He was a franco-german photographer
Israel National News reports that “Israeli tanks and bulldozers crossed several hundred feet into Gaza Tuesday afternoon and killed one terrorist after a bomb exploded near an Israel patrol vehicle at the Gaza separation/security barrier.” I know that this isn’t true, because I know who they killed: Amjad Sami Za’aneen.
I know because I got a call from his relative Saber Za’aneen earlier today that there had been an incursion in Beit Hanoun, and because my friends went to the hospital to go interview his family members. They said he’d been collecting rocks with friends in the buffer zone when an Israeli tank unloaded a shell at them. It blew a hole in his abdomen so big he didn’t even make it to the hospital before he died. The murderers’ newspaper says: “it is widely known that the patrol area is a closed military zone.” That’s how they shrug off ripping a hole in a boy’s stomach and ripping a hole in his family’s world. They lie about it. Then they blame the victim. Then they call him a terrorist. Then they refuse to say his name. A friend asked me what we do here, because we cannot do direct action anymore. I told him, we make sure the dead have names.
Mazin Qumsiyeh
Here in Palestine, we face a relentless assault not only on us and our lands
but on truth, on decency, on nature, on dignity, and, dare I say, on God.
Israeli authorities are working overtime to transform the Holy City of
Jerusalem from a multi-ethnic and multi-religious city to a distorted vision
of what Zionists think Judaism is about (supremacy, ethnic purity, tribalism
etc).
They will be debating in the next few days a project for an additional
1400 “housing units” near Gilo colony. The land targeted belongs to the
village of Al-Walaja and the Town of Beit Jala. The Negev village of
Al-Araqib was also just demolished for the 9th time*. More home and business
demolitions were carried out in Jerusalem and the Jordan valley.
Taking
lands from Christians and Muslims, destroying over 2 million trees and
countless homes and businesses are not just war crimes but crimes against
humanity. We must continue to challenge these destructive policies and
demand the international community bring those responsible to justice.
Please write to media, politicians, and all others (the internet allows you
to get hundred of emails very quickly for decision makers).**
I think the empire’s hold on the Arab World has begun to unravel and I think
we see in Tunisia the first spark of a revolution that will reshape the Arab
world for the better and spell the end of repression. In 1948, the insertion
of Israel in the Middle of the Arab world was designed to dominate the area,
keep the people disjointed, disunited and ruled by (Western-appointed)
dictators. In 1953, the US and Britain engineered the coup that removed the
democratically elected government of Mousaddeq and placed the brutal Shah in
power in Iran.
These moves worked for many years because people in the Arab
world let them happen and offered limited resistance. Things have been
changing. In retrospect, the year 1973 was pivotal as for the first time
two Arab countries decided to fight to take back their stolen lands.
Unfortunately, the US chose to save its monstrous creation from having to
return all the stolen lands (and Sadat was willing to walk a separate line).
Then came the nonviolent people’s revolution in Iran which got rid of the
Shah in 1979.
Since then Israel and its benefactor has attempted in vain to
crush any Arab resistance by might. Fom their invasion and occupation of
Lebanon to invasion and occupation of Iraq, these evil forces attempted to
keep the lid on Arab democracy and keep their hegemony. Arab dictators were
useful tools in implementing these destructive policies. But many of us
have long argued that these shenanigans will and must come to an end.
As people around the world evolved beyond dictatorship and racism, we in the
Arab world will too. After all, why should people in Latin America (some
that used to be called banana republics) be able to say NO to the
neo-liberal and neo-colonial systems while we in the Arab world could not?
Why should Iran and Turkey be able to say NO to violations of International
law and NO to hegemony while we in the rich Arab world stay silent? The
directions may be coming from Tunisia. I have visited Tunisia twice and
have many colleagues and friends that hail from Tunisia’s beautiful towns
and villages. My single largest scientific collaborator is a Tunisian
scientist living in Paris.
I have commented on the similarity that
Palestine and Tunisia has in geography, topography, climate, and village
life. Tunisians used popular resistance methods I discussed in my recent
book on Palestine to get rid of a corrupt leader who had hung on to power
for over 23 years.
But there are other Arab leaders who have been in power
even longer. It is time for real change, a change not to replace one face
with another but to begin to form truly democratic institutions throughout
the Arab world. Our demands include democracy, transparency (including
totally free and critical press), plurality, and justice.
We have enough natural and human resources to build new vibrant societies.
