Category Archives: human rights

Meshaal: We are ready to coexist with Jews, but not ‘occupiers’ | Maan News Agency

Hamas continued to insist that any lasting ceasefire must be based on an Israeli lifting of the blockade on Gaza, with leader Khaled Meshaal warning that Palestinians cannot coexist with their neighbors while their land is occupied in an interview broadcast on Sunday.

On Saturday, Meshaal was interviewed by US broadcaster PBS in the Qatari capital Doha while in Gaza the party was under assault from Israeli forces in renewed fighting.

A full version of the interview will be broadcast late on Monday, but excerpts were revealed on Sunday on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”

Asked by veteran interviewer Charlie Rose whether he could foresee living beside Israelis in peace, Meshaal said only a future Palestinian state could decide whether to recognize Israel.

“We are not fanatics, we are not fundamentalists. We are not actually fighting the Jews because they are Jews per se. We do not fight any other races. We fight the occupiers,” he said.

“I’m ready to coexist with the Jews, with the Christians and the Arabs and non-Arabs,” he said. “However, I do not coexist with the occupiers.”

Pressed on whether Palestinians could recognize the state of Israel as a Jewish state, Meshaal reiterated Hamas’ position — the group does not recognize Israel.

“When we have a Palestinian state then the Palestinian state will decide on its policies. You cannot actually ask me about the future. I answered you,” he said.

“But Palestinian people can have their say when they have their own state without occupation.”

via Meshaal: We are ready to coexist with Jews, but not ‘occupiers’ | Maan News Agency.

And so goes the dance of words and few deeds other than hurling bombs and rockets at each other Mr. Meshaal speaks for his party and not for all Palestinians. Israel is pretending that everyone in Gaza – part of Palestine – is a Hamas member/supporter – not true. Everyone – quit dancing and start doing peace!

Gaza crisis: 815 Palestinians killed, no sign of ceasefire – The Times of India

UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack, which came hours after the agency had warned that Israel’s actions in the Gaza could constitute war crimes.

According to the UN, more than 118,000 people are now sheltering in UN schools and people are running out of food.

Palestinian toll now stands at 815 killed and more than 5,000 injured. Thirty two Israeli soldiers, two civilians and a Thai worker in Israel have also been killed in the conflict. One other soldier remains missing, but is presumed dead.

In a statement, Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu said he regretted each Palestinian civilian death, but said they were “the responsibility of Hamas”.

He keeps saying this as if it makes sense – It is fault of Hamas that Israel has killed 815 people – most of whom have nothing to do with Hamas?

via Gaza crisis: 815 Palestinians killed, no sign of ceasefire – The Times of India.

4 Palestinians killed in West Bank amid protests against Gaza assault | Maan News Agency

NABLUS (Ma’an) — Four Palestinians were killed in the West Bank on Friday, three by Israeli forces and one by an Israeli settler, amid widespread protests in solidarity with Gaza.

The four deaths on Friday come after a Palestinian was killed by Israeli forces late Thursday in clashes at Qalandia, bringing the total death toll in the West Bank to eight as thousands have marched in protest against the Israeli assault on Gaza over the last two weeks.

The victims were identified as Khaled Azmi Khaled Yousef, 18, Hashem Abu Maria, 47, Tayeb Abu Shehada, 22, and Sultan Al-Zaaqiq, 30.

Yousef was killed and three were injured on Friday when an Israeli settler opened fire at a protest march near Nablus, an official said.

In the village of Huwwara, Palestinians began marching in protest against Israel’s deadly offensive in Gaza when an Israeli settler drove by in a car and fired into the crowd, the mayor of the village said.

Khalid Mari Khalid Yousef, 18, died after being hit directly in the chest, a Ma’an reporter said, after Fatah spokesman Awwad Nijm said earlier that Yousef was critically injured.

Israeli forces who subsequently arrived on the scene got involved in the clashes, killing another Palestinian named Tayeb Abu Shehada, 22.

Nijm identified the other three injured as Tariq Issam, Muhammad Nasasrah, and Jihad Odeh.

Twenty Palestinians suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation, he added.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said that “approximately 200 Palestinians gathered in the area and a riot erupted” as they “were hurling rocks.”

Although she was familiar with the report of an Israeli settler opening fire, she said that the police and border police were responsible in the area. However, spokesmen for both the police and the border police denied any knowledge of the incidents.

In Beit Ummar, Palestinians clashed with Israeli soldiers in protest of Israel’s assault on Gaza.

Hashem Abu Maria, 47, was shot in the chest by Israeli forces and died soon after.

Sultan al-Zaaqiq, 30, was also slain by Israeli forces during the clashes.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said she was looking into the incident.

via 4 Palestinians killed in West Bank amid protests against Gaza assault | Maan News Agency.

Estonia to Aid Gaza With 75,000 Euros | News | ERR

Estonia has earmarked 75,000 to ease the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, with the money going to the area through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

“Access to water is a huge problem and there are also problems with sewage disposal, and medication is needed,” Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said.

via Estonia to Aid Gaza With 75,000 Euros | News | ERR.

