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=> Soldiers make room for settlers to attack peaceful Palestinian demonstratio

Soldiers make room for settlers to attack peaceful Palestinian demonstratio
Posted by Marcello (Guest) - Tuesday, November 22 2011, 22:47:35 (UTC)
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Soldiers make room for settlers to attack peaceful Palestinian demonstration
by Seham on November 22, 2011

B'Tselem: 21 Nov. '11: Video: Soldiers let settlers assault Palestinian demonstrators

http://mondoweiss.net/2011/11/soldiers-allow-settlers-to-assault-palestinian-demonstrators.html

A B'Tselem volunteer documented soldiers enabling settlers to enter a buffer strip around a settlement and throw stones at demonstrators. On the afternoon of 29 October 2011, a Saturday, residents of the Palestinian village Beit Ummar demonstrated against the theft of their land for the benefit of the Carmei Tzur settlement and against denial of their access to the land. The demonstration was held by the special security area (SSA) surrounding the settlement. SSAs are buffer strips that surround settlements, and are not part of the settlements themselves. In the case of Carmei Tzur, the SSA is primarily composed of privately-owned land of Palestinian residents of Beit Ummar and Halhul. The land was ostensibly taken to create a buffer strip to protect the settlers from attacks by Palestinians. In practice, settlers enter these areas freely, while the Palestinian landowners must obtain special permits to enter, and these are given sparingly.

link to www.btselem.org

and other news from Today in Palestine:

Land, property theft & destruction / Ethnic cleansing / Threats to Palestine culture and history


Israeli Interior Ministry approves the construction of 4000 units in Galilee

The Israeli Ministry of Interior approved on Sunday, a plan to build 4000 new settlement units in Deir Al-Asad, Ash-Shagour, Be'ana, Nahariya, Keebuteen, Ashalhout and Rashaveem, the Maan News Agency reported.

link to www.imemc.org

Jewish settlers given green light to seize more Jerusalemite property

Palestinian lawyer Ahmed Al-Ruwaidi said that Jewish settlement societies received recently the green light from the Israeli government to seize more Palestinian real estate in occupied Jerusalem.

link to www.palestine-info.co.uk

Legislation guaranteeing settlement construction for 'natural growth' on the agenda

On Sunday (20 November) Israel’s Ministerial Legislative Committee postponed but did not reject discussion of proposed legislation that would guarantee yearly construction in West Bank settlements to account for “natural (population) growth."

link to www.alternativenews.org

Settlements pose biggest obstacle to Palestinian agriculture

More than 10,000 agricultural holdings can't be accessed due to land confiscation and destruction resulting from the construction of the Israeli separation barrier. Military checkpoints restrict access to another 7000; 8000 have limited access due to their proximity to "closed military zones."

link to www.alternativenews.org

'Dismantling Migron would dismantle coalition'

Yisrael Beiteinu Chair Avigdor Lieberman warns his faction would pull out of coalition if illegal West Bank outposts demolished.

link to www.ynetnews.com

Study: Palestinians invest twice as much in Israel as they do in West Bank, Amira Hass

Israeli-imposed bureaucracy and movement restrictions deter investment in West Bank companies.

link to www.haaretz.com

In 1950, Doubleday censored frank account of Deir Yassin massacre from prominent American’s book, Philip Weiss

One of the ideological puzzles of the Ron Paul campaign is the fact that the best line on Iran and Israel from any of the candidates, by far, has come from an isolationist libertarian Republican from Texas. And the most impressive president on the Israel-Palestine issue was Dwight Eisenhower, who bucked the Israelis in Suez and insisted on the right of return of refugees. (I know, Jimmy Carter is pretty good too).

http://mondoweiss.net/2011/11/in-1950-doubleday-censored-frank-account-of-deir-yassin-massacre-from-prominent-americans-book.html

Israeli Regime & Settler Violence / Threats

B'Tselem: 21 Nov. '11: Video: Soldiers let settlers assault Palestinian demonstrators

A B'Tselem volunteer documented soldiers enabling settlers to enter a buffer strip around a settlement and throw stones at demonstrators. On the afternoon of 29 October 2011, a Saturday, residents of the Palestinian village Beit Ummar demonstrated against the theft of their land for the benefit of the Carmei Tzur settlement and against denial of their access to the land. The demonstration was held by the special security area (SSA) surrounding the settlement. SSAs are buffer strips that surround settlements, and are not part of the settlements themselves. In the case of Carmei Tzur, the SSA is primarily composed of privately-owned land of Palestinian residents of Beit Ummar and Halhul. The land was ostensibly taken to create a buffer strip to protect the settlers from attacks by Palestinians. In practice, settlers enter these areas freely, while the Palestinian landowners must obtain special permits to enter, and these are given sparingly.

link to www.btselem.org

IDF soldier jailed 10 days for throwing stone at Palestinian

The Palestinian man was filming the soldier stationed in Hebron on behalf of the Israeli human rights group Betselem when the initial incident took place.

link to www.haaretz.com

The personal testimony of an ex-Israeli soldier

A former Israeli soldier speaks of the violence he witnessed and perpetrated during his army service in Hebron. Now a member of Breaking the Silence (BTS), the soldier hopes to help the Israeli public see the cost both Palestinians and Israelis pay for the occupation.

link to www.alternativenews.org

Gantz renews war threats against Gaza

Commander in chief of the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) Benny Gantz reiterated his threat to wage a large-scale war on the Gaza Strip and said it would be very painful if it happened this time.

link to www.palestine-info.co.uk


Political Detainees / Other Prisoner News

Israeli army arrests 17 members of Palestinian faction

RAMALLAH (Xinhua) -- Israeli troops raided several West Bank cities early Tuesday and arrested 17 members and supporters of a leftist Palestinian faction, Israeli and Palestinian sources said. The Israeli army "concentrated its detention campaign on followers" of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine ( PFLP) in the cities of Ramallah, Jenin and Nablus, said Zaher Al- Shashtari, a member of the PFLP's politburo. He noted that the PFLP members were arrested from their houses, adding that the PFLP was targeted "due to its position that rejects (peace) projects and sticks by resistance." However, Israeli media quoted an army spokesperson as saying that the PFLP members were wanted for being involved in attacks against Israeli targets. The Israeli army cracks down on what it calls wanted Palestinians on a daily basis.

link to www.philstar.com

Six arrested, including recently freed prisoner, by Israeli forces in morning raids

In the latest early morning raids carried out by Israeli forces in the West Bank, on Monday, Israeli troops arrested six Palestinians, including one who was released last month from an Israeli prison as part of a prisoner swap deal.

link to www.imemc.org

Soldiers Arrest Eight PFLP Members In Jenin

Israeli soldiers invaded the northern West Bank city of Jenin and the surrounding areas at dawn on Tuesday, and arrested eight members of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)

link to www.imemc.org

Israeli court 'extends students detention'

NABLUS (Ma'an) -- An Israeli military court in the West Bank has extended the detention of two students seized a week ago in the northern West Bank, their family said. Saed and Salam Afana while they were picking olives in the family’s field behind the separation wall north of Salfit, relatives told Ma'an. Salem military court, just north of Jenin, has not presented the men with any charges, they added.

link to www.maannews.net

MADA: Israel extends detention of journalist

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli authorities have extended the detention of a Palestinian journalist arrested on Nov. 16, a rights group said Tuesday. The brother of Isra Salhab told The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) that an Israeli court decided Monday to extend her detention until Nov. 25. No charges have been brought against Salhab, 26, who works as a presenter on the satellite station Al-Quds TV.

link to www.maannews.net

Judge Orders Shin Bet to Surrender Abusisi Interrogation Records, Lieberman Met with Ukrainian Interior Minister Over Kidnapping, Richard Silverstein

Dirar Abusisi has now been incarcerated for nine months in an Israeli prison after his illegal kidnapping by Mossad agents from a Ukranian train last February. During that time, the State has not begun any trial against him though it has offered him a plea bargain which he refused. Also during that time, Abusisi’s lawyer, Tal Linoy lodged an appeal with the Israeli Supreme Court demanding Shin Bet records regarding the case which it was withholding (in security cases, the government may refuse to provide evidence). The State has stalled time and again arguing that this “highly unusual” procedure demanded an extraordinary amount of manpower for the prosecution to comply with it. At the last hearing, the judge, growing impatient with the State’s dithering, ordered many of the documents transferred to the defense and noted that it might order even more given to it later.

link to www.richardsilverstein.com

The banality of a Palestinian's arrest, Amira Hass

The usual charges: 'Throwing an object, including a stone, with the intention of harming a person or property,' and organizing an illegal demonstration in which he participated.

link to www.haaretz.com

Prisoners concerned over next phase of swap deal

RAMALLAH (Ma’an) -- Prisoners detained in Israel have expressed concerns that long-term detainees might be excluded from the captive swap deal, in a letter to the Palestinian Authority. In October, Israel agreed to release over 1,000 prisoners in a deal with Hamas to free an Israeli soldier held in Gaza. On Oct. 18, Israel freed 477 detainees, and 550 are yet to be released.

link to www.maannews.net

Gaza

The anguish of a Gaza cancer patient in Cairo, Rami Almeghari

Palestinians in Gaza needing urgent medical care are left with few treatment options because of Israel’s four-year-long blockade. Patients who are able to reach Egypt are oftentimes unable to afford or access treatment that can save their lives.

link to electronicintifada.net

Solidarity / Activism / Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions

Our Weekly Protests will Continue until We Achieve Our Independence

Dozens of suffocation cases were the result of the heavy use of tear gas bombs. While some protesters were injured after severe beatings by the occupation forces who used batons and rifle butts. This violation and repression is practiced weekly by the occupation forces against the popular protests against the apartheid wall and settlement around the west bank. This week coincided with the 23rd anniversary of independence and the seventh anniversary of the death of Yasser Arafat.

link to www.stopthewall.org

Shooting in Hebron: Watch gripping trailer for Nicole Ballivian's new project Sleeping on Stones, Ali Abunimah

The trailer for Sleeping on Stones, the feature film that is the current project of Palestinian-American director Nicole Ballivian, made my heart leap.

link to electronicintifada.net

Bill to investigate flotilla is a ‘tool of intimidation’, Alex Kane

Palestine solidarity activists and human rights lawyers are decrying a Congressional bill that would investigate whether organizations involved in last summer's thwarted flotilla to Gaza should be designated as "terrorist" groups. Critics of the House of Representatives bill see it as the latest in a decades-long effort to intimidate Palestine solidarity activists in the United States.

http://mondoweiss.net/2011/11/activists-and-lawyers-house-bill-to-investigate-terrorist-ties-of-flotilla-is-tool-of-intimidation.html

An interview with Khaled Jarrar: Stamping Palestine into passports

Khaled Jarrar is a Palestinian artist and photographer from Jenin, currently based in Ramallah. In addition to photographing and documenting the Israeli occupation, he has designed a ‘State of Palestine’ postage and passport stamp. This week in an interview with Alistair George of International Solidarity Movement, Jarrar explains the idea behind his stamp, past and future plans, and the extent to which art influences political resistance.

link to palsolidarity.org

Frightened of BDS, pro-Israel groups push holiday shoppers to Buy Israel

The American holiday shopping season begins on "Black Friday," the massive shopping day that follows Thanksgiving. Frightened by the growing BDS movement, pro-Israel groups are promoting a "Buy Israel Week," which will take place the following week.