All we have to
do is muster the will to free our minds. Those of us who have done so and
shed their inhibitions should also begin to discuss and ORGANIZE for the day
after (after Zionism and after imperialism). We have to begin to examine
how we may repair the damage caused by the corrupt systems and build a
better future.
*
http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9407&Itemid=
56
Saad Hariri Talking to Saddiq, a False witness; Why Tunisia Is Unlikely in Syria
Posted: 15 Jan 2011 04:28 PM PST
Al-Jadid TV [New TV] in Lebanon just aired this taped recording of a meeting that took place between Saad al-Hariri, Information Branch chief Colonel Wissam al-Hassan, STL deputy chief investigator Gerhard Lehmann, and Muhammad Zuhair al-Siddiq, one of the false witnesses whose testimony was used by Mehlis to accuse Syria for plotting the murder of Rafiq al-Hariri. It records the four men laying out a plan for how to convince the international community of Syria’s culpability. They all believe Syria to be the instigator of the killing. They agree that they must present the world with an air-tight case and lots of proof. Saddiq explains to Hariri that he tried to warn him of May Shidiyyaq’s attempted assassination tow days ahead of time, but claims Hariri refused to answer it. Hariri asks Saddiq why he didn’t text him. Hariri calls Saddiq a “diarrhea mouth” to Mehlis’s lieutenant, but goes on to explain that he should be believed and is trustworthy. This is damaging to the Tribunal and Hariri because it shows how tainted Mehlis’ reports were and how eager the European investigators were to take at face value trumped up evidence. For Hariri, it is damaging because he swore that he had not met with Saddiq or any of the false witnesses. See Qifa Nabki for an explanation of why this doesn’t really damaging for Hariri. See Gary Gambill for a great review of the Mehlis evidence and the false witnesses.
Arabs of the world, we are along the same line as Ibn Rushd-Averroes,
the Emir Abd el Kader, Ibn Arabi, Ibn Sina-Avicenna, personalities
whose contribution to the world is undisputable. If we are Arabs, it
is neither by blood nor by ethnicity, but by the culture and
civilization, by the universal dimension that is held by this part of
humanity.
We are attached to the universal ideals and we are working
relentlessly for their promotion. Thus, we are involved in all the
fights for the realization of democratic aspirations of people, and
the preservation of human rights.
Arabs of the world; citizens of Europe, America or Africa, we are
taking part in life, the progress and the blooming of the societies we
live in.
We are standing out for our mosques and our churches, for our
rationalist trends, our ancient cultures and for the original
languages that constitute today’s Arab world.
This civilization has been a leading one for Humanity. It can still
contribute further to its development and progress.
We can not imagine the world of tomorrow cut from its Arab dimension.
We can not imagine that tomorrow, the Arab countries could be nothing
more than an issue at stake between dominating powers.
Iraq is dismembered. Palestine is dying. Lebanon is regularly
assaulted by its Israeli neighbours. Great Arab countries are reduced
to act as supporting roles, unable to define their own strategy and to
conduct it in the interest of their people.
We are in favour of peace all over the world. We are making the wish
that is for the young people of the world to free themselves from war,
meet, know and speak to each other. In short, we are making the wish
that they fulfill the society we dream of.
To make this dream possible, injustice has to end. It is necessary to
bring back to reason those who think that they are entitled to own all
the resources of this land and who treat those who live in it as
inappropriate occupants that need to be chased away and even killed.
This is not a fatality. The Arab world is not cut out to be the
permanent battlefield of powers aiming to appropriate its resources.
We are rising up against this disgraceful situation and we are calling
upon good-willing men and women, aiming to ensure a future of peace
and stability, to join us in the firm support in favor of the Arab
resistance in Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq…
We are expressing our strong support, by visiting these countries so
we can salute the women and men who are on the field of struggles.
Arabs of the world for a world of justice, we think this fight is a
fight for everyone. The fair and quick settlement of the current
issues is serving the entire community, a preventative mine clearance,
the guarantee of a pacified world for our future.
samedi 15 janvier 2011, par Parti communiste d’Israėl
Twenty thousands of activists, Jews and Arabs, from left-wing movements,
parties and human rights organizations march in Tel Aviv on Saturday
(January 15, 2001) in protest of the Knesset’s decision to set up a
committee of inquiry to probe the funding sources of human rights movements.