Israeli Strike Kills a Leader of Islamic Jihad – NYTimes.com

Israeli forces killed a leader of Islamic Jihad’s military wing and two of his sons early Friday with an airstrike on their home in the southern Gaza Strip, as the Palestinian death toll topped 800 in the battle’s 18th day. A 36-year-old reservist also fell in combat in Gaza’s north, the military said, bringing the number of Israeli soldiers killed over the past week to 33.

A statement from Islamic Jihad, which has been fighting Israel alongside the Islamist Hamas movement, said that Salah Abu Hassanein, 45 — a spokesman for its militia, Al-Quds Brigades — and his sons, aged 15 and 12, were killed in the entrance to their home in the southern city of Rafah.

via Israeli Strike Kills a Leader of Islamic Jihad – NYTimes.com.

That is so precise – that someone had to know that the two sons were being killed at same time. Leader? The PR person is a fighter to be assassinated along with his sons?

Today I was spat on because I looked different. | Úna-Minh Kavanagh

And you’re a fucking chink!’

That’s how I was greeted today while hovering outside a hotel in Dublin City Centre while I waited for a friend. The group went by laughing, I exclaimed an exasperated ‘oh fuck off…’, one of the young boys then grabbed my face and shook it, I was spat on.

This was the first time I had received a physical racial assault – I was shook. I’m 21 and had become slightly desensitized to all the racial slurs I was thrown on a regular basis, but this was frightening. I felt humiliated taking the spit out of my hair and sadly no one came to my aid, or asked it I was ok, even on this bustling street.

I met with my friend and contemplated what had actually happened. The more I thought about it the more I got the courage to act. This was the time to do something, anything, to tackle the closemindedness of a nation who prided themselves on being ‘welcoming.’ There and then it truly was a lie.

I gathered my thoughts, posted my outrage online and then reported it to the Gardaí. The experience was horrible and terrifying but I am not a coward.

These kids were in their teens. What these boys did was unacceptable and foolish.

I shouldn’t need to hide or feel scared in my own country. Racism. Hate. How dare anyone think that this disgusting behaviour is ok?

Do I hate them? Absolutely not. I pity them and I pity their parents who have no idea of richness a multicultural society can bring. I feel sorry for them. Oh and by the way, I’m Irish.

via Today I was spat on because I looked different. | Úna-Minh Kavanagh.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Condemns Attack On School In Gaza – Look to the Stars

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he is “appalled” by the news of an attack on a United Nations-run school in Gaza where hundreds of people had taken refuge from the ongoing hostilities, adding that the incident underscores the need to stop all fighting immediately.

“Many have been killed – including women and children, as well as UN staff,” Mr. Ban said in statement issued in Erbil, Iraq, where he is currently on an official visit. “Circumstances are still unclear. I strongly condemn this act.”

Media reports say at least 15 people died in the attack on the school in Beit Hanoun, which was run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). More than 100,000 Gazans – 5 per cent of the total population – have sought refuge in UNRWA facilities since the conflict began over two weeks ago.

Mr. Ban expressed his profound condolences to the families of the victims and those of the many hundreds of innocent Gazans who have tragically been killed as a result of what he described as “the massive Israeli assault.”

The UN chief, who has been in the region this week to express solidarity with Israelis and Palestinians and to help them end the current cycle of violence, again stressed to all sides that they must abide by their international obligations to respect the sanctity of civilian life and the inviolability of UN premises, and to honour their obligations to humanitarian workers.

“Today’s attack underscores the imperative for the killing to stop – and to stop now,” Mr. Ban declared.

via Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Condemns Attack On School In Gaza – Look to the Stars.

empty shoes | Palestine Rose

Oh what will you wear for Eid,

My darling young one,

Oh what will you wear for Eid,

My darling young one?

I’ll wear my burial shroud

In my Grave.

I Miss You

Mother, please don’t be afraid

For me, my journey cut short

By Israeli Demons’ so Loud,—

Their rockets went past clouds

In the sky, a Space

Satellite Saw Gaza Ablaze.

I Miss You

Mother, please don’t be afraid

For me, my journey cut short

By Israeli Demons’ so Loud,—

I’m Praying for Gaza, my head bowed.

In Paradise, with Allah, who Hears

Every Prayer, He wiped away all of my Tears.

via empty shoes | Palestine Rose.

Interview with Former Israeli Security Chief Yuval Diskin – SPIEGEL ONLINE

In an interview with SPIEGEL, Yuval Diskin, former director of Israel’s internal security service Shin Bet, speaks of the current clash between Israel and the Palestinians, what must be done to achieve peace and the lack of leadership in the Middle East.

via Interview with Former Israeli Security Chief Yuval Diskin – SPIEGEL ONLINE.

Israeli fire hits UN school in Gaza, killing 15 | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR

Gaza health officials say the death toll from an Israeli strike on a compound housing a U.N. school in the northern Gaza Strip has risen to at least 15.

Gaza health official Ashraf al-Kidra says the 15 were among hundreds of people seeking shelter in the school in Beit Hanoun from heavy fighting in the area. At least 150 people were injured.

Thursday’s strike is the fourth time a U.N. facility has been hit in fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, which is ruled by the Islamic militant group Hamas. But it’s the first time casualties have been reported.

via Israeli fire hits UN school in Gaza, killing 15 | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR.