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Today in Palestine! ~ Headlines February 26, 2011 ~
Shadi Fadda--February 26, 2011--www.TheHeadlines.org--Land, property, resources theft and destruction / Ethnic cleansing / Settlers

Mayor: Settlers damage field near Ramallah
RAMALLAH (Ma‘an) 26 Feb -- Settlers attacked a village northeast of Ramallah on Friday and ruined wheat fields, officials said. Al-Magheer village mayor Faraj An-Na’as said Adei Ad settlers used a tractor to spray the wheat with chemicals. He said farmers cannot reach their land except except during certain times of the year after getting permission from Israel.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=363380

PA official: Extremists torch Palestinian car
NABLUS (Ma‘an) 26 Feb -- Extremist settlers attacked a village in the occupied West Bank and torched a Palestinian car, an official said Saturday. Ghassan Daghlas, an official who monitors Israel`s northern settlements, told Ma’an that settlers from an illegal outpost attacked the home of Bashir Az-Zein in Burin. They poured fuel on the car and set it ablaze, then they started to set fire to the house from outside before the family stopped them, the official said. Israeli forces arrived and sent the settlers away, he added.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=363456

Support your own illegal Israeli settlement [satire] / Mantiq al-Tayr
26 Feb ...Once every couple of weeks or so we will choose a nice Israeli settlement built on Palestinian land and we`ll give you some links about it so you can learn about what a great place it is. We will also provide you a link so that you can make US tax-free donations in order to keep the illegal settlement going – something you really should go to jail for, but here in the US this sort of theft and support of insane Israelis is encouraged and the taxpayers as usual get to foot the bill. What a deal. Our inaugural voyage into the realm of illegal Israeli settlements is the lovely (and did I mention illegal?) town of Ariel, which lies not far from Nablus and which the Jewish Virtual Liebrary has the chutzpahpahpah to call `the capital of Samaria.`
http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2011/02/26/support-your-own-illegal-israeli-settlement-satire/

Violence

Airstrikes injure 2 in southern Gaza
GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) -- Israeli F16 fighter jets launched two fresh airstrikes on targets in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday afternoon leaving at least two Palestinians injured. The first hit an open space between Rafah and Khan Younis, a Ma`an correspondent said ... Two more airstrikes came minutes after the first targeted two security sites belonging to the Hamas-run government in Rafah, which is near the Egyptian border. A family of four, including an 18-month-old girl, were lightly wounded, after their vehicle was hit by shrapnel as they were driving by one of the targets, Abu Selmiya told AFP. A third air strike hit an Islamic Jihad facility west of Khan Younis, witnesses said. The raids came after pre-dawn strikes against two other training camps of the hardline Islamic Jihad group.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=363562

Reprisals

Qassam lands in Negev; no injuries
Ynet 25 Feb -- A Qassam rocket fired from northern Gaza late Friday landed in an open area within the limits of the Sdot Negev Regional Council. There were no reports of injury or damage.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4034164,00.html

Siege

Israel set to close Gaza crossing completely
BETHLEHEM (Ma‘an) 26 Feb -- Israeli officials plan to completely shut down Gaza`s bulk goods Karni crossing in two weeks for `security reasons,` the official Israeli news agency reported Friday ... Large chutes for wheat, animal feed and gravel will be moved to the southernmost Kerem Shalom terminal.
The coordinator of Israeli government activities in the Gaza Strip Eitan Dangot told Assleborn that Israel okayed construction of 20 schools in Gaza in 2010 in addition to 120 projects funded by international donors. He added, `Israel allows entry of construction material into Gaza after making sure the structures set to be built are not close to structures belonging to Hamas.`
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=363439

Luxembourg FM visits Gaza, urges peace
GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) 26 Feb ... During a briefing at the UNRWA office in Gaza City, after a short visit to Gaza`s fishing port, Assleborn told reporters, `In a few hours, I will leave to Tel Aviv, and my message to Israel is very clear. If you care for your children please care for and love the children in Gaza and give them a possibility to live under better and normal conditions.` He asserted that the Gaza Strip should be rebuilt and highlighted that 11 percent of the projects proposed by UNRWA have been approved by Israel.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=363425

Activism / Solidarity / Counter-Activism

Clashes as hundreds protest settlement in Hebron
HEBRON (Ma‘an) 6 Feb -- Israeli forces fired rubber-coated bullets at protesters in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday afternoon, where clashes left at least nine people injured, Palestinian medics and the Israeli army said ... The demonstration, which called for the reopening of one of the city`s main streets, came on the anniversary of the 1994 massacre of 29 Palestinians in Hebron by a Jewish extremist. Protesters, who waved Palestinian flags chanting `Down with the occupation!` and `Hebron is Palestinian,` said they were trying to reopen central Shuhada (Martyrs) Street, once home to the city`s main market. Israel largely closed off the street, citing security, after the 1994 massacre in the Ibrahimi Mosque.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=363324

Jewish settlers organize provocative march in Al-Khalil
AL-KHALIL, (PIC) 26 Feb -- Hundreds of armed Jewish settlers organized a provocative march in the Old City of Al-Khalil [Hebron] under heavy protection provided by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at a late night hour on Friday. Local sources said that the settlers` planned march started from the vicinity of the Ibrahimi Mosque and roamed the streets of the Old City until they reached the settlement outpost Daboya in the town`s center.The sources said that the settlers hoisted Israeli flags and chanted racist slogans against the Palestinian citizens and Arabs such as `Death to the Arabs`, `Hebron is ours.`
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bc

Three Palestinians wounded, 1 Israeli arrested in anti-wall demos in Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Saleh
IMEMC 26 Feb -- In the central West Bank villages of Bil‘in, Ni‘lin and Nabi Saleh, non-violent protests were held Friday afternoon to challenge the Israeli Wall construction and support the Libyan people in their uprising against Moammar Gaddafi.
http://www.imemc.org/article/60719

Settlers disrupt Beit Ummar rally
HEBRON (Ma‘an) 26 Feb -- Settlers disrupted an anti-wall demonstration Saturday in Beit Ummar near Hebron, protest organizers said. Local popular committee spokesman Mohammad Awad said the rally ended peacefully despite attempts by settlers to intimidate protesters with an aggressive dog.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=363618

Israeli terror victims organization working to stop Bil‘in demonstrations
AIC 24 Feb -- `Almagor: Organisation of Terror Victims` is working to halt the weekly anti-Wall and settlement demonstrations in the West Bank village of Bil‘in. In an interview with the right-wing Israeli news agency Arutz 7, Almagor Director Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Meir Indor noted that the organization is acting to obtain legal orders, based on the “tens of thousands of shekels” damage caused to the Separation Wall and through use of military time every week. Indor further noted that Almagor was establishing a “follow-up committee” of bereaved parents and military officers to check the “money trail” of the Bil‘in demonstrations.
http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/
israeli-society/3343-israeli-terror-victims-organisation-working-to-stop-bilin-demonstrations-

Activists change street names in Tel Aviv to those in Hebron / Joseph Dana
Last Thursday evening, Israeli activists with the Anarchists Against the Wall changed the wording of a number of street signs in the heart of Tel Aviv to mark the closing of Hebron’s Shuhada Street. The action was done in connection with the international day of action to Open Shuhada Street. At 03h30 in the morning, activists changed street names on Tel Aviv’s popular Sheinken Street to read, “Shuhaha Street: Closed to Palestinians since 1994.” The activists were immediately arrested by police, who the activists believe, had been following them throughout the night
http://josephdana.com/2011/02/activists-change-street-names-in-tel-aviv-to-those-in-hebron

Israel threatens force against Fatah leader`s guards
RAMALLAH (Ma‘an) – Israel has warned the Palestinian Authority that its soldiers would target a top member of Fatah and his guards should he be allowed to join rallies against the separation wall, a Palestinian official said. The liaison office, according to the source, explained that it had obtained information that Central Committee member Tawfiq Tirawi`s guards participate in rallies near the separation wall with guns hidden under their clothes. Soldiers will open fire at Tirawi`s guards if they see them at demonstrations, the liaison office was said to have warned.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=363542

Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions

Boycott roundup: Palestinians protest Canada`s ties with JNF
EI 25 Feb ...This week, a campaign was expanded in Europe against grocery items made in Israeli settlements; the Israel Philharmonic`s tour in the US is dogged by protests; and Palestinian queer activists are imploring international queer artists and academics to take a stand in solidarity. [other news from France, Chicago, Philadelphia]
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11831.shtml

#BDS: Protesters picket Portland event launching an Oregon-Israel business alliance
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2011/02/bds-protesters-picket-portland-event.html

#BDS: Israel organizes speaking tour in the US to counteract Apartheid Week
...As Israeli Apartheid Week nears, the government on Monday unveiled its latest initiative aimed at debunking the `analogy` made by Palestinian supporters between the Jewish state and minority rule in South Africa.
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2011/02/bds-israel-organizes-speaking-tour-in.html

#BDS: BDS Day of Action - March 30, 2011
The BDS National Committee (BNC) is calling on you to unite in your different capacities and struggles to join the Global BDS Day of Action on Land Day, 30 March 2011, in solidarity with the Palestinian people’s right to self determination on their ancestral land.
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2011/02/bds-day-of-action-march-30-2011.html

#BDS: Action Alert - NY LGBT Center cancels Israeli Apartheid Week event
`The New York LGBT Center caved to pressure mounted by `genocide pornographer` Michael Lucas to cancel an event by Israel Apartheid Week organizers originally scheduled for March 5th. Lucas vowed to target the center’s donors to force them to cancel. This tactic, unfortunately, worked.
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2011/02/bds-action-alert-ny-lgbt-center-cancels.html

#BDS: An open letter to Queer academics, artists, and activists
`Some of you might be planning a visit to Israel to participate, and maybe even support, queer, cultural or academic events. Some of you might be visiting for religious or personal reasons, or perhaps simply out of curiosity. While an invitation to Israel might seem flattering and exciting, we hope that – before taking a stand and booking that flight – you read the following open letter...`
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2011/02/bds-open-letter-to-queer-academics.html

#BDS: Famous Greek composer asks his government to arrest Netanyahu
`ATHENS, (PIC)-- Greek composer and orchestra conductor Mikis Theodorakis has asked his government to arrest Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu and put him on trial for his crimes in Gaza and Lebanon.
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2011/02/bds-famous-greek-composer-asks-his.html

#BDS: What if we all cared enough to free Palestine?
Video - graphic footage
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2011/02/bds-what-if-we-all-cared-enough-to-free.html

#BDS: Why Faithless are giving Israel a miss
26 Feb -- `In December 2010 British electronic group Faithless’s lead singer Maxi Jazz wrote a note on his website to “family and friends of the band in Israel”. He said: “We’ve been asked to do some shows this summer in your country and, with the heaviest of hearts, I have regretfully declined the invitation. While human beings are being willfully denied not just their rights but their needs for their children and grandparents and themselves, I feel deeply that I should not be sending even tacit signals that this is either ‘normal’ or ‘ok’.”
http://youthanormalization.blogspot.com/2011/02/bds-why-faithless-are-giving-israel.html

European Policy Centre: Don`t host Israeli deputy foreign minister!
AIC -- The European Policy Centre is inviting Danny Ayalon, a leader of the extremist Israeli party, Yisrael Beitenu, for a breakfast briefing on Tuesday, 1 March 2011 at 8:00 am, to be held at the Silken Berlaymont * Hotel in Brussels ... Yisrael Beitenu was founded by the Soviet-born Avigdor Liberman. It openly calls for the ethnic cleansing initially of the 1.5 million indigenous Palestinian citizens of what is today Israel ... NFORM urges all concerned groups to call upon the European Policy Centre to withdraw its invitation and ask Silken Berlaymont Hotel not to host such an event.
http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/news/3339-
european-policy-centre-dont-host-israeli-deputy-foreign-minister