link to www.alternativenews.org

Political Developments / Diplomacy

Next Palestinian prime minister named

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Dr. Mohammed Mustafa, chairman of the Palestine Investment Fund, is expected to be appointed the next Palestinian prime minister, Asharq al-Awsat reported. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to make the announcement after his scheduled meeting Wednesday with Hamas chief Khaled Masha'al, Palestinian sources told the London newspaper.

link to www.upi.com

Report: US envoy to meet Abbas over unity govt

JERUSALEM (AFP) -- A top US diplomat is to hold emergency talks with Palestinian and Israeli leaders over the next two days regarding plans for a Palestinian unity government, the Israeli newspaper Maariv said Sunday. A spokesman for the US consulate in Jerusalem confirmed that Deputy Secretary of State William Burns would meet President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

link to www.maannews.net

Bardawil: Mishaal-Abbas meeting to agree on national strategy

Political bureau member of Hamas Dr. Salah Al-Bardawil has said that the meeting between Mahmoud Abbas and Khaled Mishaal would focus on approving a national strategy for the upcoming stage.

link to www.palestine-info.co.uk

Pathetic: Abbas: 'We will never forget' King Abdullah visit

RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- President Mahmoud Abbas applauded King Abdullah II of Jordan's visit to Ramallah on Monday, after a brief surprise trip by the royal. Abbas told reporters in Ramallah that King Abdullah's visit was "great," after the leaders met at the presidential compound and the king returned to Jordan.

link to www.maannews.net

Denmark to support Palestine at UN General Assembly

RAMALLAH (Ma’an) -- Denmark said Monday that it would vote in favor of a United Nations General Assembly resolution to upgrade the status of Palestine in the world body. "If the Palestinians choose to put a proposal to the UN General Assembly on an upgrade to the Palestinian status, Denmark will be among the large group of Nordic and EU countries who I expect to vote in favor of the resolution," Danish Foreign Minister Villy Sovndal said in a statement.

link to www.maannews.net

Jordan FM: No talks on moving Hamas offices to Amman

AMMAN, Jordan (Ma'an) -- Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said Monday that no talks were taking place with Hamas to move the party's headquarters to the Jordanian capital Amman. Judeh's comments come amid growing speculation that Hamas' politburo will leave its base in Damascus as Syrian President Bashar Assad faces increasing isolation over his brutal crackdown on protesters.

link to www.maannews.net

Other News

Settlers 'attempted to kill' Israeli soldiers

Donald Macintyre meets the reservist whose blog exposing the violence in the West Bank has shocked his country

link to www.independent.co.uk

Son of Senior Israeli officer granted gag order in death threat case

An Israeli man whose father is a senior officer in the Shin Bet (secret service) was charged with issuing a death threat against members of an Israeli peace group. When the accused was brought before a judge, he requested a ‘gag order’ be issued in the case, preventing the peace group from engaging in further contact with the media about the incident.

link to www.imemc.org

B'Tselem: 21 Nov. '11: The anti-democratic initiatives only strengthen our resolve

Last week the government proposed two bills to limit foreign government funding to organizations like B'Tselem. These bills are part of a broader attack on democratic institutions in Israel, like the High Court and the press, and on critics of current government policy. We are working together with partner organizations to ensure that these bills do not become law. At the same time, we refuse to allow these initiatives to distract us from our work. In fact, I see this precisely as their goal: to silence criticism, whether by actually passing legislation that obstructs our work, or at a minimum by forcing us to divert precious resources in order to defend ourselves from these initiatives.

link to www.btselem.org

Israeli government press adviser quits

One of the Israeli government's press advisers, Eva Berger, has resigned because she claims journalistic freedom is being eroded. Berger, a member of the government press office's advisory council (GPO), said: "The council's objective is to grant its approval of an old wrong, in the guise of democracy - and I will not lend my hand to this."

link to www.guardian.co.uk

Contentious amendment to Israeli libel law passes first major Knesset hurdle

Bill would change existing law to allow individuals to sue a newspaper for up to NIS 300,000, without proof of damages.

link to www.haaretz.com

Israeli rape crisis centers get record number of calls following Katsav verdict

42 percent of calls dealt with rape or attempted rape, 23.4 percent with incest, 10.4 percent reported indecent act, 7.9 percent over sexual harassment at work.

link to www.haaretz.com

U.S.