The protest march, under the headline “Demonstration (since it’s still
possible) for democracy”, left from Tel Aviv’s Meir Park, in front of the
Likud headquarters, toward the plaza in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art,
where a rally take place in which Knesset members from Hadash, Kadima and
Meretz as well as officials from Peace Now and human rights groups deliver
speeches.
Protesters chanted in support of democracy and free speech and against
racism and fascism, and carried hundreds of red flags and signs with slogans
such as “Jews and Arabs together against Fascism”, “Awaiting Democracy”,
“Danger – End of Democracy Ahead !”, “Fighting the Rightist Government of
Darkness” and “Democracy is Screaming for Help”. Among the MKs taking part
in the event were Dov Khenin (Hadash), Afo Agbarie (Hadash), Meir Sheetrit
(Kadima), Hanna Swaid (Hadash), Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz) and Mohammad
Barakeh (the Chairman of Hadash, the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality
– Communist Party of Israel).
MK Horowitz inveighed against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense
Minister Ehud Barak, whom he said were “supporting Lieberman’s incitement
and encouraging racist legislation in the Knesset”. “Tonight we are telling
the Labor Party that it is a full partner of the most racist government in
state history, and that they must leave it immediately,” he said. Peace Now
Secretary-General Yariv Oppenheimer said at the rally that Israel was
suffering not only from the Iranian threat but also from the “Liebermanian
threat”.
Hadash Chairman Barakeh said, “We are at a dangerous crossroads where
democracy is concerned. Democracy is collapsing, not because of Lieberman
but because of the support he is receiving from the prime minister. Jews and
Arabs who care about democracy cannot fail at this time. Anyone who wishes
to know the power of the people can look to Tunisia”. In the same vein he
added, “The victory of the people in Tunis over cruel dictatorship teaches
us that oppression is not the fate of mankind and the people can win.”
MK Sheetrit denounced Foreign Minster Avigdor Lieberman’s proposal to probe
the funding sources of human rights organizations. “If such legislation is
passed, it will be like taking a brick out of the wall of democracy. I am
surprised that Likud members support this. It’s simply shameful that they
can sit in a government that makes such a proposal,” he said.
MK Khenin said during the protest that “the thousands of people who are here
understand that our democracy needs protection against its destroyers. We
are voicing a clear voice in support of human rights and democracy, and
against racism, fascism, McCarthyism and future destruction of the
democratic values. We will continue to fight for democratic rights, freedom
of speech, equal rights for Jews and Arabs and the end of the occupation.”
List of participating organizations in the Emergency rally
Hadash (the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality) // Communist Party of
Israel // ACRI (Association For Civil Rights in Israel // Meretz // New
Israel Fund // Peace Now // The Kibbutz Movement // The Progressive Movement
// The Green Movement // Physicians for Human Rights // The Geneva
Initiative // Ha’Shomer Ha’tzair // Yisrael Hofshit (Free Israel) //
Coalition of Women for Peace // Public Committee Against Torture // Yesh
Gvul // Shutafut/Sharakah – Organizations for a Shared, Democratic and
Egalitarian Society : Agenda, The Abraham Fund, Negev Institute – NISPED,
Sikkuy, Kav Mashve, Keshev, Shatil // Gush Shalom // Yesh Din // Almuntada
Altakadumi – The Progressive Circle in Ar’ara // Negev Coexistence Forum //
Peace NGO’s Forum // Amnesty International Israel // Banki-Shabiba – Young
Communist League // Hagada Hasmalit Alternative Cultural Center in Tel-Aviv
// Tandi – Democratic Women’s Movement // Parents Circle – Families Forum //
Social Workers for Peace and Social Welfare // Arab Movement for Renewal //
Mossawa Centre – the Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens in Israel // Adalah –
the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel // Yesh Din – Volunteers
for Human Rights // Machsom Watch // Tarabut-Hithabrut // Rabbis for Human
Rights // Ir Amim // Maan – Workers’ Advice Center // Daam – Workers Party
// Syndianna Galilee for Fair Trade // Israeli Children // Campus Le’Kulanu
– Left Students Movement, the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and Haifa
University // ASSAF – Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in
Israel // ICAHD – The Israeli Committee against House Demolitions // Social
TV // Socialist Struggle // Labor Party Young Guard // HAMOKED – Center for
the Defense of the Individual // BINA – Center for Jewish Identity, Hebrew
Culture and Social Justice // AIC – Alternative Information Center // Our
Heritage – The Charter for Democracy //
source : by e-mail
Beginning this afternoon, shortly after (former) president Ben Ali fled Tunisia, I started getting calls about the effect of social media on the Tunisian uprising. I answered a few questions, mostly deferring reporters to friends in Tunisia for their side of the story, and then settled in for the night…only to find rantings and ravings about Tunisia’s “Twitter revolution” and “WikiLeaks revolution” blowing up the airwaves.