Stop the Jewish National Fund
To join the campaign and endorse this statement, contact: stopjnf [at] bdsmovement.net. Organizations who have joined the campaign are listed below -- The Jewish National Fund (JNF)[1] was instrumental in the ethnic cleansing[2] of Palestine in the 1948 Nakba, and continues to play a central role in maintaining Israel`s regime of apartheid
http://stopthejnf.bdsmovement.net/

What Umberto Eco does not understand about the cultural boycott / Joseph Dana
24 Feb -- Today, the Italian writing legend Umberto Eco caused more BDS controversy with statements denouncing the cultural boycott call as a ‘form of racism.’ Eco told reporters today at the Jerusalem Book Festival that, “I consider it absolutely crazy and fundamentally racist to identify a scholar, a private citizen, with the politics of his government.” Eco’s strong comments reflect the depth of ignorance that is populating the BDS debate.
http://972mag.com/what-umberto-eco-does-not-understand-about-the-cultural-boycott/

Libya and Palestinians

Family: Palestinian student killed in Libya
GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) -- Foreign mercenaries in Libya killed a young Palestinian man on Friday, his relatives in Libya and Gaza said. Hassan Hatem Abu Mustafa, 20, from Khan Younis, was a second-year engineering student at Libya`s Misurata University ... Abu Mustafa was searching for his uncle Omar, who has been missing for four days. His sister, who did not give her name, said incitement against Palestinians was on the rise in Libya.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=363382

Arab MKs comment on 2010 Libya visit
Ynet 25 Feb -- Delegation of Arab Israeli MKs, public figures who met with Gaddafi in controversial Libya visit last year, now vow not to endorse any other `war criminal`. One participant says noticed warning signs when dictator`s men prevented delegation from coming in contact with Libyan public
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4034017,00.html

Racism / Discrimination / Suppression of dissent

Institutionalized Arab inequality in Israel / Stephen Lendman
26 Feb -- Israeli Arabs, indigenous people living in their historic homeland, compris[e] 20% of the population or about 1.2 million people, excluding East Jerusalem and Golan. Under international law, they`re considered a national, ethnic, linguistic and religious minority, but not under Israel`s Basic Laws. As a result, they face `compound discrimination` as non-Jews, as well as for belonging to one or more sub-groups. For example, women, Bedouins, the disabled or elderly. Institutionalized inequality excludes them from state resources, services and positions of power, including:
http://www.uruknet.info/?new=75369

Defending civil society in Israel and abroad / Ishai Menuchin
EI 25 Feb -- If it has not become clear by now then we should make no mistake: Israeli civil society organizations (CSOs) working in the fields of human rights, peace and solidarity are in an increasingly hostile and precarious position in the Israeli public sphere. Similarly, our partner organizations working on issues of Israel and the Palestinians in the Netherlands report an increasingly hostile environment.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11829.shtml

Political news

Hamas may join unity gov`t - but not Fayyad`s
GAZA CITY (Ma‘an) 25 Feb -- ...Yousif Rezqa, an advisor to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza, told Ma‘an that Hamas was no opposed to joining a government but has reservations about who would lead it as well as its national agenda. Palestinian factions would not accept Fayyad as the head of government because he is not affiliated to a major party, Rezqa said. He suggested implementing the Mecca Agreement, a Saudi-backed 2007 deal, never implemented, between Fatah and Hamas to end deadly clashes in the West Bank and Gaza.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=363352

New European plan to hit Hamas and strengthen Fatah`s militia
ABNA 26 Feb -- A French site which specialises in security affairs said that there are discussions taking place between different European security parties to start a new European security plan which aims to strengthen the Fatah authority security in Ramallah and support it to strengthen its security grip on the West Bank and to restore its authority in the Gaza Strip to strike at the Hamas security and military capability.
http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=228278

Other news

Israeli driver caught with Palestinian man in trunk
Ynet 26 Feb -- Afula resident claims he doesn`t know how Palestinian man entered his vehicle, while illegal passenger says paid driver NIS 200 for ride into Israel
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4034261,00.html

J Street goes it alone with Israel program for American youth
25 Feb -- Taglit-Birthright, who bring Diaspora Jews who have never been to Israel on an organized trip on free 10-day trips, refused to allow a trip organized by J Street.
http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/anglo-file/
j-street-goes-it-alone-with-israel-program-for-american-youth-1.345575