Santorum says West Bank is Israel’s Texas, and all who live there are ‘Israelis’, Philip Weiss

Gosh I wish I understood who Santorum is pandering to, Christians? But in the guessing game he plays above with a smart questioner, the former Senator says that "all the people who live in the West Bank are Israelis." So is that an inadvertent recognition that it's one political entity now, and Palestinians must have Israel voting rights? Eli Clifton reports on Iowa exchange above, at ThinkProgress:

link to mondoweiss.net

Cain says doctor’s Muslim-sounding name worried him

Herman Cain said this past weekend at a Christian-theme amusement park in central Florida that doctors who are not Christian make him nervous. According to a story released Monday morning by Yahoo News’s The Ticket, Cain revealed to a crowd at The Holy Land Experience theme park his fear when he found out that a surgeon he once saw during chemotherapy was named “Dr. Abudullah.”

link to www.rawstory.com

Egypt

US backs Egypt's military as Tahrir Square crackdown continues

Security forces have killed at least 29 as Tahrir Square protests enter their fourth day. The US has come under attack for backing the military junta despite vows to support democracy and human rights.

link to rss.csmonitor.com

Egypt activists call for 'million-man' rally

Protesters mobilise in Tahrir Square, with head of the military council scheduled to address the nation.

link to english.aljazeera.net

Egypt military rulers must rein in security forces

Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) must urgently bring an end to the excessive use of force that has led to numerous deaths and injuries amid protests in Cairo’s Tahrir Square since Saturday, Amnesty International said today. Some two dozen people have reportedly been killed in violent clashes that erupted in Cairo and Alexandria since Saturday.

link to www.amnesty.org

Egypt cabinet resigns as protests intensify

Interim government quits and elections in jeopardy after three days of violence that have left at least 33 people dead.

link to english.aljazeera.net

ElBaradei approached for Egypt PM post

The ruling military council has asked opposition presidential hopeful to form new government, sources say.

link to english.aljazeera.net

Tahrir Square Under Attack: 32 Egyptians Killed, 1,750 Injured in Protests Against Military Rule

Mass protests across Egypt have entered a third day, calling on the country’s military rulers to quickly transfer power to a civilian government. The fiercest clashes are taking place in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, where thousands of protesters have battled with security forces since Saturday morning. The Associated Press reports today Egypt’s Ministry of Health has raised its casualty figures to 35 dead and more than 1,750 wounded. "Our demands at the beginning of the revolution were freedom, dignity and social justice. We have not seen social justice," says Nasser Abdul Hadi, one of the protesters interviewed in a video report by Democracy Now! correspondent Sharif Abdel Kouddous, who is on the ground in Cairo and has covered the protests since they began. Special thanks to Jacquie Soohen of Big Noise Films.

link to www.democracynow.org

Egypt: Free Blogger Held in Maspero Case

Egypt’s military prosecutor should immediately release an award-winning blogger charged in connection with the demonstration by Christian Copts on October 9, 2011, which turned deadly. Alaa Abdel Fattah was detained and later charged with incitement and theft of a military weapon, even though the prosecutor had presented no evidence to support the charges.His detention came as military prosecutors started questioning activists and priests about their alleged involvement in publicly encouraging Copts to demonstrate on that day.

link to www.hrw.org

U.S. teargas in Tahrir– headline. U.S. teargas in Palestine–circular file, Philip Weiss

Egyptian forces have used U.S.-made teargas against peaceful protesters--CSI gas, made by Combined Systems Inc., in the U.S. These photos show as much, and Salon reports: "Egypt uses U.S. teargas on pro-democracy crowds...By Avi Asher-Schapiro":

http://mondoweiss.net/2011/11/us-teargas-in-tahrir-is-a-story-but-not-in-palestine.html

