. He was then taken out of the ambulance at the army checkpoint at the entrance to Ni’lin to be taken to the mosque in the centre of the town. There were around 50 soldiers and border police waiting for the procession on hills around the checkpoint, and also occupying the roof of a family’s home. VIDEO - WATCH: Israeli troops launch ground incursion in Gaza Strip Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 1/4/2009 Israel entered the second week of its offensive against rockets from Hamas-ruled Gaza on Saturday evening by launching a much-expected ground operation into the coastal strip. [end] VIDEO - Cynthia McKinney on the Israeli ramming of the activist boat CNN, YouTube, Palestine Think Tank 1/3/2009 Congresswoman McKinney is one of the most admirable persons on this entire planet. In this video, while she describes what has happened to the Free Gaza Boat "The Dignity", she reminds Americans of their responsibility in all of this. [end] VIDEO - Gaza: Life under bombardment The Guardian 1/2/2009 Hatem al-Shurrab, an aid worker for the Gaza-based Islamic Relief organisation, has kept a video diary of the last few days to show what conditions have been like since Israeli air strikes began. [end] VIDEO - Gaza braces itself for ground invasion The Guardian 1/2/2009 Residents in Gaza are preparing themselves for a possible ground invasion after Hamas leader Nizar Rayan was killed in the latest Israeli attacks. [end] VIDEO - Gaza attacks continue as UN calls for ceasefire The Guardian 1/1/2009 Israeli air strikes are targeting government buildings in Gaza as international pressure for a ceasefire builds [end] VIDEO - Livni: No legitimacy to Hamas through truce talks Roni Sofer, YNetNews 1/1/2009 (Video) Foreign minister meets President Sarkozy, French counterpart in Paris, says Israel is rejecting ’humanitarian ceasefire’ offered by his country because no humanitarian crisis exists in Gaza - VIDEO - Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met Thursday with Frebch President Nicolas Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner for talks on the situation in Gaza. Livni told Kouchner that Israel was rejecting his country’s ’humanitarian ceasefire’ proposal. Officials in Livni’s office said no humanitarian crisis exists in Gaza, therefore there is no need for a ceasefire of this sort. During their meeting in Paris Kouchner condemned the rocket fire from Gaza towards the southern communities of Israel and said that his country sees Hamas as a terror organization. VIDEO - Free Gaza Movement: Dignity docks in Lebanon Al-Jazeera English, International Solidarity Movement 12/31/2008 (Lebanon, Tuesday 30 December) Today the Free Gaza ship "Dignity" carefully made its way to safe harbor in Tyre, Lebanon’s southern-most port city after receiving serious structural damage when Israeli warships rammed its bow and the port side, Waiting to greet the passengers and crew were thousands of Lebanese who came out to show their solidarity with this attempt to deliver volunteer doctors and desperately needed medical supplies to war-ravaged Gaza. The Lebanese government has pledged to provide a forensic analysis of what happened in the dark morning, when Israel rammed the mercy ship in international waters, and put the people on board in danger of losing their lives. The Dignity was on a mission of mercy to besieged Gaza, and was attacked by. . . VIDEO - Ni’lin holds funeral for Arafat al Khawaja International Solidarity Movement 12/31/2008 29th December 2008 - Funeral for the 22 year old resident of Ni’lin village killed by Israeli army while protesting against Israeli massacres in Gaza. After the Israeli attacks against Gaza strip, Ni’lin village has been continuously protesting in solidarity with the people in Gaza. Photos courtesy Activestills - During the demonstration on the 28th December, Israeli soldiers used live ammunition against the protesters, hitting three people from the village. 22 year old Arafat Khawaja, was killed after having been shot in the back. The two others were Mohammed Khawaja, 19, who was declared brain damaged yesterday afternoon after taking a bullet in the forehead and Mohamed Srour who was shot in the leg. At around 10am a procession of vehicles followed the ambulance carrying the body of Arafat from Ramallah hospital. VIDEO -Cabinet: Gaza op will not end under fire Roni Sofer, YNetNews 12/31/2008 (Video) National Security Cabinet orders Gaza offensive continue unless rocket fire on south, western Negev stops - srael News VIDEO - Day five of Operation Cast Lead saw the National Security Cabinet decide to forge on with the Gaza offensive. "Israel did not launch the Gaza offensive only to end it while rockets are still fired at us," said Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. "Can you imagine ending the operation unilaterally after a few days only to have a rocket barrage hit Ashkelon? Israel has been restraining itself for years. We gave the ceasefire a fair chance and we did it knowing there would be a price; we did it so the residents of the south could have some sort of a normal life, free of Color Red alerts every few minutes. We were willing to give it a try but Hamas kept violating the truce. " VIDEO - Interviews with residents of Rafah International Solidarity Movement 12/29/2008 Video -This is a longer video report, including interviews, of the aftermath of the bombing of the pharmacy in Hi Alijnina on the 28th December. Video by ISM Gaza Strip Shortly before 7:00am on Sunday 28th December, yet another Israeli missile strike hit the residential neighbourhood of Hi Alijnina in the southern Gaza town of Rafah. This time a pharmacy was targeted, totally destroying the building and causing severe damage to surrounding homes. Electricity lines were torn down during the blast and the street was littered with medicines. This footage was filmed within minutes of the attack as fire fighters battled to control the blaze. Shocked residents poured into the streets, some still wearing pyjamas. VIDEO -Grad rocket lands in Kiryat Malachi Shmulik Hadad, YNetNews 12/30/2008 (Video) Attack marks first time city and its surrounding area targeted by Palestinian gunmen in Gaza; another rocket hits north of Beersheba near Rahat. One person suffers shock as rocket lands in Ashdod area. At least 30 rockets fired toward Israel since late morning hours; IAF jets hit underground tunnels in Rafah area - VIDEO - A Grad rocket fired from northern Gaza landed in the city of Kiryat Malachi on Tuesday afternoon. There were no reports of injuries or damage. The attack marked the first time that the city and its surrounding areas have been targeted. Kiryat Malachi is located 17 kilometers (11 miles) northeast of Ashkelon and 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Israel’s border with Gaza. Several were fired from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday evening. One of them exploded in the Ashdod area, without causing damage. VIDEO - Free Gaza Movement: URGENT! Israeli Navy Attacking Civilian Mercy Ship! TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY! International Solidarity Movement 12/30/2008 Gaza Region - Video report from CNN - Press Release by the Free Gaza Movement: The Dignity, a Free Gaza boat on a mission of mercy to besieged Gaza, is being attacked by the Israeli Navy in international waters. The Dignity has been surrounded by at least half-a-dozen Israeli warships. They are firing live ammunition around the Dignity, and one of the warships has rammed the civilian craft causing an unknown amount of damage. Contrary to international maritime law, the Israelis are actively preventing the Dignity from approaching Gaza or finding safe haven in either Egypt or Lebanon. Instead, the Israeli navy is demanding that the Dignity return to Cyprus - despite the fact that the ship does not carry enough fuel to do so. Fortunately, no one aboard the ship has yet been seriously injured. VIDEO / Mubarak: We’ll open Gaza crossing only if PA takes control News Agencies, Ha’aretz 12/31/2008 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Tuesday that his government will not fully open its crossing into the Gaza Strip unless Mahmoud Abbas’ Palestinian Authority is in control of the border post. The speech Tuesday from Mubarak came despite criticism of Egypt in the Arab world over its refusal over the past year to open the Rafah crossing, which has helped complete an Israeli blockade of the territory. Since Israel’s offensive in Gaza began Saturday, Egypt has allowed some wounded to cross from Gaza for treatment and some humanitarian supplies to enter the territory. But Egypt resists dealing with the Islamic militant Hamas because it opposes the militant group’s 2007 takeover of the Gaza Strip and insists Abbas is the legitimate Palestinian leader. Yemenites storm Egyptian consulate to protest Cairo’s Gaza policy. . . VIDEO - Palestinian stabs 4 in Modi’in Illit Judy Siegel-itzkovich And Jpost.com Staff, Jerusalem Post 12/29/2008 A Palestinian laborer stabbed and wounded four Israelis Monday in the West Bank settlement of Modi’in Illit before he was shot and wounded by a volunteer medic, police and rescue officials said. The morning attack in the haredi community, located just over the Green Line adjacent to Modi’in, left one victim seriously wounded, and three others lightly hurt. The Palestinian assailant, who had worked in the settlement for over a decade, was shot and seriously wounded by Kobi Rosenstein, a settlement security official who volunteers with Magen David Adom, the rescue service said. Israel Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the stabbing was a "spontaneous" act in response to Israel’s three-day aerial offensive against Hamas targets in Gaza. Initial reports of a second attack in the community an hour after the first were unfounded, he added. VIDEO / Egyptian paper: Hamas leaders partially responsible for Gaza assault Yoav Stern, Ha’aretz 12/30/2008 An editorial published in the Egyptian weekly Al-Ahram on Monday argues that the Hamas leadership, who kept silent as Palestinian militants fired rockets at Israel, is partially to blame for the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip, which has killed at least 300 Palestinians in the last three days. "If you can’t kill the wolf, don’t pull its tail" says the article. Since Saturday, Egypt has been under media attack by Hamas and various Islamic organizations in the Arab world, for collaborating with Israel. The attack peaked Sunday when Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah called on Egyptians to come out in protest against their government. The Egyptian government rejects claims it is in collusion with Israel, indicating that it had warned against such an Israeli response if Gaza militants continued to fire rockets. VIDEO - IAF strikes Hamas rocket chief’s home Yaakov Katz And Jpost.com Staff, Jerusalem Post 12/29/2008 An IAF aircraft on Monday night struck the home of Maher Zakut, the commander of Hamas’s rocket-firing forces, the army said. In was unclear whether Zakut was in the house at the time. Palestinian sources said that seven people were killed in the strike. According to reports, several more targets were struck in the Strip. Several secondary explosions were caused by the strike because of a large weapons warehouse alongside the senior operative’s house. Five people were reportedly killed when an IAF aircraft targeted a car. Palestinian sources reported that 14 people were killed in air-strikes Monday evening. The air force also struck a truck carrying Grad-type missiles, setting off a series of secondary explosions, the IDF said. The army believes that Hamas was transferring the missiles to a hideout out of fear that their location had been compromised. VIDEO - IAF continues to strike Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets throughout Gaza VIDEO - WATCH: Israel’s attack on Gaza from the missiles’ point of view Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 12/29/2008 For the first time since Israel launched a large-scale campaign against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, the Israel Navy joined the Israel Air Force on Monday in the attacks. The targets of Monday’s assault, among others, were the office of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and a residence adjacent to his house. Dozens of stations and offices were bombed across the Strip, as did Hamas naval vessels. This is what it looked like. . . VIDEO - Gaza air strikes The Guardian 12/29/2008 Gaza air strikes - Israel has continued its attacks on Hamas in Gaza, with reports of more than 300 dead including at least 100 civilians [end] Video of the devastation in Gaza International Solidarity Movement 12/28/2008 Gaza Region -Video by ISM Gaza Strip - 27th December 2008 - A massive Israeli military operation began throughout the Gaza Strip today. Multiple Israeli air strikes hit many different areas this morning and continued sporadically throughout the day. The destruction was widespread. At the time of writing over 200 people have been killed with the death toll still rising. Hundreds of people have been injured, many severely. These images were filmed shortly after one of the bombings in the southern Gaza town of Rafah. They show the devastation at the site of a police station in the Hi Alijnina neighbourhood which was hit at approximately 11:30am local time. There were also missile strikes in the Tel Al Sultan, Moraj and Mashrua districts of Rafah. This assault occurred during the busy weekly market in Rafah and as school sessions were ending, so the streets were crowded and full of children. VIDEO - Israel targets pharmacy in Rafah International Solidarity Movement 12/28/2008 Video by ISM Gaza Strip - Shortly before 7:00am local time, yet another Israeli missile strike hit the residential neighbourhood of Hi Alijnina in the southern Gaza town of Rafah. This time a pharmacy was targeted, totally destroying the building and causing severe damage to surrounding homes. Electricity lines were torn down during the blast and the street was littered with medicines. This footage was filmed within minutes of the attack as fire fighters battled to control the blaze. Shocked residents poured into the streets, some still wearing pyjamas. [end] VIDEO - Israel intensifies PR campaign to gain int’l sympathy for Gaza operation Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 12/29/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for December 28, 2008. As the Israel Defense Forces pound Gaza, senior officials have launched an aggressive public relations campaign, in an attempt to gain international sympathy for Operation Cast Lead. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Saturday instructed the Foreign Ministry to take emergency measures to adapt Israel’s international public relations to the ongoing escalation in the Gaza Strip. On Sunday, Livni and other officials gave interviews in English and Arabic to various international news stations. The Foreign Ministry is also looking to recruit speakers of other foreign languages, in particular, Italian, Spanish, and German, in order to expand Israel’s public relations campaign. VIDEO - Palestinians destroy sections of the wall separating Gaza and Egypt following intense Israeli attacks in Rafah International Solidarity Movement 12/28/2008 28th December 2008 - Parts of the wall between Gaza and Egypt were torn down according to International Human Rights Observers witnessing and documenting the Israeli attacks on Gaza. Video by ISM Gaza Strip - rBritish Human Rights Observer, Jenny Linnel, who is working with the International Solidarity Movement, was in Yibnah Camp in Rafah and confirmed that the Palestinian resistance has destroyed sections of the wall that separates Gazan Rafah from Egyptian Rafah. "They have blown up part of the wall. The Israeli’s bombed the border half an hour ago. Soon after there was a loud explosion and parts of the wall came down. Many have passed through the border," said Linnel. "We heard shooting and we have seen an ambulance. We have heard that someone is hurt. People are saying that the Egyptians have been shooting at people crossing the border. . . " VIDEO - Kassam shrapnel kills Netivot man Abe Selig, Jerusalem Post 12/27/2008 In response to Saturday’s IAF air strikes on Hamas in Gaza, Palestinians fired over 80 rockets and mortar shells at areas throughout the western Negev. In Netivot, 58-year-old Beber Vaknin was killed and five people were wounded - one seriously - when their house was hit by a rocket. All the wounded were evacuated to Beersheba’s Soroka Hospital. "After the first rocket landed, people wanted to see what had happened," one of Vaknin’s neighbors told The Jerusalem Post on Saturday night. "He went outside to look around when the rocket hit, and he was killed by the shrapnel. The medics said the shrapnel pierced his heart. " Vaknin was unmarried and held a clerical position in the southern town. - VIDEO - Dozens of Kassam rockets fired at Israel in wake of IAF attack VIDEO - UN demands ’immediate’ halt to attacks Jonny Paul, Jerusalem Post Staff And AP, Jerusalem Post 12/27/2008 World reaction to Israel’s sudden, massive strike against terror infrastructure in the Gaza Strip ranged from immediate condemnation and a call to halt all attacks to cautious acknowledgement of Israel’s right to defend its citizens. Some