Sunday, April 26, 2009

Focus on Gaza - Factional violence

A revealing new report reveals increasing factional violence between Hamas and Fatah. Gazans speak out as reports that they are being used as Israeli informants come out. And with further Jewish settlement expansion in East jerusalem we speak to one family standing firm



Friday, April 17, 2009

Focus on Gaza - Al Durra special

In the wake of the recent war on Gaza and casualties we visit the Al Durra Family in Gaza to find out how they have coped over the years; and to understand how the pain of loss and bereavement continues, long after the guns cease firing.



Friday, April 3, 2009

Let's go to Rafah NOW!

Let's go to Rafah NOW! (arabic, english and français)

حتى الآن ، أكثر من 300 من المنظمات والأفراد من 26 بلدا أيدوا الدعوة إلى "الحركة الدولية لفتح معبر رفح الحدودي" ونشكركم . وكما تعلمون، هناك دائما أشخاص من جميع أنحاء العالم يحاولون الوصول إلى غزة من اجل إيصال المساعدات إلى الشعب الفلسطيني الذي يعيش في ظل وضع بائس. آلاف الأطنان من المواد الغذائية والطبية والمأوى والمساعدات الطارئة الطوارئ بما في ذلك البطاطين والفرشات ، والتي تبرعت بها دول عديدة من بينها الولايات المتحدة ومنظمات الإغاثة ، منعت من الدخول عبر المعابر من الحكومة الإسرائيلية ، ولكن أيضا من جانب الحكومة المصرية.
ذكرت الأمم المتحدة أن 900000 من سكان غزة يعتمدون الآن على المساعدات الغذائية في أعقاب الاعتداء الإسرائيلي على قطاع غزة والذي استمر لمدة 22 يوم. فقط 100 شاحنة من المساعدات يتم السماح لهم بدخول قطاع غزة كل يوم –اقل ب 30 شاحنة مما كان مسموح بإدخاله في العام الماضي ، وأقل بكثير مما كان قبل العملية الإسرائيلية 'الرصاص المصبوب' :الهجوم الذي خلف ورائه أكثر من 1500 شهيدا فلسطينيا ، غالبيتهم العظمى من المدنيين الذين ذبحوا في الشوارع والمنازل. مع أكثر من 5000 جريح و 100000 بلا مأوى ، وقبول المعونة أمر بالغ الأهمية في هذا الوقت.

هذا جزء بسيط من ما يقارب 500-600 شاحنة التي تعتبر ضرورية للحفاظ على حياة السكان في فى قطاع غزة وفقا للأمم المتحدة. ووفقا للأونروا ، فان شاحنات الغذاء توفر ما يكفي من الغذاء لإطعام 30000 شخص فقط في اليوم الواحد. يمنع المئات من المرضى والمصابين, من هذه الحرب والغزو الإسرائيلي السابق من مغادرة غزة لتلقي العلاج الطبي اللازم والضروري. أكثر من 268 شخص لقوا حتفهم من جراء أحوال صحية ممكن الوقاية منها ومعالجتها وجاء ذلك نتيجة لاستمرار الحصار المستمر منذ أربع سنوات مضت.

وفي شرم الشيخ، وعد زعماء العالم بمساعدات لقطاع غزة تقدر بالبلايين ، ولكن لماذا إذا الحدود لا تزال مغلقة ، و قوافل المساعدات لا تستطيع أن تدخل إلى غزة. لذا لا بد لنا من تحقيق إقامة دائمة بالاعتصام عند معبر رفح على الحدود حتى رفع هذا الحصار والذي يعتبر أصلا جريمة حرب. هدفنا الرئيسي هو ليس فقط السماح لشخصا واحدا أو مجموعة بالعبور إلى غزة ولكن هدفنا هو رفع الحصار وكذلك لمساعدة الفلسطينيين على التنقل بحرية من خلال المعبر، وتطبيق القانون الدولي واحترام الإعلان العالمي لحقوق الإنسان) كانون الأول / ديسمبر 10 عام 1948
وخلال الاعتصام ، فإننا سوف نقوم بتنظيم إجراءات منسقة على جانبي الحدود مع أصدقائنا في قطاع غزة.