Egyptians document Tahrir police violence

From Cairo to Alexandria, Egyptians have captured images of rampant police violence using handheld video cameras and mobile phones. Near Tahrir Square, a security officer was filmed being congratulated for shooting at the eyes of a protester. In Alexandria, green lasers alleged to be mounted on guns used by security forces are filmed hitting the leaves of overhead trees just before a protester is shot. Al Jazeera's Omer al-Saleh reports.

link to www.youtube.com


The Lede Blog: Videos Capture Violent Scenes in Egypt

Some of the brutally harsh tactics employed by Egyptian security forces who rushed in to clear Tahrir Square beginning on Saturday were captured on video.

link to thelede.blogs.nytimes.com

Egyptian actor Khalid Abdalla speaks to AJE from Tahrir Square

Egypt's interim cabinet has offered its resignation to the country's ruling military council as clashes raged for a third day in Cairo's Tahrir Square, pitting police and soldiers against protesters demanding democratic change. Al Jazeera's Sherine Tadros speaks to British-Egyptian actor and activist Khalid Abdalla in Cairo.

link to www.youtube.com

Interview: Hossam El-Hamalawy on Tahrir Square

A stalemate has settled over the Egyptian capital's Tahrir Square following a day of deadly clashes between security forces and protesters. The square, which has been the scene of street battles between riot police and activists demanding an end to Egypt's military leadership, was relatively calm on Sunday night after protesters regained control of the area and began calling for reinforcements. Al Jazeera's Ghida Fakhry speaks to Egyptian journalist Hossam El-Hamalawy, who is with the Revolutionary Socialists in Cairo.

link to www.youtube.com

Back to Tahrir Square: Down with Tantawi, Ali Garboussi

Egyptian protesters streamed into Cairo's Tahrir Square on Sunday after a night of deadly clashes that signaled the start of a violent countdown to the first polls since Hosni Mubarak's ouster. Dozens of protesters set up barricades on the edges of the plaza as marchers poured into the square, in scenes reminiscent of the 18 days of protests which toppled Mubarak in February.

link to english.al-akhbar.com

Egyptian State Television Bias Survives the Revolution

Cairo - As Egyptian state television continues to display its hostility to protesters in Tahrir Square, the youth of the revolution have found new ways to ridicule the state channel. During the revolution, the youth used the slogan: “Lies, exclusively on Egyptian television.”

link to english.al-akhbar.com

Activists: We Will Protest Until the Military Regime Falls

“The government’s announced resignation will not stop us from demonstrating,” Egyptian activist Mohammed Hamama said. “After all that has happened, we will not stop demonstrating until the military regime hands over power to a civilian government.” Part of the Egyptian Revolutionary Socialists, Hamama is one of hundreds of thousands participating in protests in the emblematic Tahrir Square for the third day running. “When the government under Mubarak resigned, we did not stop protesting. We wanted the president to go. We will not stop now. The military regime is our goal.” The Egyptian government resigned Monday evening in the wake of three days of protests in Cairo, leaving at least 35 dead. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in Egypt (SCAF) has yet to accept the resignation.

link to english.al-akhbar.com


Bahrain

Bahrain braces for official rights report

A panel set up by the Bahrain's king to investigate violence during protests earlier this year will come out with its findings on Wednesday. Officials say they expect the report to be critical of the government's handling of the crisis. On Monday, Bahrain admitted it used excessive force on anti-government protesters. Al Jazeera's Mohamed Vall has more from Manama.

link to www.youtube.com

Bahrain report must lead to action over protest abuses

The publication this week of a report on events surrounding pro-reform protests in Bahrain earlier this year is an opportunity for the government to deliver justice for the victims of human rights violations, Amnesty International said today. The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report’s findings will be made public on 23 November in Manama, following months of investigation into alleged abuses during and after the protests in February and March.

link to www.amnesty.org

Bahrain admits 'excessive force'

