Mel Frykberg

Mel Frykberg writes for Inter Press Service.

Israelis Targeting Grassroots Activists

EAST JERUSALEM – Israeli authorities are increasingly targeting and intimidating nonviolent Palestinian grassroots activists involved in anti-occupation activities who are drawing increased support from the international community. Several weeks ago masked Israeli soldiers stormed the home of Ehab Jallad from the Jerusalem Popular Committee for the Celebration of Jerusalem as the Capital of Arab Culture … Continue reading “Israelis Targeting Grassroots Activists”

At Olive Harvest, Rabbis Take on Settlers

AWARTA, West Bank — Away from the media spotlight that focuses on the widening chasm between Israelis and Palestinians, a group of Israeli humanists is quietly working to break down barriers with their Palestinian neighbors. Rabbi Arik Ascherman, director of Israel’s Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR), has been used as a human shield, arrested, and … Continue reading “At Olive Harvest, Rabbis Take on Settlers”

Turkey-Israel Rift Good for Palestine

RAMALLAH – Turkey’s cooling relationship with Israel comes in tandem with its improving relations with the Arab and Muslim world, and this development is expected to impact positively on Palestinian politics. "The Turks appear to be implementing a major policy shift in the region as they look towards the East as a possible alternative to … Continue reading “Turkey-Israel Rift Good for Palestine”

Rift Developing Between PA and Fatah

RAMALLAH – An increasingly isolated and unpopular Palestinian Authority (PA) has again made a 180-degree turn in the Goldstone report fiasco as it tries to fend off mounting criticism from all and sundry, including its own organization. On Sunday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas did a complete about-face over UN-appointed Justice Richard Goldstone’s controversial report on … Continue reading “Rift Developing Between PA and Fatah”

Muslims See Victory at al-Aqsa

EAST JERUSALEM – Clashes between Israeli security forces and protesting Palestinians have subsided as several hundred Muslims agreed to evacuate Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque following a deal brokered by the Jordanian embassy in Tel Aviv Saturday. But the Islamic Movement, whose members sought to take over the mosque, is at the center of intense controversy. In … Continue reading “Muslims See Victory at al-Aqsa”

Unrest Rising Over Goldstone Report

RAMALLAH – The Palestinian Authority (PA) is trying desperately to contain the political fallout following its decision to withdraw support for a UN report into war crimes committed in Gaza in December and January. The UN Security Council had been due to vote last Friday on a resolution that would have condemned Israel’s failure to … Continue reading “Unrest Rising Over Goldstone Report”

Riots May Point to Third Palestinian Uprising

EAST JERUSALEM – Palestinian politicians and Israeli political analysts are warning of a third Palestinian Intifadah following serious rioting in East Jerusalem last Sunday. Clashes broke out between Palestinians protesters and Israeli security forces after a group of extremist Israeli settlers, escorted by Israeli soldiers and police, tried to enter the compound of Al-Aqsa Mosque, … Continue reading “Riots May Point to Third Palestinian Uprising”

More Palestinian Children Getting Jailed

BI’ILIN, West Bank – Eight children between the ages of 10 and 17 were arrested and detained by Israeli soldiers during military raids Monday night and Tuesday morning in the northern West Bank cities Nablus and Qalqilia. Defense for Children International (DCI) Palestine has released a statement that the number of children detained in Israeli … Continue reading “More Palestinian Children Getting Jailed”

Unrest Brewing Beneath Gaza Calm

GAZA CITY – The mile-long stretch that divides Israel’s Erez border crossing into northern Gaza from the Hamas police border post is eerily quiet. But the mountains of rubble, twisted metal, and craters which remain following Israel’s intensive bombing campaign in January serve as a stark reminder that war between the two bitter enemies is … Continue reading “Unrest Brewing Beneath Gaza Calm”

Business Seeks Ways Past Israeli-Palestinian Political Impasse

RAMALLAH – Business between the Palestinian Authority and Israel is growing despite the political impasse over Israel’s refusal to cease illegal settlement-building in East Jerusalem and the Palestinian West Bank. Trade between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) rose 17 percent to $3.9 billion in 2008, according to the Israeli Tax Authority (ITA). In 2007 … Continue reading “Business Seeks Ways Past Israeli-Palestinian Political Impasse”