لذا ، من أجل تنظيم هذا العمل ، نحن بحاجة إلى معرفة ما يلي : -- متى يمكنك الانضمام إلينا في رفح على الحدود؟
-- هل ستأتي بمفردك أو مع مجموعة؟ إذا كنت ستأتي مع مجموعة ، كم عددكم؟ -- إلى متى يمكنك البقاء هناك؟
-- هل تريد أن تساعدنا في تنسيق هذا العمل؟ كما تعلمون ، السلطات المصرية ستبذل ما بوسعها لمنعكم من الوصول إلى معبر رفح الحدودي ، لذلك سنقدم لكم كل المعلومات والاتصالات التي سوف تحتاجون إليها في مصر. إذا كنت لا تستطيع أن تأتي : قد يكون لك صديق ناشط ممكن أن تساعده على المجيء (من خلال جمع التبرعات) يمكنك أيضا التواصل مع وسائل الإعلام وجميع محيطك دعما لهذا العمل ، فإننا سوف نبدأ قريبا " حملة الاحتجاج البريدية " للسفارات (سفارة مصر في بلدكم ، والسفارة الخاصة بك في مصر) ، وإلى وزارة الخارجية. حتى إذا كنت تنوي المجيء قريبا أو في الأشهر المقبلة، أو إذا كنت تحتاج إلى مزيد من التفاصيل، يرجى الاتصال بنا على:
http://us.mc1103.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=intmorb@googlemail.com


مع كل التضامن

مادة 13

1- للجميع حق التنقل والإقامة ضمن حدود المنطقة التي يسكن بها.
2- للجميع الحق بترك أي بلد من البلاد من ضمنها بلده, وله حق العودة إليها متى يشاء.

_______________________________________________________________________

Let's go to Rafah NOW!

Dear friends,

Till now, more than 300 organizations and individuals from 26 countries have endorsed the call “International Movement to Open the Rafah Border” and we thank you.

As you may know, there are always people from all over the world who are trying to get into Gaza in order to bring aid to the Palestinian people who are living in a desperate situation.

Thousands of tons of food, medical and emergency shelter aid including blankets and mattresses, donated by countries including the United States and aid organisations, are denied entry through crossings by the Israeli government but also by the Egyptian government.

The United Nations has stated that 900,000 Gazans are now dependent on food aid following Israel‘s 22-day assault on the tiny coastal territory.
Only 100 aid trucks are being allowed into Gaza each day - 30 less than were being brought in last year and substantially less than before Israel’s operation ‘Cast Lead’: an attack that has left over 1,500 Palestinians dead, the vast majority of them civilians massacred in their streets and homes. With over 5,000 injured and 100,000 homeless, admittance of aid is crucial at this time.

This is a fraction of the estimated 500-600 trucks deemed necessary to sustain the population of Gaza according to the United Nations. According to UNRWA, food trucks are delivering enough food to feed just 30,000 people per day.

Hundreds of medical patients, the injured from this war and Israel’s previous invasions, are being prohibited from leaving Gaza for indispensable medical treatment. Over 300 people have died of preventable and treatable conditions, due to the ongoing siege staged since 4 years ago.

In Sharm El Sheik, the world leaders promised billions of aid to Gaza, but how if the borders remain closed and aid trucks cannot enter into Gaza.

So we must establish a permanent sit-in at the Rafah border till the siege, which is a war crime, is lift.

Our main goal is not that one person or a group enter into Gaza but our goal is to lift the siege and also to help the Palestinians to move freely through the crossing, an application of international law and the respect for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (December, 10th 1948).*.
During our sit-in, we will organize coordinated actions on both sides of the border with our friends in Gaza.