"Excessive force" was used by security forces in Bahrain against pro-democracy protesters earlier this year, the government finds.

link to www.bbc.co.uk

Framing Reem Khalifa

A Bahraini journalist is defending herself against public prosecutors on allegedly trumped up charges of assault on a pro-government doctor. Bahraini journalist Reem Khalifa is facing the possibility of going to prison on charges of defamation and physical assault on a Bahraini doctor. A judge in the lower criminal court in Manama referred the case of Khalifa, a journalist at Al-Wasat newspaper, to the supreme judicial council for consideration. It looks like the case will not be closed anytime soon.

link to english.al-akhbar.com

Bahrain’s Commission of Inquiry Report: Whitewashing a Counter-Revolution?

Tuesday, the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) will publish the findings of its three month investigation into violations of human rights. In utter insensitivity to the victims, the panel of government-appointed international law experts will hand over their report to the King of Bahrain at a “launch party” at his palace.

link to english.al-akhbar.com

Other Mideast

Saudi forces 'open fire' to disperse protest

Several wounded as police use live rounds to disperse demonstration after death of 19-year-old in Eastern Province.

link to english.aljazeera.net

Yemen's Saleh 'agrees' to transfer power

Opposition members say president set to sign powers to his deputy as part of a GCC deal he has repeatedly backed out of.

link to english.aljazeera.net

Tunisian parties agree power-sharing deal

Three major parties formally announce agreement on eve of constituent assembly's first meeting.

link to english.aljazeera.net

CIA forced to curb spying in Lebanon

The agency's crucial post in Beirut is affected after the arrest of several informants this year, sources say. The CIA was forced to curtail its spying in Lebanon, where U.S. operatives and their agents collect crucial intelligence on Syria, terrorist groups and other targets, after the arrests of several CIA informants in Beirut this year, according to U.S. officials and other sources.

http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/middleeast/~3/JEgdr0zD-rM/la-fg-cia-spy-20111121,0,2834141.story

Iraqi prisoners win battle for investigation into mistreatment claims

Judge-led inquiry into British military's detention and interrogation practices in south-east Iraq could follow court ruling. More than 100 Iraqis who were taken prisoner by British troops in the years after the US-led invasion in 2003 have won their court battle for an independent investigation into their allegations that they were subjected to serious mistreatment.

link to www.guardian.co.uk


Iran

Nukes for some are apparently OK: US, Russia and UK back Israel at Mideast meeting (AP)

AP - In a boost to Israel, Russia joined the U.S. and Britain on Tuesday in backing the Jewish state's view that the Middle East cannot be turned into a nuclear arms-free zone without progress on regional peace.

link to us.rd.yahoo.com

Russia warns West against 'unacceptable' sanctions on Iran

Iran condemns sanctions targeting financial sector as 'futile, repetitious efforts' and a 'show of hostility' by Western nations.

link to www.haaretz.com

Sarkozy urges 'unprecedented' sanctions on Iran nuclear program

French President urges freezing overseas assets of Iran central bank, targeting oil industry; Netanyahu: Expected U.S. sanctions will show Tehran the dear price of nuclear ambitions.

link to www.haaretz.com

UK cuts off Iran's banks amid nuclear fear

Britain took the dramatic step of cutting off almost all ties with Iranian banks yesterday amid growing alarm that the country is pursuing an undercover nuclear-weapons programme.

link to www.independent.co.uk

Iran summons Bahrain envoy over terror cell claim (AP)

AP - Iran has summoned Bahrain's top diplomat in the country to protest over allegations that a terror cell uncovered in the tiny island nation has links to Tehran.

link to us.rd.yahoo.com

Iran: No way Israel involved in blast

Islamic Republic's deputy chief of staff denies Israel, US involvement in Tehran military base explosion last week. 'Mossad, CIA take credit for every natural or normal incident that happens,' he claims.

link to www.ynetnews.com

Seymour Hersh: Propaganda Used Ahead of Iraq War Is Now Being Reused over Iran's Nuke Program

