Gaza Extremists Drifting Toward al-Qaeda?

RAMALLAH – Two separate bomb attacks on Internet cafes in Gaza last week have served as an uncomfortable reminder that extremist groups within the coastal territory may be stronger than the moderate Hamas organization that rules the strip. The attacks in Khan Yunis preceded a warning in a study, due to be released this week … Continue reading “Gaza Extremists Drifting Toward al-Qaeda?”

In Gaza, New Year Reopens Wounds of the Old

GAZA CITY — For many survivors of the last Israeli war on Gaza, time has not healed their wounds, physical or emotional. Amal Samouni, 10, still suffers vision problems in her right eye. The shrapnel remaining in her head causes her constant pain and she is unable to concentrate at school. Her concentration is broken, … Continue reading “In Gaza, New Year Reopens Wounds of the Old”

Cast Lead 2

Did we win? Sunday marked the first anniversary of the Gaza War, alias Operation Cast Lead, and this question fills the public space. Within the Israeli consensus, the answer has already been given: Certainly we won; the Qassams have stopped coming. A simple, not to say primitive, answer. But that is how it looks to … Continue reading “Cast Lead 2”

Gaza March Puts Spotlight on Civilian Suffering

More than 50,000 people are expected to take to the streets of Gaza on Dec. 31 for a mass march designed to send a message to the United States, a key supporter of Israel’s army, that the situation in Gaza violates international human rights laws. The idea behind the "Gaza Freedom March" comes from CODEPINK, … Continue reading “Gaza March Puts Spotlight on Civilian Suffering”

Judge Warns of Israel’s Two-Tier Legal System

An Israeli judge made a historic ruling last week when he decided that an Arab teenager needed "protection" from the justice system and ordered that he not be convicted despite being found guilty of throwing stones at a police car during a protest against Israel’s attack last winter on Gaza. Prosecutors had demanded that the … Continue reading “Judge Warns of Israel’s Two-Tier Legal System”

Gazans Brace for Cold, Bleak, and Miserable Winter

EZBT ABBED RABBO – Tens of thousands of Gazans living in tents and damaged homes face a wet, cold, and miserable winter as Israel’s blockade of the coastal territory continues to prevent the importation of building and reconstruction material. During the last few weeks, Gazans were given a brief reprieve from the oncoming winter as … Continue reading “Gazans Brace for Cold, Bleak, and Miserable Winter”

Palestinians File Lawsuits Over Gaza War

RAMALLAH — As the legal and moral implications of the UN Goldstone report on Israel’s military assault on Gaza continue to mount, Gazans are taking matters into their own hands and preparing civil lawsuits. The Israeli defense ministry’s prosecution department has received about 1,500 notices of future civil lawsuits against the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) … Continue reading “Palestinians File Lawsuits Over Gaza War”

Netanyahu Unsure How to Contain Gaza Fallout

JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finds himself embattled on several fronts as he tries – so far unsuccessfully – to ward off the enormous international pressure on Israel unleashed by the Goldstone report for its conduct of the war against Hamas in Gaza earlier this year. Israel’s failure to bury the report has … Continue reading “Netanyahu Unsure How to Contain Gaza Fallout”

Fool’s Goldstone

According to a Chinese saying, if someone in the street tells you that you are drunk, you can laugh. If a second person tells you that you are drunk, start to think about it. If a third one tells you the same, go home and sleep it off. Our political and military leadership has already … Continue reading “Fool’s Goldstone”

US Berated for Shielding Israel on Gaza Killings

A U.S. decision to stall Security Council action against Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas for war crimes during the 22-day conflict in Gaza last December has come under heavy fire both from inside and outside the United Nations. Addressing the Security Council Wednesday, the chair of the 118-member Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ambassador Maged … Continue reading “US Berated for Shielding Israel on Gaza Killings”