So, in order to organize this action, we need to know:

- When can you join us at the Rafah border?
- Will you come alone or with a group? If you will come as a group, how many people are you?
- How long can you stay there?
- Would you want to help us in coordinating this action?


As you can guess it, the Egyptian authorities will do their best to prevent you from reaching the Rafah border, so we will give you all the information and contacts in Egypt you need.


If you cannot come:

May be you can help a friend, an activist to come (through fundraising)

You can also communicate with media and all your surroundings

In support of this action, we will launch soon a "mailing protest campaign" to embassies (Egypt Embassy in your country, and your own embassy in Egypt) and to your Foreign Office

So if you intend to come soon or in the coming months or if you need more details, please contact us at : http://us.mc1103.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=intmorb@googlemail.com

In solidarity


* Article 13. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. (2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

=========================================

Allons à Rafah, MAINTENANT !
Chers amis,
Jusqu'à présent, plus de 300 organisations et individus de 26 pays ont signé l'appel du « Mouvement International Pour Ouvrir la Frontière de Rafah » et nous vous en remercions.
Comme vous le savez peut-être, des gens du monde entier essaient en permanence d'entrer dans Gaza afin de venir en aide au peuple palestinien qui vit dans une situation désespérée.
Des milliers de tonnes de nourriture, de médicaments et d'aide d'urgence, comme des couvertures et des matelas, donnés par des de nombreux pays dont les États-Unis et des organisations d'aide, ne peuvent entrer à Gaza, en raison de la fermeture des passages frontaliers par le gouvernement israélien, mais aussi par le Gouvernement égyptien.
L'Organisation des Nations Unies a déclaré que 900.000 habitants de Gaza sont désormais dépendants de l'aide alimentaire après la guerre de 22 jours d'Israël contre le petit territoire côtier.
Seuls 100 camions d’aide sont autorisés quotidiennement à pénétrer dans la Bande de Gaza – soit 30 camions de moins que l’an dernier et nettement moins que le nombre autorisé à entrer par Israël avant l'opération 'Plomb Durci’ : une attaque qui a fait à Gaza plus de 1300 morts, dont la majorité étaient des civils qui ont été massacrés dans leurs rues et leurs maisons. Avec plus de 5000 blessés et 100.000 sans-abri, l'accès à l'aide est crucial en ce moment.
Cela ne représente qu’une petite partie des 500 à 600 camions jugés nécessaires pour subvenir aux besoins de la population de Gaza, selon l'Organisation des Nations Unies. Selon l'UNRWA, les camions de nourriture autorisés à entrer ne permettent d’alimenter que 30.000 personnes par jour.
Des centaines de malades, de blessés de cette guerre et des précédentes invasions israéliennes ont l’interdiction de quitter Gaza pour se faire soigner. Plus de 300 personnes sont mortes en raison du blocus qui dure depuis 4 ans maintenant, alors que leur état était curable et que leur mort était évitable.
A Charm El Cheik, les dirigeants mondiaux ont promis des milliards de dollars d'aide à Gaza, mais pourquoi si les frontières restent fermées et si même les camions d’aide ne peuvent entrer dans la bande de Gaza ?
Nous devons donc établir un sit-in à la frontière de Rafah jusqu'à ce que le siège, qui est un crime de guerre, soit levé.
Notre objectif principal n'est pas qu’une personne ou un groupe de personnes entre dans la bande de Gaza, mais de lever le siège et également d'aider les Palestiniens à se déplacer librement, une application du droit international et le respect de la Déclaration universelle des droits humains (10 décembre1948).*.
Au cours de notre sit-in, nous organiserons des actions coordonnées des deux côtés de la frontière avec nos amis de la Bande de Gaza.
Ainsi, afin d'organiser cette action, nous avons besoin de savoir :
- Quand pouvez-vous nous rejoindre à la frontière de Rafah ?
- Viendrez-vous seul ou en groupe ? Si vous êtes un groupe, combien de personnes êtes-vous ?
- Combien de temps pouvez-vous rester ?
- Voulez-vous nous aider dans la coordination de cette action ?
Comme vous pouvez l’imaginer, les autorités égyptiennes feront tout leur possible pour vous empêcher d'atteindre la frontière de Rafah. Aussi nous vous donnerons toutes les informations et les contacts en Egypte dont vous aurez besoin.
Si vous ne pouvez pas venir :
Vous pouvez peut-être aider un ami, un militant à venir (par le biais d’une collecte de fonds).
Vous pouvez également transmettre nos informations aux médias et aux organisations autour de vous.
Pour soutenir cette action, nous lancerons prochainement une "campagne d'envoi de lettres de protestation" aux ambassades (Ambassade d'Egypte dans votre pays, et à votre ambassade en Egypte) ainsi qu’à votre ministère des Affaires Etrangères.
Donc, si vous avez l'intention de venir très bientôt ou dans les mois à venir, ou si vous avez besoin de plus de détails sur notre action, veuillez nous contacter à: http://us.mc1103.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=intmorb@googlemail.com.
En solidarité
* Article 13 :
1. Toute personne a le droit de circuler librement et de choisir sa résidence à l'intérieur d'un Etat.
2. Toute personne a le droit de quitter tout pays, y compris le sien, et de revenir dans son pays.