international powers spoke against Hamas’s bombardment of communities in southern Israel since the cease-fire ended last week; others wrung their hands over the humanitarian suffering in the Strip. In a statement released Saturday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate halt to all violence in both Gaza and southern Israel. "While recognizing Israel’s security concerns regarding the continued firing of rockets from Gaza, Ban firmly reiterates Israel’s obligation to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law and condemns excessive use of force leading to the killing and injuring of civilians. - VIDEO - Arab world slams Israeli ’crimes’ in Gaza VIDEO - Viewer’s Guide to 'Obsession' Yousef Abudayyeh, Palestine Think Tank 12/27/2008 The Middle East Cultural and Information Center in San Diego just released Obsession: A Viewer's Guide (link below). Please give it your highest mark "5" so it will stay at the top of the list of viewed pieces, which will help defeat the fascist work of Zionists and neocons. [end] -- See also: YouTube: Viewer's Guide to "Obsession" VIDEO - Jewish parents thwart enrollment of Arab girl in daycare Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 12/25/2008 The opposition of a group of parents has caused a daycare in Moshav Merhavia to reject the registration of a young Arab toddler from a nearby village. Mayssa and Shua’a from the village of Sulam, say they were warmly received by the teacher of the daycare when they told her they wanted to register their daughter, Dana. But after making all the necessary payments, they received a disturbing phone call from the teacher. [end] VIDEO - Controversial E. Jerusalem road stands empty one year after completion Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 12/23/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for December 22, 2008. The construction of a controversial road built in East Jerusalem was completed roughly one year ago, but it has yet to see a single car. The so-called road, which required the expropriation of Palestinian lands, cost NIS 120 million to build, and is designed to connect the West Bank settlements surrounding Jerusalem to the capital. Peace organizations, Palestinian groups, and the international community have all protested its construction, which they see as a part of Israel’s intention to expand the borders of Jerusalem well into the West Bank. The national road company blames the fact that the road hasn’t opened on the Defense Ministry, which it says is lagging in its promise to build a security checkpoint to search Palesitinian cars. VIDEO - Livni, on her home life: We’re a completely normal family Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 12/22/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for December 21, 2008. Kadima party Chairwoman Tzipi Livni and her husband Naftali Spitzer recently gave an interview in which they spoke of the relations between the prime ministerial hopeful’s political career and her family life. Speaking at home to Channel 10’s Oshrat Kotler, Spitzer was called on to describe Livni, who is also foreign minister, as a wife and mother. Spitzer took issue with the portrayal of Livni in the media as being somewhat cold and distant. [end] VIDEO - MK from Kfar Aza: We’re being held hostage for Shalit Ilana Curiel, YNetNews 12/20/2008 (Video) Kadima MK residing in Kfar Aza blames defense minister for constant fire on southern towns, claiming government abandoning Negev residents for ’ballot box votes’ - VIDEO - MK Shai Hermesh (Kadima), who resides in the southern town of Kfar Aza, told Ynet that "they can’t hold us hostage for Gilad Shalit. "Hermesh was referring to the rockets and mortar shells that have plagued the town and its area recently. The southern towns of Israel were Defense Minister Ehud Barak, claiming he was thwarting a possible military operation in Gaza. "The prime minister (Ehud Olmert) can’t embark on a military operation without Barak’s support," he said. "The number one security man has let us down. Since he signed this ceasefire agreement from a point of inferiority he has been surrendering to them. "Video: ReutersReferring to kidnapped soldier. . . VIDEO - Protesters throw shoes at Israeli soldiers in Bil’in Al-Jazeera, International Solidarity Movement 12/19/2008 Report by Bil’in Popular Committee Against the Apartheid Wall and Settlements - Demonstrators marched today after the Friday prayer carrying Palestinian flags and banners calling to end the Israeli occupation, stop the wall and settlement building, stop land confiscation and settler attacks, closures and roadblocks, and the release of all detainees. The demonstration was joined by internationals and Israeli activists. Members of the Peoples’ Struggle Front also joined the protest today and carried banners. Protesters carried pictures of U. S President George Bush having shoes thrown at him. They also carried their own shoes as a symbolic refusal of the Israeli occupation. The protest today marched towards the wall singing slogans and attempting to reach the confiscated land behind the wall. VIDEO / IDF soldier denies throwing stones at police during settler riots in Hebron Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 12/16/2008 The Israel Defense Forces Military Police is detaining a soldier from the elite Givati brigade on suspicion that he hurled stones at police officers and Palestinians in Hebron. Video footage filmed during the evacuation of the House of Contention in the West Bank city about 10 days ago shows settlers throwing stones at Palestinians and at a Palestinian-owned house. The footage also shows an Israeli soldier, believed by the military police to be Corporal Avraham Schneider, picking up stones and participating in the disturbance, instead of preventing it. Schneider denies involvement in the stone-throwing, and claims not to have been there. Schneider is currently awaiting a military court hearing. VIDEO - Gazans rally for Bush shoe protester The Guardian 12/16/2008 Palestinians rally in Gaza in support of Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at US president George Bush. [end] VIDEO - Gazans rally in support of Bush shoe protest Roee Nahmias, YNetNews 12/16/2008 (Video) Journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who hurled shoes at outgoing US president in Iraq, sparks wave of support in Strip. ’There’s nothing better than this shoe to summarize what the Arab world thinks about this foolish president,’ Gaza rally organizer tells Ynet - VIDEO -Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who hurled his shoes at US President George W. Bush on Sunday, has sparked a wave of support in the Arab world. Dozens of Palestinians took part Tuesday in a rally in the Gaza Strip in solidarity with the Iraqi journalist. The protestors expressed their full support for al-Zeidi’s act and called for his immediate release. During the demonstration, they hurled shoes at a picture of Bush and burned flags of the United States and Israel. Video courtesy ofInfolive. tv Abu Abir, a spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees, told Ynet. . . VIDEO - Thousands of Gazans gather for Hamas anniversary Associated Press, YNetNews 12/14/2008 (Video) Hamas supporters rally to celebrate group’s 21st anniversary in Gaza, show play featuring mock Gilad Shalit begging for freedom - VIDEO -Tens of thousands of Hamas supporters marked the Islamic group’s 21st anniversary with an outdoor rally Sunday, and the show of strength included a play featuring a mock-captive Israeli soldier begging for his freedom. Hamas was founded in Gaza in December 1987, and seized control of the territory by force in June 2007. Sunday’s rally was further evidence of Hamas’ unchallenged control over 1. 4 million people, with thousands of Hamas policemen securing Gaza City streets. The huge crowd filled an outdoor area that can hold at least 150,000 people, and nearby streets were also thronged with Hamas supporters. Many wore baseball caps and waved flags in Hamas’ signature green color. VIDEO - Gaza… oh beloved Gaza Sonja Karkar, Palestine Think Tank 12/13/2008 This video describes in pictures and words the shocking details of Israels deliberate ravaging of Palestinian life and society in Gaza. Its purpose is to call attention to the plight of a people under siege, which so far has been chillingly ignored by governments and the world media unwilling to call Israel to account for its criminal execution of the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians from their own land. The video was created by Sonja Karkar for Australians for Palestine on 9 December 2008 using images captured by various courageous photographers on the ground in Gaza, and the haunting sounds of Sada (Echo), composed and played on the oud by Ahmad Al-Khatib. [end] -- See also: Australians for Palestine VIDEO - Palestinian broadcaster in Italy, Rula Jebreal, enjoys increasing acclaim Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 12/12/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for December 11, 2008. Palestinian-born Rula Jebreal, one of the most important broadcasters and interviewers in Italy, also happens to be a media darling. Jebreal has become something of a phenomenon in Italy, where she is wildly popular. She is the author of several books, one of which, Miral, is being made into a movie by acclaimed director Julian Schnabel. Jebreal, an outspoken figure on foreign affairs and immigration, is well-known for her tough interviewing style. And while Italy has treated her well, Jebreal, continues to yearn for her family in the occupied territories. [end] VIDEO - Ministers urge tough action in Gaza Roni Sofer, YNetNews 12/10/2008 (Video) Prime minister, foreign minister and defense minster convene to discuss Israel’s course of action against rocket attacks from Gaza. government ministers call on leaders to launch immediate military operations in Strip - VIDEO - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak convened Wednesday to discuss the alternatives for an Israeli response to theongoing rocket fire from Gaza. Shas chairman, Minister Eli Yishai called on the leaders ahead of the meeting to order "immediate pinpoint operations against the Hamas leadership and those who carry out the terror attacks against Israel. " IDF unveils new anti-rocket radar system (Video: Infolive. tv)Yishai added that Israel should impose an economic blockade on the Strip by halting all money transfers to Gaza. VIDEO - Recent signs point to new era of Syrian influence in Lebanon Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 12/10/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for December 9, 2008. Relations between Damascus and the Hezbollah-led Lebanese opposition appear to be warming by the day, and prevalent anti-Syrian sentiment in Lebanon seems to be making way for a new phase in relations between the two countries. Lebanese General Michel Aoun visited Damascus this week in a move that some say marked the end of Lebanese independence. After 15 years in exile due to his anti-Syrian activities, Aoun returned to Lebanon in 2005 singing an entirely different tune. Syrian President Bashar Assad greeted Aoun warmly at his hilltop palace in a meeting underlining the dramatic shift in the position of the former general who was defeated in battle by Syrian forces at the end of Lebanon’s civil war between 1975 and 1990. VIDEO / Israeli eighth graders receive failing marks in math Or Kashti, Ha’aretz 12/10/2008 The Education Ministry on Tuesday published findings which show a decline in math scores among middle school students. According to the ministry’s proficiency index which gauges test scores, the average math score for Israeli eighth graders in the last year stood at 44. 1. These figures are consistent with the latest rankings issued by TIMSS, the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, which show that Israel has dropped five spots in comparison with the 2003 rankings. This past year, Israel was rated 24th in mathematics (down from 19th in 2003) and 25th in science (23rd in 2003). The rankings list a total of 49 countries. Education Ministry proficiency reports also indicate low scores in science and technology, where students posted a 56. VIDEO - Israel worried by report Iran has tripled its missile arsenal Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 12/9/2008 Reports on Monday suggesting Iran has recently tripled its missile arsenal have exacerbated concerns that the Islamic Republic remains tireless in its efforts to step up defensive capabilities against Israel. The number of Shihab-3 missiles in Iran’s possession has gone from roughly 30 at the start of 2008 to more than 100. The long-range Shihab-3 missiles are capable of striking any point in Israel. At this point, they are armed with one-ton conventional warheads, but are also capable of carrying nuclear warheads. [end] VIDEO - PM: Hebron violence a pogrom Roni Sofer, YNetNews 12/7/2008 (Video) Olmert opens cabinet meeting with attack on settlers’ actions in West Bank city following evacuation of disputed house: ’As a Jew, I’m ashamed of the sights of Jews firing at Arabs in Hebron. ’ Cabinet approves NIS 695 milion increase to southern communities’ fortification budget - VIDEO - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert opened Sunday’s cabinet meeting with an attack on Jewish settlers in Hebron, calling their violence over the weekend "a pogrom". "As a Jew, I’m ashamed of the sights of Jews firing at Arabs in Hebron. I have no other definition for what we saw but a pogrom. We are the sons of a nation which knows what a pogrom is, and I’m saying this after much thought. I have no other way to put it," he said. VIDEO - School of hard knocks Al Jazeera 12/6/2008 Universal education was one of the central pillars of the UN’s Declaration of Human Rights 60 years ago. In a special programme, beginning in Gaza, Al Jazeera finds out how such rights are difficult to uphold in conflict zones. There are many things that dstract a child from his or her school exams but an exploding jeep and loud gunfire are rarely top of the list. But that is exactly what forced 10-year-old Wala Mohammed Smairi and her classmates to hurriedly abandon work on one of their end of year tests. "Fighting broke out so we threw the exam papers down and hid under the desks,"she says. "We were crying and shouting and the teachers told us to hide. Watch online"We were stuck in the classroom they couldn’t evacuate us because the bullets were whizzing past the school. "Such violent traumas are sadly not isolated incidents for pupils at Al Maari school. . . VIDEO - Mobster Alperon’s brother: We won’t attack those who killed Ya’akov Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 12/8/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for December 7, 2008. The assassination of crime kingpin Ya’akov Alperon in a Tel Aviv car bombing last month was widely believed to have rocked Israel’s underworld. There is a sweeping gag order over the investigation into the killing. But police sources have said that rival mob boss Amir Mulner is a central suspect, an assertion that has been lent weight by the support of Alperon’s brother, Zalman. Despite Zalman Alperon’s harsh words for his brother’s killers, he has pledged that his family is not seeking revenge for the daylight assassination. [end] VIDEO - Jewish settlers in Hebron shoot Palestinian men Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 12/5/2008 B’Tselem footage shows settler shooting two Palestinian at close range The Israeli human rights group B’Tselem has released graphic video footage showing settlers fighting with Palestinians in Hebron and shooting two men at close range in the hours after a settler house was evacuated by police yesterday. The film, recorded by a Palestinian resident in Hebron, shows settlers attacking his house, which was in a valley close to the three-storey building where dozens of settlers were evicted by Israeli riot police. In the hours after the eviction, Jewish settlers rioted in Hebron, throwing stones at police and Palestinians and setting fire to Palestinian trees and attacking Palestinian homes. Most of the violence took place between the evicted house and the nearby hardline Jewish settlement of Kirya Arba. -- See also: Video VIDEO - Blowing Away Palestinians with Remote Control Guns Haitham Sabbah, Palestine Think Tank 12/5/2008 This video from Ha’aretz shows the Israeli terrorist females in action using latest Israeli war crime weapons against Gazans - "The Seer Shoots:" The Israel Defense Forces has found a way to target Gaza Strip terrorists from kilometers away, with just three pushes of a button. It may look like a video game, but it’s actually a new system called "The Seer Shoots," which has entered operation in recent days on the Gaza Strip border. Several of these domes were recently installed along the Israel-Gaza border. But you won’t find the shooter inside, but rather in a virtual battleground, operating a heavy machine gun from a kilometer away. Three days ago, Israeli air strikes killed two teenage Palestinian boys, while Israel increases its criminal siege into the Gaza Strip. VIDEO / IDF bolsters forces across West Bank in wake of Hebron house eviction Amos Harel , and News Agencies, Ha’aretz 12/6/2008 Israel placed military and police forces on alert Friday to head