Like Alaa Abd El Fattah, I think it’s too soon to tell what the true impact of social media was on the events of the past few weeks. I also think it’s a bit irresponsible of Western analysts to start pontificating on the relevance of social media to the Tunisian uprising without talking to Tunisians (there are notable exceptions; Ethan Zuckerman’s piece for Foreign Policy is spot on, Matthew Ingram does a nice job of opening the debate here, and Evgeny Morozov’s analysis–which starts with this great piece–is ongoing).
But for each thoughtful, skeptical piece, there is yet another claiming the unknowable. In this piece, for example, Elizabeth Dickinson of Foreign Policy writes:
Of course, Tunisians didn’t need anyone to tell them [about the excesses of the first family]. But the details noted in the cables — for example, the fact that the first lady may have made massive profits off a private school — stirred things up.
By all Tunisian accounts, WikiLeaks had little–if anything–to do with the protests; rather, the protests were spurred by unemployment and economic woes. Furthermore, Tunisians have been documenting abuses by the Ben Ali regime and the first family for years, as Zuckerman notes. In fact, Dickinson seems to realize this herself, and yet for some reason still attempts to argue that WikiLeaks was a catalyst in the unrest.
Andrew Sullivan, who praised Dickinson’s piece, seems to have decided for himself that social media was used as a tool for organizing:
The core test is whether Twitter and online activism helped organize protests. It appears they did, even through government censorship. Wikileaks also clearly helped. So did al Jazeera, for those who see it entirely as an Islamist front.
I’m not sure by what means such an idea appeared to Sullivan, but I haven’t heard it said yet–not once–by a Tunisian. Until I do, I’ll remain skeptical (though Sullivan’s praise of Al Jazeera is welcome).
Now, I’m not about to discount social media’s relationship to the Tunisian uprising. For one, it most certainly played a huge role in getting videos, photos, and news out to the world–and not just to a public audience, but to news organizations as well. Al Jazeera–which had some of the best coverage of Tunisia over the past few weeks–relied heavily on sources gleaned from social networks for much of its print work, as did other organizations. Tunisian blogs and news sources–such as Nawaat and SBZ News–filled in the gaps left by the mainstream media’s shoddy reporting of the events. And speaking from personal experience, I was able to connect a lot of Tunisians–some of whom I’ve never met in real life–with journalists because of our connections on Facebook and Twitter.
But to call this a “Twitter revolution” or even a “WikiLeaks revolution” demonstrates that we haven’t learned anything from past experiences in Moldova and Iran. Evgeny Morozov’s question–”Would this revolution have happened if there were no Facebook and Twitter?”–says it all. And in this case, yes, I–like most Tunisians to whom I’ve posed this question–believe that this would have happened without the Internet.
The real question, then, is would the rest of us have heard about it without the Internet? Would the State Department have gotten involved early on (remember, their first public comment was in respect to Tunisian Net freedom)? Would Al Jazeera–without offices on the ground–have been able to report on the unfolding story as they did? Most importantly, would any of that have mattered?
Social media may have had some tangential effect on organization within Tunisia; I think it’s too soon to say. No doubt, SMS and e-mail (not to be mistaken with social media) helped Tunisians keep in touch during, before, and after protests, but no one’s hyping those–e-mails and texts simply aren’t as fascinating to the public as tweets. In fact, assuming SMS and e-mail did play a role in organizing (and again, I don’t doubt they did — Tunisian’s Internet penetration rate may be only 33%, but its mobile penetration rate is closer to 85%), then we ought to be asking what it is about social media that is unappealing for organization? Could it be the sheer publicness of it, the inherent risks of posting one’s location for the world to see? Given the mass phishing of Facebook accounts, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Facebook were seen as risky (Gmail accounts were also hacked, however, which undoubtedly led some to view digital communications in general as risky).
I am incredibly thrilled for and proud of my Tunisian friends. This is an incredible victory and one unlikely to fade from popular memory anytime soon. And I am glad that Tunisians were able to utilize social media to bring attention to their plight. But I will not dishonor the memory of Mohamed Bouazizi–or the 65 others that died on the streets for their cause–by dubbing this anything but a human revolution.
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