-- In Solidarity from all International Movement to Open Rafah Border
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9986479902

INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT TO OPEN RAFAH BORDER


Dont let Gaza die
Global Help Initiative For Palestine
After the massacre of the people of Gaza by the Israeli army thatstarted on December, 27th 2008, the world was moved at the plight ofPalestinians. But Gaza remains closed almost hermetically, humanitarianconvoys accumulate at the border and only a small part is allowed toenter. Similarly, citizens of various countries, including manyPalestinians are stranded in Egypt.We, citizens of the world, oppose this illegal and deadly blockade,tolerated, not to say encouraged by most governments of the world,especially those of USA, Israel, Europe and many of the Arab countries.Once again, it seems that only civil society is able to mobilize todemand the application of the basic rights of people that are echoed ininternational law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights(December, 10th 1948).*Therefore, we call any individual or group (association, organisation,party, etc.) to participate, within its means, to establish a permanentsit-in at the border in Rafah, to put pressure on the Egyptian, US,European and Israeli governments, and also on the internationalcommunity, until the definitive opening of the border between Gaza andEgypt, allowing the free movement of goods and people.TO FREE GAZA, TO BREAK THE SIEGE, FOR FREE MOVEMENTALL AT RAFAH , NOW !* Article 13.(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country
Enquires and endorsements please contact: IntMorb@Googlemail.com

Organisations :
ISM-France
PAz Ahora (Espagne)
Revista Rubra (Portugal)
MSRPP (France)
Forum Palestina (Italia)
AMFP (France)
Viva Palestina (UK)
Association des Palestiniens en France
Collectif des Musulmans de France
Comite St Ouen Solidarite Palestine, France
EMF (Etudiants Musulmans de France)-Nantes, France
Ittijah, France
Resistance Palestine, France
Jordan Society for Human Rights - Jordan
Jordanian Intellectuals For Gaza - Jordan
Global Help Initiative for Palestine (HI), Gaza, Palestine
ISM-Chicago, USA
Pink Code, USA
Convergence des Causes (France)
AssociazioneZaatar – Associazione Ghassan Kanafani (Lucca) - Circolo aziendaleferrovieri del PRC Spartaco Lavagnini di Firenze - Network of ArtistsAgainst War Italia – Associazione ALTRIMONDI, sezione Palestina -Comitato varesino per la Palestina - Sinistra Critica (Varese) –Comitato Provinciale ARCI di Varese.
Friends of Lebanon, United Kingdom
The Peace Cycle, United Kingdom
MPACuk, United Kingdom