off settler violence after the evacuation of a disputed West Bank building brought tensions between the government and extremist settlers to a peak. Army forces were beefed up across the West Bank, defense officials said. The move follows the eviction of settlers from a four-story building in the town of Hebron on Thursday and subsequent rampages by settler youth who attacked Palestinians and set fire to Palestinian homes and cars. There were some 500 policemen in and around Hebron on Friday, a substantial increase from the usual deployment, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. Worried about possible Palestinian disturbances in retaliation for the settler attacks, police also restricted the entrance of Muslim worshippers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque because of fears that riots could erupt there during Friday’s communal prayers. VIDEO - Israeli riot police evict settlers in Hebron Rory McCarthy, The Guardian 12/5/2008 Violent protests after officers follow court order in Hebron - Riot police forcibly evacuated a house filled with dozens of Jewish settlers in the West Bank city of Hebron yesterday in the most public showdown between the government and the increasingly violent settler movement for more than two years. Hundreds of police mounted a surprise raid on the three-storey house, which had become the latest symbol of defiance for Israeli settlers. Troops fired teargas into the crowds and dragged settlers from the house one by one. Around 30 people were injured, including one policeman who had acid thrown in his eyes. Although the house was emptied within an hour, the operation triggered broad settler protests across the occupied West Bank and in Jerusalem that continued into the night. -- See also: Video VIDEO - Israeli forces evict settlers from disputed Hebron home Rory McCarthy in Hebron, The Guardian 12/4/2008 Israeli riot police forcibly evacuated a house filled with dozens of Jewish settlers in the West Bank city of Hebron today in the most public showdown between the government and the increasingly violent settler movement for more than two years. Hundreds of police mounted a surprise raid on the three-storey house, which had become the latest symbol of defiance for Israeli settlers. Troops fired tear gas into the crowds and dragged settlers from the house one-by-one. Around 30 people were injured, including one policeman who had acid thrown in his eyes. Although the house was emptied within an hour, the operation triggered broad settler protests across the occupied West Bank and in Jerusalem, which continued into the night. In Hebron masked settlers set fire to Palestinian trees and attacked buildings. The Israeli military declared the southern West Bank a closed military zone, setting up roadblocks to prevent more settlers descending on the city. -- See also: Israeli settlers: 'This looks to be an aggressive operation' VIDEO - Hebron evacuation completed within hour Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 12/4/2008 (Video) Security forces take settlers by surprise as they storm disputed Hebron house in broad daylight, remove activists barricaded inside. MDA reports about 20 people injured in clashes. In response, right-wing activists clash with police at entrance to Jerusalem; 20 arrested - VIDEO- Security forces stormed the disputed Hebron house on Thursday and completed its evacuation within less than an hour after taking settlers totally be surprise. Heavy clashes ensued throughout the operation and the Magen David Adom emergency services reported that 20 people were lightly injured during the evacuation. Anotehr two people sustained moderate injuries and were evacuated to hospital. Clashes in Hebron (Video: Infolive. tv) According to some reports, special police units entered the house and removed the right-wing activists that barricaded themselves inside. VIDEO - Gilad Shalit’s parents reportedly contact PIs to acquire information Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 12/5/2008 The parents of abducted Israel Defense FOrces soldier Gilad Shalit are reportedly working with private investigators in an attempt to acquire information about the fate of their son, who was abducted by Palestinian militants a year and a half ago on the Gaza Strip border. The Shalit family has regularly expressed frustration over what they say is a lack of government effort to locate their son, who is believed to be held captive in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Noam Shalit has apparently been in contact with several private investigators regarding the possibility of securing information through agents operating in the Gaza Strip. [end] VIDEO - Footage released of Palestinian militant reenacting murder of Israeli lawmaker Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 12/5/2008 Footage released on Wednesday depicts a reenactment of the murder of slain minister Rehavam Ze’evi, who was assassinated in 2001 by militants from the Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Bassel Asmar, one of Ze’evis assassins, retraced the steps he took before the murder at Jerusalem’s Hyatt Hotel, where he and another militant had rented a room the night before. On the morning of the murder, the two retrieved their weapons from the hotel parking lot, and took the stairs to the eighth floor, where Ze’evi was staying. Ze’evi, nicknamed Gandhi in Israel, was eating breakfast with wife at the time. After breakfast, he took the elevator alone to the eighth floor, and was shot after exiting the elevator. Ze’evi, a former army general and leader of a small ultranationalist party, advocated the eviction of Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza. VIDEO - Cluster bomb treaty: 100 countries set to sign The Guardian 12/3/2008 Norway initiates negotiations on a treaty outlawing cluster munitions, which about 100 nations are due to sign. [end] VIDEO - New film by ’Or’ director promises to make waves in Israel and abroad Haaret Sta, Ha’aretz 12/4/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for December 3, 2008. European film crews have recently taken over Givataim and Jaffa for the making of a new film that is seems destined to be a hot item in Israel and abroad. Ronit Elkabetz and Moni Mushonov star in a new Israeli-French production called Jaffa, directed by Keren Yedaya. Jaffa tracks the upheavals experienced by an Israeli couple whose lives are disrupted when their daughter, played by Dana Ivgy, falls in love with the Arab son of her father’s employee. [end] VIDEO - Senior Iranian commander leads Hezbollah drill in south Lebanon Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 12/3/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for December 2, 2008. It emerged on Tuesday that Qassem Suleimani, a senior Iranian military official, commanded a Hezbollah drill south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon roughly two weeks ago. Suleimani is the commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, and is considered an emissary between Iran and Hezbollah. Israeli government radio broadcasts operating in southern Lebanon reported in Arabic on the drill for the benefit of its southern Lebanese target audience. [end] VIDEO - Inspired by Obama, Israeli politicians take campaigns online Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 12/2/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for December 1, 2008. Israeli politicians these days are taking lessons from U. S. President-Elect Barack Obama, who maximized the use of the Internet in unprecedented ways in order to broaden his support network. As politicians gear up for party primaries ahead of February general elections, even previously unknown contenders are taking advantage of a form of airtime they can afford by releasing online videos on YouTube and opening accounts on Facebook. And as soon as the last primary votes are counted, the Israeli web surfer will surely be able to count on equally entertaining party-wide online endeavors. VIDEO - ISM Gaza Strip: IOF bulldozers and tank on Gazan land east of Khan Younis International Solidarity Movement 11/30/2008 Gaza Region - Video - On Thursday the 27th of November a group of ISM volunteers who were accompanying farmers and monitoring the situation in Khouza’a east of Khan Younis, observed a concentration of IOF (Israeli Occupation Forces) behind the Green Line. At about 10. 15 a. m. two D-9 armoured bulldozers and a tank crossed the fence and entered the Gaza Strip. Farmers in Khouza’a stopped working in their fields and started to return home. ISM volunteers accompanied them and in the same time were taking footage proving the incident. The IOF forces entered for about 100 to 150 metres and started to move northbound along the Green Line towards Al Faraheen, whilst approaching Palestinian houses and the school in Khouza’a. The Israeli bulldozers were destroying whatever lay in their path along this stretch of Palestinian land, although most of it is not worked by Palestinian farmers as they are prevented from reaching it by IOF shooting. VIDEO - Reaction in Gaza as the boats stolen by the Israeli navy are returned damaged International Solidarity Movement 11/30/2008 Video - Initial reports suggest that they had sustained serious damage and that expensive equipment has been stolen. - Three Palestinian trawling vessels confiscated by Israeli naval forces were returned on Thursday 27th November. Almost immediately following the announcement that three Human Rights Groups had filed an appeal against Ehud Barak and the commander of the Israeli navy the boats were returned to Palestinian waters. The vessels were stolen from Gazan waters on 18th November while fishing in Palestinian territorial water. Filed by Al-Mazan, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), the appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court was on behalf of the vessels owners. The appeal, sent to the Israeli Supreme Court, asked why the boats have not been released and why the fishermen have not been compensated for their loss of income and their loss of use of the boats for the past week. VIDEO - Rabbi among hostages killed at Mumbai Jewish centre Randeep Ramesh, Vikram Dodd and Daniel Pepper in Mumbai, Owen, The Guardian 11/28/2008 A rabbi and his wife were among five hostages found dead inside the remains of the Mumbai Jewish centre held by Islamist militants. A final assault by Indian commandos on Nariman House today culminated with soldiers blowing a hole in the outer wall. Two militants were reported killed in the siege. As many as 150 people are feared dead across Mumbai after three days of violence; up to 22 of them may be foreigners. The Taj Mahal hotel is now the only remaining holdout of the Islamist fighters who are thought to be using hostages as human shields. According to Indian TV reports, up to six terrorists remain inside the luxury hotel. The bodies of Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka were found after Indian commandos seized Nariman House from the militants today. Their deaths were confirmed by Rabbi Zalman Schmotkin, a spokesman for Chabad Lubavitch, the ultra-Orthodox Jewish group that ran the centre. VIDEO - New system has soldiers in virtual battleground killing militants from a distance Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 11/26/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for November 25, 2008 - The Israel Defense Forces has found a way to target Gaza Strip militants from kilometers away, with just three pushes of a button. It may look like a video game, but it’s actually a new system called "The Seer Shoots," which has entered operation in recent days on the Gaza Strip border. Several of these domes were recently installed along the Israel-Gaza border. But you won’t find the shooter inside, but rather in a virtual battleground, operating a heavy machine gun from a kilometer away. [end] VIDEO - Latuff on Hate Speech Carlos Latuff, Palestine Think Tank 11/26/2008 A short film by one of the best political cartoonists in circulation,. [end] VIDEO / Iran seeks death penalty for 3 accused of spying for Israel Reuters, Ha’aretz 11/26/2008 An Iranian prosecutor said on Tuesday he would seek the death penalty for three Iranians accused of spying for Israel, the ISNA news agency reported on Tuesday. The prosecutor told ISNA that the network was formed after the Mossad spy agency recruited one of the detainees, a man previously involved with Iran’s elite Revolutionary GuardsIt was not immediately clear whether the three were members of an alleged Israeli-linked spy network which state media on Monday said had been broken up by Guards. IRNA quoted Tehran General Prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi as saying theHe said the three members of the network were trained by Israeli intelligence agents, but detained before they could relay any information to Israel. Mortazavi added that the spies, who planned to bomb military sites and assassinate military experts, now face capital punishment. VIDEO - Israeli policeman headbutts woman in Palestinian demolition clashes Owen Bowcott, The Guardian 11/25/2008 An Israeli policeman wearing a hard helmet is shown headbutting a Palestinian woman in a video released by a human rights group today. The short film was recorded by the Israeli group B’Tselem during a protest against the demolition of Palestinian homes. The Jerusalem municipality destroyed two houses because, it said, they had been built without permission. The pictures, taken on November 5 but not released until today, show the actions of one policeman whose reinforced visor is pushed back above his helmet. At one point he grasps the hands of a Palestinian woman and slams against the top of her head with his protective headgear. She reels back, clutching her head. Other residents object, and the policeman is seen grabbing the wrists of a Palestinian man and headbutting him as well. VIDEO - Gaza hip-hop trio overcomes many obstacles to transmit music to world Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 11/26/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for November 25, 2008 Three young Gaza residents harboring no small amount of frustration have found a creative outlet to transmit their message to the world. The three comprise "Black Unit Band," a hip-hop trio making music in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, not always the friendliest breeding ground for Western culture. But even getting music made depends on Israel’s goodwill. The studio in which Black Unit Band was recording their first album closed down recently due to power outages, brought on by Israel’s refusal to let fuel into the coastal territory. But they plan on heading back to the studio soon, and there’s no doubt that current events will continue to provide excellent fodder for new material. VIDEO - Israeli activists video police headbutting Palestinian woman Ali Waked and Reuters, YNetNews 11/24/2008 (Video) B’Tselem footage shows helmeted S. W. A. T. team member headbutting woman who was protesting against demolition east Jerusalem home three weeks ago. Police say incident under investigation - VIDEO - Israeli human rights group B’Tselem on Monday released a video showing a helmeted Israeli S. W. A. T. team member headbutting a Palestinian woman who was protesting against thedemolition of a home in east Jerusalem’s Silwan neighborhood three weeks ago. B’Tselem said the incident was filmed by one of its researchers during Israel’s November 5 demolition of homes built by Palestinians without permission from the Jerusalem Municipality. Headbutting incident in east Jerusalem (Video courtesy of B’Tselem) The video was sent to the police’s Internal Affairs Unit, which confirmed that a complaint was filed and that the incident was being investigated. VIDEO / Shas Rabbi Ovadia Yosef: Secular teachers are ’asses’ Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 11/24/2008 Spiritual leader of the Ultra-Orthodox Shas Party, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef called secular teachers in Israel "asses" on Saturday during his weekly sermon. Yosef has previously voiced his desire that the Education Ministry be handed over to Shas’ authority. In his sermon, the rabbi said that the teachers in the secular education system know nothing, "neither Shabath, nor holiday", and teach only "nonsense", and added that people whose parents placed them in the secular education system are unfortunate. "What do they teach? They teach history and all sorts of nonsense about world nations, that’s all," he said. Education Minister Yuli Tamir responded harshly to Yosef’s remarks, demanding that he publicly apologize for the "ugly comment. "She added that the rabbi’s sermon was "rude, baseless, and offensive to tens of thousands. . . " VIDEO / Peres warns evacuation of settlers may lead to civil war Anshel Pfeffer, and Agencies, Ha’aretz 11/21/2008 LONDON - President Shimon Peres told members of the British Parliament Wednesday that Israel would have difficulty dismantling West Bank settlements without causing a civil war in Israel. On the second day of his state visit to Britain, Peres Wednesday became the first Israeli leader to address members of both houses of Parliament in the House of Lords’ Robing room. "The State of Israel began to take shape as Great Britain, under the leadership of Winston Churchill, saved the world