While the United States, Britain and Canada are planning to announce a coordinated set of sanctions against Iran’s oil and petrochemical industry today, longtime investigative journalist Seymour Hersh questions the growing consensus on Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program. International pressure has been mounting on Iran since the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency revealed in a report the "possible military dimensions" to Iran’s nuclear activities, citing "credible" evidence that "indicates that Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device." In his latest article for The New Yorker blog, titled "Iran and the IAEA," Hersh argues the recent report is a "political document," not a scientific study. "They [JSOC] found nothing. Nothing. No evidence of any weaponization," Hersh says. "In other words, no evidence of a facility to build the bomb. They have facilities to enrich, but not separate facilities to build the bomb. This is simply a fact."

link to www.democracynow.org

Normalcy’ in the Gulf means billions of US arms sales to face down Iran, Paul Mutter

The U.S. is not so much ignoring the Arab Spring (since it cannot be ignored), but viewing it in the larger context - i.e., our Cold-Hot War with the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1979 to the present. As one U.S. official told the WSJ when asked how arms sales to the U.S.'s Arab allies were being impacted by domestic unrest, the response was "We in the military are poised to get back to normalcy," i.e., arms sales that send a clear message to Iran (ironically, when Warren G. Harding first used that word in 1920, it was followed up by a major reduction of the U.S. armed forces' strength).

http://mondoweiss.net/2011/11/normalcy-in-the-gulf-means-billions-of-us-arms-sales-to-face-down-iran.html

Free graphic novel explores CIA overthrow of Iranian gov’t in 1953, Matthew Taylor

The U.S.-sponsored 1953 overthrow of Iran's democratically elected government is one of the most important and tragic world events of the 20th century, and the effects of this are still being felt today in the Israel+U.S. vs. Iran standoff. My friend Daniel Burwen's studioCognito Comics has developed an interactive iPad graphic novel entitled CIA: Operation Ajax, inspired by Stephen Kinzer's All the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror. Get CIA: Operation Ajax now for free for a limited time! It's an educational and visually stunning work of art!

http://mondoweiss.net/2011/11/free-graphic-novel-explores-cia-overthrow-of-iranian-govt-in-1953.html


Analysis / Op-ed

Goldberg-Gorenberg Lib-Zionist Love Fest Featured in NY Times Book Review, Richard Silverstein

The NY Times made the odd choice of selecting liberal Zionist hawk Jeffrey Goldberg to review Gershom Gorenberg’s new paean to lib Zionism, The Unmaking of Israel. I’m only surprised that they didn’t assign the review to “Eytan” Bronner, that other Times paragon of lib Zionism, . Assigning the review to Goldberg is something akin to commissioning Joe Biden to review Barack Obama’s next book. Though Gorenberg isn’t Goldberg’s boss, they come from the same fairly narrow ideological slice of the Zionist ideological spectrum, with the only difference being that Gorenberg is slightly more critical of Israeli policy and Occupation than Goldberg. It was to be expected that Goldberg would offer an encomium to someone who’s likely an old pal. Israel is a very small place. Gorenberg lives there. Goldberg lived there for years. Surely there are webs and networks interconnecting them in this cozy little community of pro-Israel journalists from which they emerged professionally.

link to www.richardsilverstein.com


“DJ Khaled” & The State Department

The State Department which promotes and sponsors Dean Obeidallah as a comedian is now also promoting a Palestinian-American rapper and radio show host. The State Department’s Bureau of International Information Programs which produced this video featuring Obeidallah (and likely facilitates and/or sponsors his Amman Stand-Up “Comedy” Festival) is now promoting “DJ Khaled.”
link to ikhras.com

www.TheHeadlines.org

About Seham

Seham is a Palestinian-American living in California. Her family is originally from the West Bank.

View all posts by Seham → Posted in Arab Spring, BDS, Egypt, Israel/Palestine, Settlers/Colonists



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