Individuals: (16 nationalities)
Nada Kassas,Egypt, Journalist and activist
Iman Badawi, Egypt, Journalist and activist
Kamel Elbasha, Egypt, author and activist
Amal Wahdan, Palestinian Activist and journalist
Julio Rodriguez, (Spain)
Christian Chantegrel, SB (Siege Buster) France
Paki Wieland, Northampton Massachusetts, USA
Northampton Committee to End the War in Iraq
Western Mass Raging Grannies, Code Pink.
Nadine Rosa-Rosso, Belgium, creator of the call to remove Hamas from European terrorist organizations lists
Abdelaziz Chambi - Activist - France

Youssef Girard, Historians, France

Mireille Rumeau, Activist, France
Sandrine Mansour-Merien, France, historian Palestinian refugee
Abdel Salam Saleh - Novelist - Jordan

Saleh abu-Taweeleh - Activist - Jordan

Suleiman Sweiss - Human Rights Activist - Jordan

Laila Zo bi - Activist - Jordan

Mohammad Faraj - Activist – Jordan
Naser abu-Nassar - Activist – Jordan
Ayed Nab a - Director - Jordan

Kamal Khalil - Singer and Composer - Jordan

Mohammad Nasralla - Plastic Artist - Jordan

Kawthar Arar - Journalist - Jordan

Abdul Rahman el-Ja bari - Cartoonist – Jordan
Yahya abu-Safi - Researcher - Jordan

Majed Toubeh - Secretary of Jordanian Journalists Syndicate - Jordan

Mohammad Deebo - Poet and Activist - Syria

Akram Kreishan - Int l Expert in Human Rights - Jordan

Laila Faisal - Activist - Jordan/USA

Mohammad Shareef el-Jayyousi - Journalist – Jordan
Rabea Salhieh - Dental Surgeon - Jordan 

Olfat Jaser - King Hussien Cancer Foundation - Jordan

Ra ed Abdel Haq - Tourist Guide – Jordan
Amina Abu-Hamdia - Activist -Jordan/USA
Sari Hanafi, Liban, Professor, Beirut American University
Asim Ghani, Pakistan, journalist
Saad Javed Khan, Pakistan
Khaled Amayreh, Palestine, Journalist
AfafDajani, Palestine, RASED president, Palestinian Ass. for HumanRights-jerusalem office and President of Ass. for women and children
Dr Haidar Eid, Gaza, Palestine
Asma Qwaider, Gaza, Palestine, Palestine Forum
Adnan el-Sabbah - Writer - Palestine