from the Nazi threat. It was a time when many countries closed their gates to Holocaust survivors," Peres said. "My family arrived in Israel when it was still under British mandate. In our pockets were British Palestinian passports. In our hearts was the Balfour declaration. Israel would not have a vibrant democracy if it hadn’t been for the British legacy. VIDEO - 2 Qassams land near Ashkelon Shmulik Hadad, YNetNews 11/19/2008 (Video) Few hours after Zikim army base holds closing ceremony, two rockets fired from Gaza Strip land in area; no injuries or damage caused - VIDEO -Two Qassam rockets fired from the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday landed in the Zikim area, south of Ashkelon. No injuries or damage were reported. The rockets were fired a few hours after the IDF’s Zikim military base, a basic training facility located in the vicinity, held a festive ceremony marking the end of its instructional activities in the area. On Tuesday afternoon, three Qassam rockets went off in open fields in the western Negev, with no damage or injuries reported. Two mortar shells were also fired at the Shaar Hanegev Regional Council on Tuesday, with no injuries or damage caused. Video courtesy ofInfolive. VIDEO - IDF resorts to creative means to lure kids to enlist in notorious Kfir Brigade Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 11/20/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for November 19, 2008 -The Kfir Infantry Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces is finding itself coming up with some creative tricks to attract high school students readying for enlistment. In one attempt to lend some exoticism to the brigade’s activities, an entire mock Palestinian village was constructed at the Bakum, the IDF’s induction and processing base. A muezzin, a casbah, a vegetable market, and checkpoint were all thrown in for a bit of color. But promoting the Kfir Brigade is largely an attempt to clear its name. The brigade’s soldiers were recently found to be the IDF’s main perpetrators of crimes against Palestinians. Related articles:Kfir brigade leads in West Bank violations Something bad is happening to us3 IDF troops jailed for exposing themselves to Palestinians Also on Haaretz. VIDEO - Peres: Iran wants Mideast religious bloc Hagit Klaiman, YNetNews 11/19/2008 (Video) Addressing British Parliament, president says world must cooperate to halt Iranian threat, as Islamic Republic’s leadership ’is obsessed with its quest for regional religious domination, attempting to impose their version on everyone’ - VIDEO - LONDON -"The Iranian leadership’s grand design is to convert the Middle East into one religious bloc," President Shimon Peres said Wednesday during his address to the British Parliament. " The Iranian leadership is obsessed with its quest for regional religious domination. This quest is supported by long range missiles, enriched uranium and fanatic incitement - all fueled by the excessive price of oil," he said. Religious CensorshipIran admits to blocking millions of websites / Dudi Cohen In unprecedented speech, Islamic Republic’s prosecutor general says regime has censored over five million sites. . . VIDEO - Clinton to accept offer of secretary of state job Ewen MacAskill in Washington, The Guardian 11/18/2008 Hillary Clinton plans to accept the job of secretary of state offered by Barack Obama, who is reaching out to former rivals to build a broad coalition administration, the Guardian has learned. Obama’s advisers have begun looking into Bill Clinton’s foundation, which distributes millions of dollars to Africa to help with development, to ensure there is no conflict of interest. But Democrats believe the vetting will be straightforward. Clinton would be well placed to become the country’s dominant voice in foreign affairs, replacing Condoleezza Rice. Since being elected senator for New York, she has specialised in foreign affairs and defence. Although she supported the war in Iraq, she and Obama basically agree on a withdrawal of American troops. Clinton, who still harbours hopes of a future presidential run, had to weigh up whether she would be better placed by staying in the Senate, which VIDEO - Gazans urged to pressure Hamas on Shalit Roee Nahmias, YNetNews 11/17/2008 (Video) Members of Smart Middle East forum believe that to influence Hamas, you must first win support of its public. New video appeal making rounds in Gaza tries to convince families of Palestinian prisoners being held in Israel to put screws on Hamas - VIDEO - "Pressure Hamas" - that’s the key message a new initiative working to help free kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit is trying to get across in Gaza. Video courtesy of Smart Middle East Forum - At a time when the talks between Israel and Hama s over the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Shalit appear hopelessly stagnated, a forum called Smart Middle East has prepared a short Arabic-language video appealing to the families of those Palestinian prisoners in a bid to force Hamas back to the negotiations table. Circulated through e-mail, automated phone recordings and even video-sharing. . . VIDEO - Plagued by staggering debts, Israeli tycoons struggle to keep companies afloat Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 11/18/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for November 17, 2008. The global economic crisis has threatened many fortunes around the world. In Israel in particular, the value of the holdings of two big-name tycoons have been falling so dramatically that experts fear they won’t be able to recover. Billionaires Yitzhak Tshuva and Lev Leviev, who own Delek Group and Africa Israel, both have debts totaling tens of millions of shekels. It’s unclear whether their assets exceed those debts. The deteriorating value of Leviev and Tshuva’s companies has been brought on by the sharp downturn their stocks have taken amid plummeting shareholder confidence. Africa Israel’s value has dropped by 92 percent since the start of 2008, wiping out 17 billion shekels of its value. VIDEO - Press conference by President, Foreign Minister, Ambassador of Israel United Nations Department of Public Information - DPI, ReliefWeb 11/12/2008 Watch the Press Conference - "What we have witnessed today is not the end of a story, but the beginning of a new one," said Israeli President Shimon Peres, speaking at a Headquarters press conference following his appearance today at the General Assembly’s high-level meeting on a culture of peace. Reminding correspondents of the "three no" Arab approach to Israel -- "no recognition, no negotiations, no peace" –- Mr. Peres said, "Today we have heard a totally different voice: a voice of friendliness, of understanding, and also of the feeling that the time has come to try to have an overall peace in the Middle East. "He said King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia had spoken with a strong and highly-respected Arab voice, and the initiative to hold the event was unprecedented. Joining Mr. Peres at the press conference were his Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tzipi Livni, and Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Gabriela Shaleve. VIDEO - PA police step up campaign against Hamas fighters in Hebron Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 11/13/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for November 12, 2008. Palestinian security forces were recently deployed in Hebron, where their presence is now heavily felt. Their primary target is Hamas. Since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in June of last year, life hasn’t been made easy for its fighters in the West Bank, which is still ruled by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party. As a result, many Hamas men have gone into hiding. R oughly 250 Hamas men in Hebron are in presently jail, where they claim they undergo brutal torture at the hands of Palestinian policemen. Related articles: Hamas tunnel uncovered by PA near Hebron was arms training sitePalestinian forces carry out first crackdown on Hebron militants Palestinian security forces deploy in HebronAlso on Haaretz. VIDEO - Carter: Obama will waste no time pursuing Middle East peace Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 11/13/2008 Former United States President Jimmy Carter said in an interview with CNN this week he expected President-elect Barack Obama to waste no time pursuing Middle East peace talks once he takes office. Carter told CNN he "thrilled" by Obama’s election and praised his victory as heralding "a new approach" to the handling of the peace process. Carter said Obama "will not wait for even a month after he is president to start working on the peace process, where as you know, the previous two presidents waited till the least year they were in office before they began the peace process. "When asked by CNN if it would be unwise for Obama to focus on the peace process while the United States is facing an economic crisis, Carter said the process was too important to put off. VIDEO - Footage emerges of Obama poking fun at ’foul-mouthed’ Rahm Emanuel Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 11/12/2008 Jews and Israelis lauded U. S. president-elect Barack Obama’s pick of Rahm Emanuel for chief of staff last week. Emanuel, known for a tough but savvy approach to politics, has enjoyed close relationships with both Obama and several other Democratic powerhouses, including the Clintons. C-SPAN recently rebroadcast a 2005 celebrity roast of Emanuel, in which both Hillary Clinton and Obama take on their fiery old friend. The roast was held at a fundraiser hosted by Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy. On the agenda was Emanuel’s unusual name, and even more so, his famous temper. [end] VIDEO / Syria President: Israel is not genuine about peace Yoav Stern and The Associated Press, Ha’aretz 11/10/2008 Syrian President Bashar Assad accused Israel of working toward peace with its Arab neighbors for the sake of internal political gain alone, calling the country’s peace efforts "not genuine. ""Until now, we’ve seen the peace slogans in use in the internal political game in Israel, and as part of Israel’s maneuvering spin on its foreign policy," Assad told the opening session of a meeting of Arab parliamentarians in Damascus on Sunday. The Syrian leader called on Israel to clarify its outlook on peace among nations, and accused its neighbor of professing to want peace as a series of tactical moves, rather than a strategy. Syria and Israel recently held four rounds of indirect talks, mediated by Turkey. But the talks made no significant headway, and Syria said a fifth round was postponed at Israel’s request. VIDEO - Mass exercise tests IDF’s ability to fight two-front war against Syria, Hezbollah Channel 10 and Haaretz Staff, Ha’aretz 11/9/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for November 9, 2008. The Israel Defense Forces Northern Command concluded a large-scale exercise Thursday which simulated a double-front conflagration with Syria and Lebanon. The drill, codenamed "Shiluv Zro’ot III" (Crossing Arms III), was the second largest of its kind since the end of the Second Lebanon War in 2006. Among this week’s exercises was a strategic-level simulation involving all IDF commands. Speaking before subordinate officers, Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said that the importance attached to Crossing Arms III stemmed from the fact that it involved all IDF operational arms, and from the fact that it was put together in a way which internalized the lessons of the Second Lebanon War. After the drill concluded Thursday, Ashkenazi said he was "very pleased with the seriousness shown and the progress made. VIDEO / Netanyahu announces return of moderate ex-MK Meridor to Likud Mazal Mualem, Ha’aretz 11/9/2008 Likud Chair Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday announced the return of moderate ex-MK Dan Meridor to the right-center party, part of a broad effort by the Likud to attract high-profile figures ahead of early elections. Netanyahu, opening a press conference, referred to Meridor as "broadminded, honest and independent-thinking. He is one of the State of Israel’s most polite and intelligent people. " Meridor served as Finance Minister in then-prime minister Netanyahu’s cabinet in 1996. But Meridor, who was on the political left of the Netanyahu cabinet, bolted the government the next year, joining forces with Labor and other Likud politicians to found the Center party. Analysts Sunday noted the contrast between the relatively dovish views of Meridor, and those of hawkish former Likud MK Benny Begin, who last week announced his return to the Likud and intention to contend for a place on the party list. VIDEO - Israeli Army Generals think Obama is best for Israel JPost, Palestine Think Tank 11/8/2008 Retired Generals of the Israeli Defense Forces and high-ranking Mossad officials on Barack Obama… But, it seems a few of those interviewed didn’t really endorse Obama. Here is an article about the video: IDF Generals and Mossad Do NOT Endorse Obama - A video released by the Jewish Council for Education & Research, (JCER) which appeared to show several retired senior IDF and Mossad officials endorsing Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama has proven to be misleading, with a number of officials who appeared in the video saying on Monday that their words were taken out of context. The film’s producers stressed in response that the Obama campaign was not involved in any stage of the production. "It’s not only misleading, it was an interview about what the next president was going to have to deal with," former deputy chief of General Staff Maj. VIDEO - B’Tselem: JAG informs High Court will not amend indictment in shooting of bound Palestinian International Solidarity Movement 11/7/2008 On 4 November 2008, the judge advocate general, Brig. Gen. Avichai Mandelblit, informed the High Court of Justice that, despite the court’s suggestion that the prosecution consider filing more serious charges against Lt. Col. Omri Borberg and Staff Sgt. L. in the case involving the shooting of a bound and blindfolded Palestinian in Ni’lin, he decided to leave the indictment as it is. Attorney Dan Yakir, of the Association for Civil Rights, stated on behalf of the petitioners - the Association for Civil Rights, B’Tselem, the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, and Yesh Din - that, "We regret that, despite the severe criticism voiced by the High Court, the JAG remains firm in his opinion that abuse of a bound Palestinian detainee by a senior officer and shooting him is, at most, unbecoming conduct. The High Court now has the task of determining the appropriate response for such serious acts. ”. VIDEO - IDF troops film themselves humiliating bound Palestinian Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 11/7/2008 Channel 10 on Thursday released footage taken by Israel Defense Forces soldiers of themselves humiliating a bound and blindfolded Palestinian man at a West Bank checkpoint. The footage shows the Palestinian kneeling and repeating sentences given to him to say by the soldiers, who belong to the Golani infantry brigade. One of the lines is: "Golani will bring you a log to stick up your ass. "As the detainee repeats the words, the soldiers are heard laughing raucously in the background. Later Thursday, the army issued a harsh condemnation of the troops’ actions. "The IDF views this incident gravely and condemns it. Behavior of this kind goes against IDF values and its soldiers’ expected norms of behavior," the IDF Spokesman’s Unit said in a statement it released. VIDEO - Beer aficionados flock to Palestinian village of Taybeh for Oktoberfest Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 10/16/2008 A hilltop Palestinian village north of Ramallah was the unlikely site for an annual celebration of beer this past weekend. Oktoberfest came to Taybeh, a Christian village in the West Bank that produces the only Palestinian beer, also called Taybeh. T he festival was the village’s fourth Oktoberfest, replete with a German brass band in traditional Bavarian dress, local performances and massive amounts of beer. [end] VIDEO - The sarcophagus fragment that had archaeologists giddy on Yom Kippur Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 10/10/2008 Just in time for Yom Kippur, archaeologists made a discovery they say strengthens Judaism’s claim of a historical and political presence in Jerusalem. The excavation was conducted by the Civil Administration to prepare for the constructions of the separation fence between Israel and the Palestinians. The stone is part of a coffin believed to have contained the son of the High Priest - the Jleader of the Jewish establishment who was also in charge of the Temple. [end] VIDEO - Footage shows freed terrorist Kuntar training with Hezbollah Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 10/8/2008 Recent video footage from Lebanon shows freed terrorist Samir Kuntar engaging in Hezbollah weapons training this past week. Samir was part of a cell that killed four Israelis in a particularly gruesome attack after infiltrating northern Israeli in 1979. He was released in July in a prisoner exchange deal with Hezbollah. The footage shows Kuntar attending a Hezbollah arms exhibition and training with members