Other Mideast / Arab world (excluding Libya)

Thousands join `Day of Rage` across the Middle East / Harriet Sherwood
Guardian 25 Feb 20:56 -- Protests erupted in cities across the Middle East and North Africa. At least six people were reported killed and dozens injured in Iraq; thousands took to the streets in the Yemeni capital, Sana‘a; and Egyptians gathered in Cairo`s Tahrir Square to demand an accelerated reform programme.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/25/thousands-join-day-of-rage-across-middle-east

Egypt army forcefully disperses Cairo protest
26 Feb -- Thousands gathered in Tahrir Square to celebrate two weeks since Mubarak`s removal; this was the first time the army used force, such as tasers, against the protesters.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/
egypt-army-forcefully-disperses-mass-cairo-protest-1.345804

Major Yemen tribes join protesters
AJ 26 Feb -- Pressure on Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen`s president, to resign has increased after the leaders of two of the country`s most important tribes abandoned the president and joined the anti-government movement. Tribal leaders, including those of the Hashid and Baqil, pledged on Saturday to join protests against Saleh at a gathering north of Sana‘a, the capital.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011226121359764591.html

Bahrain Shi‘a leader home from exile
AJ 26 Feb -- Hassan Mushaimaa, a Bahraini Shi‘a opposition leader who was being tried in absentia in an alleged coup plot, has arrived home from exile after receiving a royal pardon.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/201122613114171760.html

Tunisia sets poll date amid turmoil
AJ 26 Feb -- Tunisia`s transitional government has said it will hold elections by mid-July at the latest, the official TAP news agency has said, quoting a cabinet statement ... The announcement came as tens of thousands of protesters rallied on Friday to demand the resignation of Mohamed Ghannouchi
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/2011225181731209442.html

Video: Deadly protests rock Iraq
AJ 26 Feb -- Al Jazeera has obtained pictures which appear to show police shooting at protesters in the Iraqi city of Falluja, during Friday`s deadly nationwide `day of rage`. An unprecedented lockdown of Iraq`s capital failed to deter thousands of Iraqis from protesting, serving notice that the anti-government rage sweeping the Middle East will not be easily extinguished in Baghdad.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/02/20112266209569837.html

Blast prompts Iraq refinery shutdown
AJ 26 Feb -- At least one employee dead after attack sets alight facility that produces 11 million litres of petroleum a day.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/201122654436778763.html

Iran nuclear plant suffers setback
AJ 26 Feb -- Iran has said it will remove fuel rods from its Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant, a move that is being seen as a major setback to the country`s nuclear programme.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011226135213774297.html

Iran rejects IAEA report alleging it is developing nuclear weapons
26 Feb -- Iran rejected charges by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it was working on a nuclear missile, Iran`s official news agency IRNA reported Saturday.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/
iran-rejects-iaea-report-alleging-it-is-developing-nuclear-weapons-1.345814

Iran, Syria navies to cooperate on training
Reuters 26 Feb -- Tehran, Damascus sign cooperation agreement on naval training, exchange of military personnel. Iran strengthening geopolitical status but has no desire for war, says Islamic Republic`s ambassador to Syria
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4034289,00.html

U.S.

What shari‘a law actually means / Justin Elliottt
Salon 26 Feb -- The right wants to ban it in America, but do they even know what it is? ... But even basic facts about shari‘a -- what is it? how is it used in American courts? -- are hard to come by. So I decided to talk to Abed Awad, a New Jersey-based attorney and an expert on shari‘a who regularly handles cases that involve Islamic law. He is also a member of the adjunct faculties at Rutgers Law School and Pace Law School. He recently answered my questions via e-mail.... Can you give a couple examples of when shari‘a has come up in cases that you`ve handled?

 In the past 12 years as an attorney, I have handled many cases with an Islamic law component. U.S. courts are required to regularly interpret and apply foreign law -- including Islamic law....
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/02/26/sharia_the_real_story/index.html


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