of the Lebanese guerilla group. [end] VIDEO - Ramallah real estate boom sends prices skyrocketing Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 10/3/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for October 2, 2008. Real estate costs are breaking new records in the West Bank. The economic capital of the Palestinian Territories appears to be undergoing a facelift. Record high levels of construction are producing unprecedented numbers of new apartments, houses and office buildings. And with all the new construction comes previously unheard of housing costs. [end] VIDEO - IDF securing Golan minefields as hikers flock north for holidays Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 10/1/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for October 1, 2008. With the Jewish holidays entering full swing, Israeli hikers are flocking to north. Alongside them, the Israel Defense Forces has deployed additional troops to the Golan Heights to keep travelers on the trails and off the minefields. Syria and Israel are both responsible for scattering hundreds of thousands of landmines around the Golan, which Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed in 1981. Despite demining efforts by the United Nations peacekeepers, mines continue to hurt and even kill residents, hikers, and troops. Related articles:Israel to complain to UN after six mines thrown from Syria found in Golan Heights IDF officials: Mines in Lebanon could have been laid by Syria, HezbollahUN troops rescued unharmed from Golan Heights minefield Also on Haaretz. VIDEO / Israeli, Palestinian women come together to lose weight Karin Kloosterman, Israel 21c, Ha’aretz 10/2/2008 Starting after the Muslim Ramadan and the Jewish New Year, a group of Palestinian and Israeli women will be meeting face to face in Jerusalem. Not for political reasons, not to cast blame on who’s right or wrong in the Middle East conflict - these women will be focusing on their waistline, and sharing a simple and common desire to lose weight. "A Slim Peace" is a group founded in 2006 by Yael Luttwak, a 36-year-old American-Israeli filmmaker who grew up in Washington D. C. Struggling with her own weight issues in Israel, she rounded up a group of 14 Israeli and Palestinian women to document their shared experiences, as they met in Jerusalem over a six week period. While Weight Watchers in Israel was one of the first Weight Watchers branches to set up shop outside the U. VIDEO - ISM Rafah: Life on the Green Line International Solidarity Movement 9/29/2008 Video - This is the story of a family living in the Al Farahin neighbourhood of Abassan Alkabeera in southern Gaza. Translated, filmed and edited by Fida Qishta - Language edit by ISM Rafa - The family’s home is situated extremely close to the ‘Green Line’ with Israel and subsequently has suffered many cases of Israeli military aggression. There was a major incursion into the area on 1st May 2008, which resulted in Palestinian deaths, home demolitions and widespread agricultural damage, particularly the vast destruction of olive and citrus groves. The family was terrorized during this attack and has not slept in their house since. Activists from the International Solidarity Movement began accompanying them in September 2008 in their first attempt to return to their home VIDEO - Security agencies fear recent incidents point to rise in rightist violence Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 9/29/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for September 28, 2008. After security forces evacuated the illegal outpost of Yad Yair earlier this month, West Bank settlers responded by torching fields belonging to Palestinian villagers and puncturing tires of Israel Defense Forces vehicles. Right-wing elements in Israeli society appear to be increasingly turning against the rule of the law, determined to take their ultranationalist cause into their own hands, employing violence against anyone they perceive as enemies, be they soldiers or civilians, Israelis or Palestinians. Intelligence and security sources fear that violence will escalate into something much more dramatic than scorched fields and punctured tires. VIDEO - Leftist professor: Bombing of my home signals end of Israeli democracy Shahar Ilan and Roni Singer-Heruti , Channel 10 and Haaretz Service, Ha’aretz 9/26/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 news roundup for September 25, 2008. Professor Ze’ev Sternhell, the victim of a pipe bomb attackat his home on Thursday, warned that the attack could signal the end of Israeli democracy. Sternhell, a Haaretz columnist and left wing activist, was lightly hurt in the bombing, which occurred as he walked out of his home in a quiet Jerusalem neighborhood shortly after midnight. Police suspect right-wing extremists of having carried out the attack. They said they found fliers offering more than NIS 1 million to anyone who kills members of the left-wing organization Peace Now at Sternhell’s home following the blast. Sternhell, an internationally renowned expert on the history of fascism, was awarded the country’s highest honor, the Israel Prize, earlier this year. VIDEO / Meretz to Livni: Friedmann must go or no deal Mazal Mualem, Ha’aretz 9/27/2008 Meretz will insist on Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann’s removal from office in return for its entering a coalition agreement with Kadima, party seniors Thursday decided ahead of the start of talks with Kadima’s newly-elected leader, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. The party’s demand was made a day after Labor said it would join the coalition only if Friedmann’s reforms are halted. Labor leader, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, said Thursday that his party did not recognize "Friedmann’s initiatives to change the Basic Law, reforms or bills. "Meretz faction leader MK Zahava Gal-On, who will carry out coalition negotiations together with party chairman, MK Haim Oron, said Thursday: "Meretz will not resign itself to freezing Friedmann’s initiatives like Labor. To put an end to this age of Friedmannism and protect the Supreme Court, we must not reappoint Friedmann to the position of Justice Minister. VIDEO / Despite UN speech, Jews dine with Ahmadinejad in New York Reuters, Ha’aretz 9/27/2008 Despite Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s speech Tuesday where he railed against "Zionist murderers," a group of Jews had dinner with the Iranian President Thursday in New York. The Jews were part of a larger group of some 200 people of various faiths including Mennonites, and Zoroastrians who said they wanted to promote peace by meeting such a prominent foe of the United States. Outside the Manhattan hotel near the United Nations where the dinner took place, protesters held up placards such as "No feast with the beast" and likening Ahmadinejad to Hitler. On Tuesday the Iranian leader launched a blistering attack on Israel in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, dwelling on what he described as Zionist control of international finance. President Shimon Peres has said the Iranian president’s address was reminiscent of one the most notoriousanti-Semitic tracts in history. VIDEO - Security forces uncover east Jerusalem terror cell Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 9/24/2008 (Video) Shin Bet, police apprehend terror cell suspected of murdering Border Guard officers David Shriki, Rami Zuari, plotting to assassinate Shas minister. Security officials say rise in east Jerusalem terror due to increased Hamas activity - VIDEO - Cleared for publication: The Shin Bet and Israel Police have recently uncovered a terror cell operating out of east Jerusalem. The cell, consisting of seven Arabs, six of them east Jerusalem residnets, carried out two attacks in the past year in which two Border Guard officers were killed and two others were injured, it was cleared for publication on Wednesday. Ten days ago, the Jerusalem District Prosecution filed indictments against the terrorists for murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and weapons trafficking. VIDEO - Gazan baby born in Israel to mother who remains brain dead after 3 months Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 9/25/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for September 24, 2008. Both celebration and tragedy were evident on Tuesday at an unlikely birth in the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon. A Caesarian section was performed on a woman from Gaza who had spent the last three months of her pregnancy in vegetative state, brain dead after a stroke. She was transferred to Israel when Gaza doctors said they feared they would be unable to care for her. Mohammed has spent the last three months at his wife Vania’s bedside. He and Vania, who married after meeting in Bulgaria, raised two sons together in the Jabalya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. Together, they chose the name Daniel for their unborn son. Related articles: Gazan gives birth in Israel at height of violenceWHO: Israel turning away sick Gazans, who die in ’avoidable. . . VIDEO / Father of Jerusalem attacker: My son’s no terrorist Haaretz Staff and News Agencies, Ha’aretz 9/24/2008 The family of a Palestinian shot dead after his car plowed into pedestrians at a busy Jerusalem intersection challenged on Tuesday Israeli police allegations that he had carried out a deliberate terror attack. But police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said authorities were convinced the attack was politically motivated. "We’re 100 percent sure. . . he deliberately drove into people," Rosenfeld said. Israeli police on Tuesday beefed up patrols around Jerusalem, hours afterMore than a dozen soldiers, on a late-night excursion to the city ahead of the Jewish New Year next week, were injured in Monday’s incident. No Palestinian group has made a credible claim of responsibility. Police, including undercover agents, were out on Jerusalem’s streets in larger numbers, on the lookout for suspicious activity and conducting spot checks of Palestinian pedestrians and vehicles, Rosenfeld said. VIDEO / Syria’s Assad calls for Israel-Syria talks to continue Yoav Stern, Ha’aretz 9/24/2008 Syrian President Basher Assad on Tuesday expressed his desire for indirect talks with Israel, saying that they called for "more time and effort", adding that the talks had the potential to lead to direct negotiations between the two countries. Assad’s statements, which came during a meeting of the National Progressive Front, an umbrella group of parties that support the ruling Ba’ath Party, represent his first call for renewed talks since Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was elected the new leader of the Kadima party. Last Saturday, sources in Turkey told Haaretz that peace talks between Israel and Syria will continue as planned with Livni in charge of the Kadima Party. The sources said that they agree with recent assessment printed in a Turkish paper that predicted Israel will not try to freeze the talks despite the resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. VIDEO - Footage shows 8th grade student abused in school for full year without intervention Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 9/16/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for September 15, 2008. Footage of brutal student violence in what is considered an exclusive school in the Sharon region seems to confirm several recent reports that show an alarming rise school violence in schools. The attacks on this boy, some of which were filmed on other students’ cellular phone cameras, evolved from a regular dispute between eighth grade students to daily abuse over the course of a full year. No one, including those doing the filming, interfered. Related articles:Education Min. takes broader approach in tackling school violence Study: 62 percent of high school teachers have been abused by pupilsNews / Comptroller slams failure to deal with school violence VIDEO - IDF lets the many Israelis hoarding weapons return them with no questions asked Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 9/8/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for September 7, 2008. A new military operation is giving the many Israeli citizens unlawfully hoarding weapons in their homes an opportunity to return them without facing charges. Because such a large percentage of the population has served in the Israel Defense Forces, many ordinarily citizens, at some point, have enjoyed open access to a variety of some of the world’s most advanced weaponry. T he IDF is giving citizens three weeks to return weapons they have illegally taken, assuring that within that period, no questions will be asked and anonymity will be guaranteed. The response has been overwhelming, and some of the items returned have raised more than one set of eyebrows. Related articles:IDF begins collecting weapons from West Bank settlements IDF NCO,. . . VIDEO - Sky News: Israel denies excessive force in rubber bullet killings International Solidarity Movement 9/6/2008 Ramallah Region - Video - Israel is denying using excessive force in the West Bank after two Palestinians were killed and a third was critically injured. Sky’s Dominic Waghorn reports [end] VIDEO - Palestinians clash with IDF as Israel limits entry for Ramadan Reuters, Ha’aretz 9/6/2008 Israeli police said some 90,000 worshipers attended prayers at al-Aqsa, which sits on the complex in the walled Old City known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif. Palestinian access to Jerusalem is already limited because Israel requires those who live in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to obtain hard-to-get permits. Palestinian officials have demanded that Israel provide open access for worshipers. [end] VIDEO - Artsworld - Palestinian theatre Al Jazeera 9/5/2008 Palestine - Freedom theatre - Zakaria Zubeidi is the head of the al Aqsa Martyr’s Brigade in Jenin in the West Bank. But one of the icons of the Palestinian intifada has now put down his weapons and believes that children’s theatre is just an important way to fight for Palestinian statehood. He helps run the Freedom Theatre in the Jenin refugee camp - a pioneering project that is the only professional venue for theatre and the arts in the north of the Palestinian territories. The theatre provides a safe place for children and young Palestinians to express themselves. Artsworld went to find out more. [end] VIDEO / This Ramadan, Arab TV seeks big ratings from captive audience Channel 10 and Haaretz Staff, Ha’aretz 9/5/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for September 4, 2008. Throughout the Muslim world, special TV programs will be airing this week, just in time for Ramadan. With families up late breaking the fast after sunset each night of the month-long holiday, TV producers are banking on a captive audience that will ensure large ratings for their new programs. The biggest hit of this year’s Ramadan, is the Syrian Soap Opera "Bab el-Hara" or neighborhood gate. The program focuses on a Syrian neighborhood during the time of the French occupation between the two world wars, and offers a nostalgic look at life in the Arab world. The series also depicts the rise of Arab nationalism, an issue that for many in the Arab world, is still relevant today. Other popular programs include a biography of former Egyptian president and staunch. . . VIDEO - Ehud Barak talks to Al Jazeera Al Jazeera 9/4/2008 Ehud Barak, the Israeli defence minister, speaks to Al Jazeera’s Jacky Rowland from central command in Tel Aviv. Just two weeks before Israel gets a new prime minister and potentially a new government Barak discusses his own political aspirations. He also talks about Israel’s military preparations for any threat posed by Iran, about controversial Jeiwsh settlements and his country’s security fence. [end] VIDEO - After years of losses, Palestinian stock exchange looks to bright future Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 9/4/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for September 3, 2008. After three years of losses the Palestine Securities Exchange is enjoying increased investor confidence in the Palestinian economy. Better known as the Nablus Stock Market, the PSA was established in 1997 during a period of optimism regarding peace prospects between Israel and the Palestinians. But between 2004 and 2007, the year Hamas took over the Gaza Strip, the PSE lost 50% of its value. Though investors have regained confidence in the Palestinian economy, infighting and Israeli military raids are constant threats to a prosperous future. [end] VIDEO - New ’chameleon’ uniforms meant to boost IDF performance in different environments Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 9/4/2008 The Israel Defense Forces is currently negotiating with an American company in a bid to acquire recently developed state-of-the-art camouflage uniforms. To improve readiness on both Israel’s northern and southern fronts, the IDF is seeking uniforms that can adapt to different physical surroundings and even seasons. T he U. S. Army developed the Chameleon Uniforms, following research on animal camouflage patterns, as a result of its presence in Afghanistan. Related articles: Four wheels and an electronic brain: Meet IDF’s newest soldierIDF to spend NIS 550 million on reservist units in coming year IDF to reestablish unit aimed at monitoring military telephones VIDEO / Eli Yishai says will support Deri in Jerusalem elections Yair Ettinger, Ha’aretz 9/4/2008 Shas chairman Eli Yishai announced yesterday, after a night of consultations regarding rumors that his predecessor Aryeh Deri plans to run for mayor of Jerusalem, that "unequivocally, Shas will back him" if he decides to join the race. The Sephardi ultra-Orthodox party will back Deri even if he runs against another ultra-Orthodox candidate, MK Meir Porush of Agudat Yisrael, Yishai said. Sources close to Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef were previously quoted as saying the rabbi had already pledged the party’s support to Deri if he decides to enter the race. However, Porush supporter and Jerusalem City Council member Yossi Deutsch said Yosef told Porush in a meeting this week that he had not even been asked to support a second ultra-Orthodox candidate run for mayor. VIDEO - Al-Aqsa in danger - now animated Roee Nahmias, YNetNews 9/2/2008 (Video) New video by Hamas TV accuses Haredi Jews of digging under Temple Mount as "Muslim world sleeps’ - VIDEO -Religious Jews are digging under the Temple Mount, encouraged by the IDF, alleged Hamas’ Al-Aqsa television station Tuesday night, in a preview of a new animated incitement film about the al-Aqsa mosque or Temple Mount. The film, provided to Ynet via the Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) organization, shows the characters of a smoking Israeli soldier and Haredi Jews, dressed ridiculously, all digging beneath the Temple Mount. Video courtesy of Palestinian Media Watch -The film is the latest in a series of propaganda films, clips and news articles launched by Hamas and other Arab groups regarding the alleged threat to the Temple Mount caused by Israel. According to PMW, the film’s message is clear: "Jerusalem and the. . . VIDEO - Petah Tikva religious schools reject kids of Ethiopian immigrants Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 9/3/2008 Close to two million children went back to Israeli schools on Monday, but not all of them managed to make it into the classroom. Several Ethiopian families say their children were refused entry by Petah Tikva schools, having been told by administrators that there were too many of their kind. Several religious schools in Petah Tikva came under fire last year for refusing to enroll dozens of Ethiopian children. Because many are in the midst of an obligatory conversion process, they must attend religious schools, some of which reject them, claiming they are not sufficiently Jewish. [end] VIDEO / On 1st day of new school year, one-third of schools lack security guards Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 9/1/2008 Roughly 1. 5 million Israeli children will go back to school on Monday, as the start of the academic year is expected to go ahead with few disruptions. But on the eve of back to school day, it emerged that a lack of security guards will leave the gates of one-third of Israeli schools unprotected. T he difficulty in procuring security stems from low wages schools pay guards, who can easily receive more money at other establishments. [end] VIDEO - Israeli ’Impact Games’ founder promotes peace through video games Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 9/1/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for September 1, 2008. Glorified violence, weapons and car chases are three elements you won’t find in the products created by Impact Games, a company that creates video games that aim for a bit more social awareness. Asi Buark, a former Israel Defense Forces intelligence official, founded Impact Games with Eric Brown, a fellow Carnegie Mellon University graduate, in an attempt to promote social and global change through interactive media. The company produces games that have players strategizing to solve current events and global crises. One game, called Darfur is Dying, puts players in the shoes of a refugee from the battered Sudanese region fighting for survival. VIDEO - NBA’s finest train female basketball hopefuls in Palestinian East Jerusalem Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 9/1/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for August 31, 2008. A basketball court in Jabel Mukaber was the site of an unlikely encounter last week between two very disparate demographics. Palestinian girls from the East Jerusalem neighborhood trained with basketball coaches from the NBA, who visited Israel and the Palestinian Territories in order to give children an opportunity made rare by political and cultural restrictions. However, as is so often the case for girls from traditional backgrounds, visible participation in physical activity generally reserved for their male peers rubs many in the community the wrong way. Related articles:NBA’s only Jew visits Israel to instruct Jewish, Arab children Palestinians and Israelis come together to lose weight, make peaceFrom Australia to Israel, on a footballing peace mission Also on Haaretz. VIDEO - The Scottish van goes back home Haitham Sabbah, Palestine Think Tank Khalil is back home after the Egyptian authorities refused the van entry with the medicine donated from the Scottish people to the people of Gaza. Watch Khalil’s message to the Egyptian government, Palestinians and the world. [end] VIDEO - Fearing Israeli strike on Iran, U.S. refused to sell J’lem refueling planes Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 8/21/2008 It emerged on Wednesday that the United States has refused to sell Jerusalem new refueling planes, fearing such a transaction could be interpreted as support for an Israeli attack on Iran. Haaretz reported last weekthat the U. S. had rejected a request for military equipment that would improve Israel’s ability to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. Jerusalem denied that report. But new information released Wednesday revealed that the nature of the equipment refused would strengthen the Israel Air Force in one of its weakest areas. The IAF has in its possession only seven refueling planes, many of which are more than 40 years old. Israel had requested new Boeing 767 planes, necessary for refueling during long-distance operations. The Americans rejected the request roughly three weeks ago during a visit to Washington by Defense Minister Ehud Barak. VIDEO - Religious modesty guard ’enjoys support of rabbis and police’ Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 8/20/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for August 19, 2008. A member of the Modesty Patrol, a group of ultra-Orthodox men working to eradicate so-called immodest behavior in Haredi areas, has detailed in a rare interview an organization that enjoys the support of rabbis and the police. The group has existed in some form since the establishment of the State of Israel, and is suspected of recently stepping up its violent acts. While it claims its focus is on advocacy, members have been recently been accused of breaking into homes, violent assault and forcing women to move to the back of public buses. Related articles:VIDEO / Ultra-Orthodox ’Modesty Guard’ suspected of beating Jerusalem woman Beit Shemesh protest against Haredi violence draws 1,500U. VIDEO / Who will represent Israel at the opening of the UN General Assembly? Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 8/20/2008 The annual United Nations General Assembly is around the corner, but it is presently unclear who will represent Israel at the opening of the 63rd session. The prime minister generally addresses the international community in New York. But this year, a Kadima primary will coincide with the opening of the session and will result in a replacement for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. As foreign minister, Tzipi Livni is a natural stand-in for Olmert at the assembly, but she is currently a top contender in the primary. Should she win, she is likely to be too busy trying to form a government to fly to New York. Another natural choice is President Shimon Peres, but he too will be needed in Israel in order to formally ask the winner of the primary to form a new government. VIDEO - Gaza militants train women suicide bombers in case of renewed violence Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 8/20/2008 The cease-fire agreement struck between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip has brought a semblance of calm to the region, but neither side has stopped preparing for the possible renewal of violence. In Gaza, Islamic Jihad members recently offered TV cameras a rare glimpse into training undergone by women who are prepared to carry out suicide attacks should the Israel Defense Forces reinvade the coastal territory. T he women take as an example Fatma Al-Najar, a 57-year-old grandmother who blew herself up in Gaza in 2006, wounding three soldiers. Related articles: Israeli movie turns camera on female would-be suicide bombersIsraeli film on mothers of suicide bomber, victim tapped for 3 Emmys Fatma Al-Najar, 57, becomes first grandmother suicide bomberAlso on Haaretz. VIDEO - In village with no power, Bedouin family fights to keep baby’s respirator working Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 8/18/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 daily feature for August 17, 2008. Eight-month-old Shaimah was born with a rare brain defect. She cannot breathe on her own, and must be hooked up to a respirator 24 hours a day. The fight for Shaima’s life takes isn’t the only struggle her family is conducting. On a second front - they face the state of Israel, which refuses to hook their village up to electricity. The village of Al-Bat is one of roughly 45 Bedouin villages unrecognized by the state. Like the others, it is not supplied with running water, electricity, or other basic services. Related articles. . . -- See also: Poll: 70% of youth don't think Bedouin deserve same rights as Jews and No health care for 80% of Bedouin women in unrecognized towns VIDEO - Supreme Court releases settlers charged with assaulting Palestinian Aviad Glickman, YNetNews 8/17/2008 (Video) Supreme Court orders release of settlers who kidnapped, severely beat Palestinian farmer from police custody, saying house arrest far from their Hebron area will reduce risk they will commit similar crimes - VIDEO -The Supreme Court reversed Sunday a previous ruling by the Beersheba District Court and determined that the three Jewish settlers from the south Mount Hebron area who are accused of kidnapping and beating a Palestinian will be placed under house arrest. Incident at Asael outpost (Video: Assaf and Efrat, ISM) The presiding judge said the decision to place the settlers under house arrest in Beersheba and Jerusalem was based on the fact that their motive for committing the act was "ideological" and therefore relocating them from the West Bank would reduce the risk that they would commit similar crimes in the future. VIDEO - Thousands protest in favor of Falash Mura immigration Shlomit Sharvit, YNetNews 8/17/2008 (Video) Mass demonstration held in front of Prime Minister’s Office for 8,700 Falash Mura members who were promised aliyah in 2005, yet remain in Ethiopia; nine protestors arrested - VIDEO - Taish Tafaka, a 29-year-old mother of two, has been in Israel for four years. Her father, brother and sister are in Gondar, Ethiopia and are presently forbidden from immigrating to Israel. Jerusalem rally (Video: Infolive. tv) "Why are they separating us? " Tafaka asked on Sunday morning alongside 5,000 people in a protest in front of the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, in which some people were arrested. [end] VIDEO / Israel pins Olympic hopes on windsurfer Zubari as other Israeli athletes knocked out Haaretz Staff, Ha’aretz 8/16/2008 Israeli riflemen Gil Simkovitch and Guy Starik failed to qualify for the final of the men’s shooting event at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing on Friday morning, and were knocked out of the competition. The pair competed in the 50m prone event, where they ranked out of the top eight spots and therefore failed to reach the finals. Veteran rifleman Starik finished 12th in the competition, with a total of 594 points out of a possible 600. Simkovitch finished 22nd with a total of 592 points. Meanwhile, all sailing events were postponed Friday due to lack of wind, and are to resume Saturday. To recount, windsurfer Shahar Zubari maintains a comfortable lead at the end of four races. Zubari ranked first in one race and third in another, and appears to be the Israeli delegation’s only real shot at an Olympic medal. VIDEO - Escalating harassment from settlers in Hebron International Solidarity Movement 8/13/2008 Hebron Region - Video - On 9th August 2008 15:48 At around 15:30 three donkeys which had been stolen by settlers in the morning were released by Palestinians under protection from Israeli police. This took place on land that has been occupied by settlers illegaly for 5 months. The land is owned by Palestinians and has grape, olive and almond treas on it that the Jabar family rely on for income. It has now become impossible for the family to enter this land. On 9th August 2008 at 17:30 the Jabar family were attacked by settlers who threw stones at their house and tried to steal their sheep. When the army arrived at the place they pushed away the Palestinians who tried to prevent the settlers to steal their sheep. The settlers eventually stole 4 of the family’s sheep. On 10th August at 17:30 8 settlers entered the H1 area of Hebron and began to pray. VIDEO / Mahmoud Darwish - The death of a Palestinian cultural symbol Avi Issacharoff and Jack Khoury, Ha’aretz 8/14/2008 RAMALLAH - Midway through the first eulogy for the Palestinian national poet Mahmoud Darwish, delivered by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Fatma began to tear up. As she stood at the back of the hall at the Muquata Wednesday, she was visibly gripped by sorrow. "I’m crying because I feel our hope has died," she told Haaretz. Fatma, an Israeli, decided to come bid farewell to the man who had become her cultural hero. "He was a symbol of our homeland, and now we feel there are no symbols left. He spoke to our emotions, as a nation, and now he’s gone," she said. As Abbas’ speech went on, more and more mourners broke down and wept. Even Abbas’ longtime secretary, Intissar, began to cry. It is doubtful that Mahmoud Darwish, who died last weekend at 67 following heart surgery at an American hospital, knew he would be so honored in his death. VIDEO - Continued violence and repression against the popular protests against the wall in Ni’lin International Solidarity Movement 8/8/2008 Ramallah Region - Photos - On the 7th of August around 300 hundred people protested against the building of the apartheid wall at the land of Ni’lin. The demonstration started at 11 am and marched from the village centre. It reached the construction site managing to stop the bulldozers from working for a while before being attacked and driven back by border police. They kicked, punched and arrested Palestinian, Israeli and international protesters, also using tear gas and sound grenades. In a continuing pattern of intimidation of Ni’lin’s Popular Committee, Mohammed Abdelkader Amira was arrested along with an Israeli activist. Due to the violence from the border police the demonstration pulled back and clashes soon broke out between the Israeli army and young men and boys from the village. VIDEO - Hilles family: Hamas will pay for blood spilt Ynet reporters, YNetNews 8/3/2008 (Video) Head of Fatah-affiliated clan who fled into Israel along with 180 of his men following day of battle in Gaza, tells Ynet, ’Hamas has removed itself from circles of national Palestinian organizations’ - VIDEO -Ahmed Hilles, head of the Fatah-affiliated clan, told Ynet on Sunday morning that Hamas started the recent infighting in Gaza "because it doesn’t want to see such a big and strong family like mine. " Video courtesy ofinfolive. tv The clan was involved Saturday in a deadly day of battle with Hamas’ security forces in the Gaza City neighborhood of Sajaiyeh. Some of the family members, however, appeared to be insecure and terrified of a possible return to the Strip. Early Sunday morning, the Israel Defense Forces beganreturning the dozens of Fatah members who escaped from Gaza on Saturday back to. . . VIDEO - Hamas arrests returning Fatah members Ali Waked, YNetNews 8/3/2008 (Video) Security sources tell Ynet 32 Palestinians who escaped from Strip sent back to Gaza on Saturday night, following agreement reached between Defense Minister Barak, Palestinian President Abbas. Hamas sources say group detained by organization’s police officers, promise not to hurt them - VIDEO - The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday morning began returning the dozens of Fatah members who escaped from Gaza on Saturday back to the Strip, despite an earlier agreement betweenIsrael and the Palestinian Authority that the men would be transferred to the West Bank. Video courtesy ofinfolive. tv Hamas sources told Ynet that some of the group members were arrested upon their return, but their number and identity was unclear. Infighting9 killed as Hamas raids Fatah stronghold in Gaza /and AP Islamist group’ security. . . VIDEO - IDF allows fleeing Fatah members into Israel Ali Waked, YNetNews 8/2/2008 (VIDEO) 180 Fatah members enter country through Nahal Oz terminal after Hamas asserts control in Gaza City stronghold of clan linked to Abbas’ faction following fierce clashes; sources in Strip say former Tanzim leader Ahmad Hilles among those allowed entry. Wounded evacuated to Israeli hospitals - VIDEO - More than 180 Fatah members who fled Gaza City following Hamas’ raid on a stronghold of the Hilles clan were allowed to enterIsrael through the Nahal Oz terminal after laying down their arms and undergoing an initial interrogation; 22 of those who have entered Israel were injured during the clashes. Hamas Raid6 killed as Hamas raids Fatah stronghold in Gaza /and AP Islamist group’ security forces raid stronghold of Fatah-allied Hilles clan in Gaza City. In retaliation, masked Fatah gunmen in West Bank briefly seized Hamas-linked university professor in West Bank. VIDEO - Palestinians capture violence of Israeli occupation on video Peter Beaumont, The Guardian 7/30/2008 VIDEO - Shooting Back: Israeli occupation filmed by 100 Palestinian cameras Peter Beaumont, The Guardian 7/30/2008 In a graphic and hard-hitting film, Peter Beaumont speaks to Palestinians filming abuse from settlers and Israeli armed forces as part of a remarkable project called Shooting Back. [end] Video nation George Rishmawi, International Middle East Media Center News 7/29/2008 B’Tselem, a Jerusalem-based NGO, released video footage this week of a handcuffed Palestinian detainee being shot in the leg by an Israeli soldier. The footage is part of a new trend to use video footage to document abuses against Palestinians by Israeli soldiers and settlers. On July 20, Jerusalem-based human rights group B’Tselem released video footage showing an Israeli soldier shooting a handcuffed Palestinian detainee in the knee with a rubber-coated steel bullet. A 14-year-old Palestinian girl, Salaam Kanan, shot the footage two weeks earlier in the West Bank village of Ni’lin, using nothing but her own cellphone camera. B’Tselem, also known as the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, decided to go public with the information after it had sent the footage to the Israeli army in early July to no effect. VIDEO - Settlers attempt to prevent farmers working their land in Susiya International Solidarity Movement 7/27/2008 Hebron Region - Video - On Saturday 26th of July at 15:00 around 10 Palestinian farmers and 20 Israeli and international peace activists went to escort two Palestinians driving tractors in Susiya. The tractors would be escorted to land that they aren’t able to work without such assistance. While walking towards the land to be farmed the group was stopped by a settler who told one of the Palestinian farmers "your land is there, go there!". As a result there was an argument between the Palestinian and the settler, however the group was able to continue after a brief interruption. After the second interruption from the same settler the army arrived and attempted to block the group’s progression towards the land where the tractors were meant to arrive. The army however, was unable to stop the procession as they appear to have no jurisdiction over Israeli citizens. VIDEO / MK Lieberman: Either charge me for corruption or drop case Tomer Zarchin, Ha’aretz 7/27/2008 Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman on Sunday petitioned the High Court of Justice to instruct Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to either file an indictment over the ongoing investigation against him or dismiss the case. Lieberman is suspected of illicit business dealings in Russia and corruption offenses related to election campaign funding in 1998 and ’99. Police also suspect Lieberman of having taken hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of bribes while serving as a cabinet minister from 2001 to 2004. In the petition - which opens with the words "there has never been an incident like this in Israel’s history" - Lieberman accuses the attorney general of an ongoing delay of justice. Lieberman said that the prosecution and police are trying to draw out the investigation until the next elections. VIDEO - Women’s demonstration in Nilin is attacked by Israeli army International Solidarity Movement 7/25/2008 Ramallah Region - Video - Photos - On the 23rd of July a women’s demonstration against the construction of the apartheid wall took place in Ni’lin. Girls from the local summer camp had painted placards and made two big banners saying "Women against the Apartheid wall" for the demonstration. Palestinian women came all the way from Tulkarem and Ramallah to join the demonstration. In total around 100 Palestinian, international and Israeli women participated in the march aiming at the bulldozers working on the construction site of the apartheid wall. When having the bulldozer in site the women were violently stopped by Israeli soldiers who used teargas, sound bombs and physical violence. The women did not surrender but continued the chanting and tried to reach the bulldozers. The demonstrators succeeded to approach the bulldozers until being only 20 meters away. VIDEO / Another delay in Katsav sex crimes indictment as case transferred Tomer Zarchin, Ha’aretz 7/25/2008 Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and State Prosecutor Moshe Lador decided on Thursday to transfer the sex crimes case involving former president Moshe Katsav from the Jerusalem District prosecution to attorney Ronit Amiel at the Central District prosecution. The decision was made as a result of the conclusion that the Jerusalem District prosecutors held polar views regarding the case and could not reach a consensus on an indictment against Katsav. Katsav has been accused by several female ex-employees of various sex crimes, including rape in some cases. His attorneys reached a plea agreement with the attorney General last June under which Earlier the rape charges against him would have been dropped and he would have served no active jail time. However, Katsav later withdrew from the agreement, opting for a trial. VIDEO - Olmert: Talansky left great imprint on my life Ynet, YNetNews 7/23/2008 (Video) Birthday video made by prime minister nearly five years ago at request of Morris Talansky’s family has him sending heartfelt regards to his friend, praising him for ’never wanting anything for himself’ - VIDEO - Five years ago Ehud Olmert, then mayor of Jerusalem, was asked to make a short video in honor of one of his dearest friend’s 70th birthdays. That friend was none other than American businessmanMorris Talansky, who is now a key witness in the corruption investigation against the prime minister. It was one of Talansky’s grandchildren who asked Olmert to take part in the family project, and he was more than happy to oblige. " Morris is an unusual character. I must say of all the people that I met in the last decade this guy has left the greatest imprint on my life and on my day to day activities of all the people I met. VIDEO - News / Bulldozer driver goes on rampage in Jerusalem, wounding at least 24 Channel 10 and Haaretz Staff, Ha’aretz 7/23/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 news brief for July 21, 2008. In this edition:A Palestinian bulldozer driver goes on a rampage in downtown Jerusalem on Tuesday, wounding at least 24 people, just weeks after a similar attack in the capital left three dead. [end] VIDEO - Killing of terrorist captured on video Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/22/2008 Caught on video: Bulldozer driver goes on rampage in Jerusalem, wounds 18 people; terror attack ends quickly thanks to rapid respone by settler Yaakov Asael, Druze Border Guard officer Amal Ganem who shot and killed terrorist - VIDEO - The Jerusalem bulldozer attack Tuesday afternoon left 18 people wounded but could have been much worse had it not been for the quick reaction of settler Yaakov Asael and Border Guard officer Amal Ganem, who shot and killed the terrorist. The last moments of the incident were captured on video. The video shows Ganem fire at the terrorist from one side of the bulldozer. In the backdrop a man is heard saying "is there anyone here who can provide first aid? There’s somebody wounded here. " Ganem is then seen moving over to the other side of the bulldozer, while an eyewitness tells him that the driver is still alive: "He’s not dead, he’s dead. VIDEO - 16 injured in Jerusalem digger attack The Guardian 7/22/2008 A Palestinian in a mechanical digger causes havoc in central Jerusalem, injuring up to 16 people before being shot dead in a near-identical repeat of an attack three weeks ago. [end] VIDEO / Soldier filmed shooting bound Palestinian: Commander told me ’shoot him’ News Agencies, Ha’aretz 7/22/2008 The Israel Defense Forces soldier who was filmed shooting a bound and blindfolded Palestinian with a rubber bullet at point blank range told military investigators on Monday that his regiment commander had ordered him to fire. The incident was caught on camera by a villager and released Sunday by the human rights group B’Tselem. The footage apparently shows a soldier firing his rifle toward a Palestinian detained at the protest in the West Bank village of Na’alin. The rifle appeared to have been modified to fire rubber-coated metal bullets. During his questioning, the soldier said that his commander, lieutenant colonel Omri, had told him "shoot him" three times. He then fired his rifle at the protester’s foot. Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday condemnded the incident. VIDEO - Ashraf Abu Rahme shot by Israeli army while handcuffed and blindfolded Video, International Solidarity Movement 7/20/2008 Ramallah Region - Bil’in Village - In video footage released on the 20th July by B’Tselem, Ashraf Abu Rahme of Bil’in village, can be seen being handcuffed, blindfolded and then shot at close range by the Israeli army. Ashraf was taking part in a solidarity demonstration attempting to break the siege of Ni’lin when he was detained by the army. While clearly handcuffed and unable to see, an Israeli soldier can be seen shooting Ashraf in the foot with a rubber-coated steel bullet from extremely close range, while another soldier holds him by the arm. The footage was filmed by a resident of Ni’lin who showed it to international solidarity activists living in Ni’lin on the 19th July. The ISM activists were shocked by the footage and quickly passed it on to B’Tselem who have released it to the local, Israeli and international media. VIDEO - Elderly Palestinian couple hit with guns by Israeli soldiers International Solidarity Movement 7/20/2008 Hebron Region - Video - Photos - On Friday the 18th of July settlers from Karmeel disrupted an old couple in the village of Um al Khaer. This happened at about 11. 15 am, when the couple and a donkey were on their way back from the fields after having collected wood. The settlers called the army, who soon arrived at the spot. The couple reported that the soldiers hit the old couple with guns and they also insulted the woman verbally. At 12:15pm Israeli and international activists arrived and attempted to get in touch with the soldiers responsible for the assault. Instead a settler responsible for "security" met the activists and tried to unlawfully detain one of them. Following this illegal detainment an Israeli Human Rights Worker (HRW) tried to intervene, but was kicked to the ground by the "security" man from the settlement. VIDEO - Soldier who fired in Naalin incident arrested Ali Waked, YNetNews 7/21/2008 (VIDEO) Criminal investigation launched against soldier caught on tape firing towards bound Palestinian. Regarding late response to incident, military officials say that despite presence of officer at scene, investigation was launched only after tape was submitted - VIDEO -The incident in which an IDF soldier fired rubber bullets at a bound Palestinian who had been arrested in Naalin reached the Investigating Military Police (IMP) only after the military advocate general watched the documentation of the incident, despite the fact that it was witnessed by an Armored Corps regiment commander and several other soldiers in the vicinity. Military officials told Ynet that the firing soldier had been arrested. According to one source, "he was questioned a short while after the incident, but only today, after the military advocate general watched the video tape, a criminal investigation was launched. VIDEO - IDF soldier documented firing towards bound Palestinian Ali Waked, YNetNews 7/20/2008 (VIDEO) Palestinian teen films soldier aiming towards bound demonstrator arrested in Naalin, firing rubber bullets while officer holds man’s arm; Palestinian claims was injured by fire. IDF: This serious incident negates army values - VIDEO -The IDF has begun to investigate an incident in which rubber bullets were fired towards a bound Palestinian man who had been apprehended during the demonstrations against the border fence in the West Bank village of Naalin. A 14-year old girl from the village filmed the incident from the window of her home, and the tape has reached Ynet, though the first few seconds immediately following the shooting are missing. The IDF has stated that the incident is serious and negates the army’s values, and that the Investigating Military Police (IMP) have launched an inquiry into the matter after receiving the tape. VIDEO / Olmert’s lawyer: Police pressure shaped Talansky testimony Barak Ravid and Ofra Edelman, Ha’aretz 7/21/2008 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s defense attorneys on Sunday accused the police of trying to sway the testimony of the key witness in a corruption probe being waged against the premier, and suggested the suspicions be brought before the State Comptroller for review. The prosecution’s key witness, Jewish American businessman Morris Talansky, said Sunday stated Olmert’s attorneys were trying to destroy his good name and his privacy and accused them of trying to "tear me apart" over things he said they know little about. Talansky entered a third day of cross-examination by Olmert’s defense team on Sunday in the corruption investigation against the prime minister dubbed the "cash envelopes" affair. Olmert is suspected of having illicitly received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Talansky over the course of 15 years. VIDEO - Abbas congratulates Kuntar’s family; Haniyeh: Israel will pay more YNetNews 7/17/2008 (VIDEO) Palestinian president welcomes swap deal between Israel, Hizbullah. Hamas’ prime minister in Gaza says, ’The resistance’s victory proved the rightness of our way. ’ Spokesman for Popular Resistance Committees says kidnapping soldiers is ideal way to release Palestinian prisoners - Israel NewsVIDEO - Celebrating in Gaza and Ramallah as well: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday welcomed the execution of the prisoner exchange deal betweenIsrael and Hizbullah. Abbas congratulated the family of released Lebanese murderer Samir Kuntar and sent his condolences to the Lebanese families receiving their loved ones’ bodies as part of the deal. Video courtesy ofInfolive. tv Hamas’ prime minister in the Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniyeh, congratulated Kuntar and Hizbullah for "the great victory of the resistance, which proved the rightness of our way. VIDEO - Captives’ families devastated at footage of coffins YNetNews 7/17/2008 (VIDEO) Regev, Goldwasser family members break down after seeing images of loved ones’ coffins turned over to Israel; said to identify remains later Wednesday, hold ceremony at northern IDF Shraga’s Base - Israel News VIDEO - After two years of holding out hope the worst has happened:Cries of horror sounded at the Regev and Goldwasser homes Wednesday, as family members witnessed the TV broadcast of the prisoner exchange, in which the coffins of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser were shown being turned over to the Red Cross. Video courtesy ofInfolive. tv The prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hizbullah began at 9 am at the Israel-Lebanon border crossing at Rosh Hanikra. Final StretchIsrael-Hizbullah prisoner exchange kicks off/ Ynet reporters Abduction affair which ignited Second Lebanon War comes to its end as. . . VIDEO - Kidnapped troops return in coffins from Lebanon YNetNews 7/16/2008 (VIDEO) Abduction affair which ignited Second Lebanon War comes to its tragic end as bodies of Eldad Regev, Ehud Goldwasser transferred to Israel, undergo final identification. Earlier, Samir Kuntar, four other Lebanese prisoners leave Israeli prison, arrive at IDF base in northern Israel before being returned to Lebanon - Israel NewsVIDEO - Abduction affair which ignited Second Lebanon Warcomes to its tragic end: The bodies of Israel Defense Forces soldiersStaff Sergeant Eldad Regev and Sergeant Major Ehud Goldwasser were handed over to the Red Cross on the Lebanese side of the border Wednesday morning, more than two years after they were kidnapped into Lebanon on July 12, 2006. Upon the caskets’ arrival in Israel, they underwent an identification process, which was completed Wednesday afternoon. VIDEO - Lebanese killer released as part of Israeli soldier swap Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem, The Guardian 7/16/2008 Five Lebanese prisoners, including the notorious murderer Samir Qantar, crossed free out of Israel today in a prisoner swap after the Hizbullah militant group handed over two black caskets containing the remains of two Israeli soldiers. Although it was widely assumed in Israel that the two soldiers were dead, it was the first confirmation for their families that Eldad Regev, 27, and Ehud Goldwasser, 32, had died either during or after their capture in a Hizbullah ambush two years ago, which sparked the Lebanon war. A convoy of Hizbullah four-wheel drive cars delivered the caskets to the border crossing at Rosh Hanikra where they were carried over by the Red Cross and handed to the Israeli military. VIDEO - Kuntar’s brother: I’ve dreamt of his release all my life YNetNews 7/15/2008 (Video) Lebanese terrorist to receive hero’s welcome; fireworks, gatherings and billboards prepared to mark his return in framework of prisoner exchange. Nabih Berri: Slain Hizbullah gunmen hurt Israel’s deterrence - VIDEO - Final preparations were being made Tuesday evening on the Lebanese side of the border for the prisoner exchange between Israel and Hizbullah, with gunmen belonging to the Shiite group setting up a stage adorned with the photos of Samir Kuntar and the four other terrorists who are slated for release on Wednesday. Israel is expected to free the five terrorists in exchange for the return of IDF soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, who were captured by the Lebanese Shiite group in 2006 and are presumed dead. Kuntar, Israel’s longest-held Lebanese prisoner, reviled by Israelis as a man with blood on his hands, will get a hero’s welcome when he returns home on Wednesday. VIDEO - ’Don’t expect any drama,’ says Talansky of upcoming court date Tal Rabinovsky, YNetNews 7/15/2008 (Video) Key witness in corruption investigation against Prime Minister Olmert meets reporters, says upcoming cross examination by premier’s legal team will prove anticlimactic - VIDEO -Just two days before taking the stand once more and undergoing what is sure to be a grueling cross examination, American businessman Morris Talanksy, who is considered the key witness in the corruption investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, promised his follow-up testimony will prove uneventful. Talansky, well aware of the media pandemonium surrounding both the investigation and histestimony, tried to play down his part in the case, saying that the story may not be as dramatic as the media has portrayed it, and predicating an anticlimactic end to the whole affair. Video: Ohad Avidan keiner"Some people want to cut me to pieces, but don’t worry, they won’t," he told reporters Tuesday. VIDEO - Hizbullah: Israel’s approval of prisoner swap official admission of defeat Associated Press, YNetNews 7/15/2008 (Video) Shiite group’s commander in south Lebanon says upcoming prisoner exchange ’humiliating failure in confronting the resistance militarily and politically’ - VIDEO -A senior Hizbullah official said the government’s approval Tuesday of a prisoner swap with his organization is an official admission of Israel’s defeat. Hizbullah’s commander in southLebanon, Sheik Nabil Kaouk, says an upcoming prisoner exchange shows Israel’s "humiliating failure in confronting the resistance militarily and politically. " The cabinet approved the deal Tuesday, a day ahead of the expected return of five Lebanese prisoners, including terrorist Samir Kuntar, in exchange for the two IDF captive soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, who were captured by Hizbullah in July 2006. Kaouk said he considers the approval an "official admission of defeat. VIDEO - Get on the Boat to GAZA! Free Gaza Movement, Palestine Think Tank 7/14/2008 YouTube Video about the situation in the Gaza Stri and the Free Gaza Movement. [end] -- See also: Free Gaza Movement VIDEO - Member of the Popular Committee in Ni’lin arrested during demonstration Video by Israel Putermam, International Solidarity Movement 7/14/2008 Ramallah Region - Video - Photos - More than 100 villagers from Nilin, together with international and Israeli activists, marched towards the nearby settlements that unlawfully separates the village in two. The peaceful demonstrators were intercepted at the entrance to the village by the Israeli army who used excessive force to drive them back. They fired teargas, stun bombs and rubber bullets into the crowd on sight with no provocationFive demonstrators were injured, including one Swedish international solidarity activist who was shot by a teargas canister fired as a projectile missile causing deep burns. Others were hit by rubber bullets and one man, Salah Mohammad Al Khawaja was injured, arrested and then taken by the Israeli authorities. Al Khwaja is one of the leaders of the Committee Against the Wall in Ni’lin. VIDEO - Olmert, Assad a touch away on Champs-Elysees Roni Sofer, YNetNews 7/14/2008 (Video) Mediterranean Forum ends with festive Bastille Day military parade but no handshake for Israeli, Syrian leaders - PARISThe leaders of Israeland Syriahave never been closer: A mere one or two meters stood between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Syrian PresidentBashar Assad Monday, as the two participated in France’s annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Video courtesy ofInfolive. tv The two did not shake hands. In fact, Assad avoided making eye contact with Olmert, turning his back to him. During the diplomatic meetings in Paris, Olmert warned of the weapon smuggling from Syria toHizbullah. No Direct ExchangeReport: Olmert relays message to Assad in Paris/ Israeli, Syrian leaders fail to shake hands during Mediterranean Forum in French capital, but continue to exchange messages through Turkish mediator. VIDEO - AlJazeera: Norman Finkelstein versus Ariel Sharon’s advisor on the wall International Solidarity Movement 7/14/2008 The Israeli separation wall making its way through the West Bank cuts to the heart of the Palestinian-Israeli issue: Will the final settlement between these two peoples be negotiated, or imposed unilaterally by Israel? [end] VIDEO - Gaza crossings closed in response to mortar attack Hanan Greenberg, YNetNews 7/8/2008 Merely two days after Israel opens crossings with Strip, Defense Minister Barak orders they close in response to recent rocket fire on western Negev - Defense Minister Ehud Barak ruled Monday against the reopening of Israel’s goods crossings with Gaza on Tuesday, in wake of Sunday’s mortar fire on Israel. Palestinian gunmen fired a mortar shell at Karni crossing on noon Sunday. The rocket landed in an open area near the crossing causing no injuries or damage. Barak’s order came just 48 hours after Israel reopened the crossings, in accordance to thceasefire agreement brokered with the militant groups in the Gaza Strip. Video courtesy of infolive. tv Sunday saw a another violation of the truce, as Palestinian snipers fired at farmers at Kibbutz Nahal Oz. No injuries or damage were reported in the incident, which was the first of its kind since the ceasefire came into effect. VIDEO - News / Iran releases video of man facing death for spying for Israel Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 7/8/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 news roundup for July 7, 2008. Iran releases an interrogation video of the man sentenced to death for spying for Israel President Moshe Katsav asks the Treasury to finance a luxury vehicle and a lavish Tel Aviv office. Prime Minister Olmert and Nasrallah sign the prisoner swap deal expected to go into effect next week [end] VIDEO - News/ IDF: Jlem attacker’s home should be sealed off, not demolished Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 7/7/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 news roundup for July 6, 2008. Home Front recommends the Jerusalem attacker’s home be sealed off, not demolished. Activity in a Galilee cemetery suggests preparations for a prisoners swap with Hezbollah are underway. More than 100 kilograms of cocaine are confiscated at a Haifa port. [end] VIDEO - Palestinian: Soldiers looked on as settlers assaulted me Ali Waked, YNetNews 7/6/2008 (Video) Man beaten by settlers in South Mount Hebron on Saturday tells Ynet of moments of fear, IDF troops’ failure to intervene. ’I called out to the soldiers for help, but they didn’t move,’ he says - VIDEO -A Palestinian beaten by settlers in South Mount Hebron on Saturday claimed IDF soldiers stationed in the area refused to help him. "I was beaten by the settlers for about 40 minutes. They hit me all over my body, but mainly in the head, the stomach, the pelvis and the shoulders. I lost consciousness a few times, and when I woke up I called out to the soldiers who were there, ’Help, stop them, help me,’ but they didn’t move," the man, Abu Karash, told Ynet on Sunday morning. Video: Assaf and Efrat, ISMAbu Karash, a teacher, received medical treatment at the Hebron hospital. VIDEO - Weekly demonstrations in Bil’in and al-Khader IMEMC, International Solidarity Movement 7/4/2008 Bil’in Village - Bethlehem Region - Two international activists and a Palestinian injured in Bil’in Weekly Protest - Video by Israel Putermam - Three activists were injured by Israeli forces on Friday in the weekly protest against the separation wall in Bil’in; near the West Bank city of Ramallah: two of them are French activists and the third one is Mohamad Ali Abo Sa’di 65 years old, in addition to the dozens of protesters were treated for tear gas inhalation. Villagers from Bil’in marched together with international and Israeli solidarity activists after Friday prayers, carrying Palestinian flags and banners demanding the removal of the Israeli wall and settlements, while calling on the international community to lift the siege on Gaza and help Palestinians retain Jerusalem. Participants also demanded that the Israeli army stop killing Palestinian civilians and end the use of live ammunition against non-violent protesters. VIDEO - Palestinian farmer kidnapped, bound and abused by settlers International Solidarity Movement 7/5/2008 Hebron Region - Video - On the 5th of July, Palestinian farmer Medhat Abu Karsheh, 30 years old, was attacked on his land by armed settlers from the illegal outpost of Asaeel, south of Hebron. Abu Kersheh was kidnapped and bound to a pole for several hours in the burning sun next to the outpost. Settlers brutally battered him and according to witnesses threw hot water over him. Around 10 am international and Israeli human rights activists arrived to the illegal outpost Asaeel finding the Palestinian farmer Medhat Abu Karsheh from the village Samoa tied to a pole. The kidnapping and the abuse started approximately two hours earlier. Medhat was taken by the settlers while trying to stop a fire they started on his land. The military refused to release Abu Karsheh or let any Palestinian or activist come closer than 20 meters. VIDEO - Ni’lin: our struggle against the Apartheid Wall Palestinian grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign, Stop The Wall 7/3/2008 This video shows the ongoing struggle of Nilin village against the occupation’s campaign of dispossession. Located in west Ramallah district, the village lost the greater part of its lands in 1948. The Apartheid Wall is now destroying the rest of the lands, the villages thriving economy. Farmers, workers and small businessmen are all equally affected by the ghettoization of the village. The bulldozers arrived in Spring 2008 to destroy the farm lands and isolate them behind the Wall. However, the occupation forces have met with determined resistance. Hundreds of people are out in the fields three times a week to ensure that the works for the Wall are interrupted or delayed. As the international community stands idle, unwilling to implement its own decisions on the illegality of the Wall, the people from. . . VIDEO - News / Police tear down mourning tent erected by Jerusalem terrorist’s family Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 7/4/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 news roundup for July 3, 2008. Border Police tear down a mourning tent erected for the man behind Wednesday’s terror attack. The perpetrator’s Jewish ex-girlfirend gives a different view of Hussam Duwiyat. Preparations begin for the prisoner exchange between Israel and Hezbollah. Related articles: Olmert: Raze terrorist’s home, revoke family’s social benefits ANALYSIS / Terrorist or petty criminal run amok? Mother of Kuntar victim: This monster will be a Lebanon hero Also on Haaretz. com TV: Language barrier lands immigrant soldier in military police detention Terrorist kills three, wounds dozens in downtown J’lem rampage News / U. S. official says concerned Israel will attack Iran by end of 2008 For more video news and features, visit Haaretz. com TV VIDEO - Man shot dead after Jerusalem bulldozer rampage Mark Tran, David Batty and agencies, The Guardian 7/2/2008 A man seized control of a bulldozer and overturned a bus on a main road in Jerusalem today, killing at least three people before he was shot dead, Israeli police said. Officials identified the man as a Palestinian resident of east Jerusalem who had an Israeli identification card and a criminal record. He was shot by an off-duty soldier and then by an anti-terrorism officer, Eli Mizrahi. "I ran up the stairs [of the vehicle] and, when he was still driving like crazy and trying to harm civilians, I fired at him twice more and, that’s it, he was liquidated," Mizrahi said. A TV camera captured footage of the caterpillar bulldozer crushing a vehicle and an off-duty soldier shooting the driver in the head several times at point-blank range. VIDEO - 3 killed as Palestinian bulldozer driver goes on killing spree in Jerusalem Efrat Weiss, YNetNews 7/2/2008 (Video) Bulldozer driven by Palestinian resident of east Jerusalem tramples over pedestrians, cars in central Jerusalem; driver shot dead by police officer; three women killed, dozens injured in attack. Reports say two buses flipped over by tractor - VIDEO - Three women were killed and at least 30 more people were injured when a bulldozer driven by a Palestinian resident of east Jerusalem trampled over pedestrians and vehicles and plowed into two buses in downtown Jerusalem at around noon Wednesday. Magen David Adom reported of casualties on Rashi, Jaffa and Sarei Yisrael streets. The driver, who reportedly had a criminal record and was the holder of an Israeli (blue) identification card, was shot dead by a SWAT officer near the old Shaare Zedek Medical Center. The terrorist was identified as 31-year-old Hossam Dawiath, a father of two from the village of Tzur Baher. VIDEO - Jerusalem bus attack The Guardian 7/2/2008 Jerusalem bus attack Man hijacks bulldozer and overturns a bus on the city’s main road. [end] VIDEO - 5 injured as Ni’lin demonstration again halts work on the apartheid wall International Solidarity Movement 7/1/2008 Ramallah Region - Video - On the 1st July, the village of Ni’lin again forced construction on the apartheid wall to halt. Bulldozers and other machinery were also damaged. Around 200 Palestinians, Israelis and international activists surprised Israeli armed forces guarding the site. They were confronted by soldiers who fired live ammunition close to demonstrators. Despite this, many people took up rocks and threw them at the vehicles, breaking the windscreens and forcing them from the construction site. People returned to the village as soldiers fired tear gas and rubber bullets. Five people, including a nine year old child were injured by rubber bullets Afterwards, it was decided to march on another site at which the wall is being constructed. This time troops responded aggressively before the site could be reached, firing tear gas canisters directly at demonstrators and throwing sound bombs. VIDEO / Kiryat Gat tells its school girls: No romancing with Bedouin Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 7/2/2008 A new program launched in Kiryat Gat schools has the expressed purpose of preventing Jewish girls from becoming romantically involved with Israeli Bedouin. The program enjoys the support of the municipality and the police, and is headed by Kiryat Gat’s welfare representative, who goes to schools to warn girls of the "exploitative Arabs. "The program uses a video entitled "Sleeping with the Enemy," which features a local police officer and a woman from the Anti-Assimilation Department, a wing of the religious organization Yad L’ahim, which works to prevent Jewish girls from dating Muslim men. [end] VIDEO - News / U.S. official says concerned Israel will attack Iran by end of 2008 Haaretz Staff and Channel 10, Ha’aretz 7/2/2008 Haaretz. com/Channel 10 news roundup for July 1, 2008. A United States defense official expresses concerns Israel will attack Iran by the end of the year. Hamas asks Egypt to press Jerusalem to open Gaza Strip border crossings. Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani share an historic handshake in Athens. Related articles:State Dept. denies report Israel likely to attack Iran this year Olmert: Don’t interpret Israel’s restraint in Gaza as weaknessHistoric handshake: Barak meets Iraq’s president in Athens Also on Haaretz. com TV:Police anti-terror unit steps up drills to prepare for hostage scenario Kiryat Gat tells its school girls: No romancing with BedouinIDF targets Palestinian charities in bid to curb Hamas in W.
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