Amani Abu shaaban - Engineer - Gaza – Palestine
Laila Harbe – Engineer - Gaza – Palestine
Naila Gergawe – Engineer - Gaza – Palestine
Nebal Erhem – Engineer - Gaza – Palestine
Mohmmed Jabber – Artist - Gaza – Palestine
Ismail Hefene – Engineer - Gaza – Palestine
Mohammed Haj - Artist - Gaza – Palestine
Abdullah Roze - Artist - Gaza – Palestine
Amani Abu hamda - Artist - Gaza – Palestine
Nahel Mhana – Designer - Gaza – Palestine
Enas Jaber - Artist - Gaza – Palestine
Ola Sakallah – Engineer - Gaza – Palestine
Eman Aby shamlla - Teacher - Gaza – Palestine
Dalia Taha – Engineer - Gaza – Palestine
Saleh Sahuon – Accountant - Gaza – Palestine
Rania Shawa – Accountant - Gaza – Palestine
Zaher Akeila – Accountant - Gaza – Palestine
Hanaa Sahaw – Accountant - Gaza – Palestine
Ahamed Morad - Doctor - Gaza – Palestine
Maysaa Abu Shaaban – Doctor - Gaza – Palestine
Mohamed Abu Randan – Accountant - Gaza – Palestine
Khalel Khodare – Engineer - Gaza – Palestine
Majed Khodare – Accountant - Gaza – Palestine
Rame Mohana – Judge - Gaza – Palestine
Saad Mohana – Accountant - Gaza – Palestine
Ishaq Mohana – Judge - Gaza – Palestine
Mazen Sesalem – Judge - Gaza – Palestine
Tagred Khodare – Journalist - Gaza – Palestine
Jamal Lolo – Accountant - Gaza – Palestine
Khaled Lolo – Accountant - Gaza – Palestine
Batol Shorafa – Engineer - Gaza – Palestine
Mahmmod Moshtaha – Accountant - Gaza – Palestine
Deima Redece – Engineer - Gaza – Palestine
Mohammed Thalthene – Accountant - Gaza – Palestine
Asaad Yazje – Accountant - Gaza – Palestine
Somaia Qwaider - Coordinator - Gaza – Palestine
Raheane Dalol - Coordinator assistant - Gaza – Palestine
Heba Sharef - Designer - Gaza – Palestine
Mohammed Madhoon - Student - Gaza – Palestine
Anour Shekh - Student - Gaza – Palestine
Mohammed Yosef - Student - Gaza – Palestine
Abed allah Zaalan - Student - Gaza – Palestine
Saady Hamed - Student - Gaza – Palestine
Abed rahem Hamed - Student - Gaza – Palestine
Mahmod Madhoon - Student - Gaza – Palestine
Mohamed Esmaial - Student - Gaza – Palestine
Doaa Eaila - Student - Gaza – Palestine
Fatema Hasham - Student - Gaza – Palestine
Anor Qeshawie - Student - Gaza – Palestine
Maha Balata - Student - Gaza – Palestine
Abdalla el-Harkan - Financial Manager - Saudi Arabia
George Galloway, Member of Parliament (UK)
Yvonne Ridley, Journalist and Author, UK.
Andrew J Silvera, Action4Palestine, UKLynn Wilson, Global Help Initiative for Palestine, UK
Dr Mohamed Abassi, United Kingdom
Laura Abraham, Cofounder & Director The Peace Cycle, (UK

Members of Viva Palestina, drivers to Gaza, entitled to Palestinian Passport :
Mrs Nafisa Saeed, Y. Manvra, R. Raja,
Akram Janua, Nusarrat Janjua, Sofia Janjua, X Janjua, Shereen Bhorat, MouradAbib (Algerian Relief), David Joner, Kevin Ovenden, Tahir Gorji, KieranTurner, Safraz Patel, Ruhel Mial, Bisharet Ali, Asad Iqbal, HusseinSaleam, Shahed Miah (Solihull), Faruk Shaikh (Gloucester), Ahmed Nisar,Ahmed Riaz, Alaa Mousa, Samir Ali, Abdullam Khan, Zabar Khan, AbdurRahman Motara (Gloucester), Mansur Sadaq, Cheikh Zahir, Zarina Bhatia,Alan Morton, Mahmood Hussain, Mohamed Khan, Nasima Ali, Carole Swords,Arif Bagasi,
Mahjabeen Bhatti psychotherapist, Canada
Emanuele Vitali, Domenico De Filippis, Germano Monti (Italia)
Hedy Epstein (Deutschland))
Tinet Elmgren, Comic artist, Germany
Edith Lutz, Dr Phil. Germany
Lesley A. Esteves, Deputy Editor, Outlook Traveller Getaways, New Delhi, India
Prof.MassimoDe Santi (Presidente CIEP - Comitato Internazionale di Educazione perla Pace) - Patti Cirino - Federico Giusti (Pisa) - Enrica Palmieri(docente Accademia Nazionale di Danza (Roma) - Alessandra Festini -Alessandra Fava - Edvino Ugolini (Trieste) - Gabriella Macucci (Siena)- Maria Grazia Campari (Milano) - Lea Melandri - Claudio Ortale(capogruppo PRC Municipio 19 – Roma) - Francesco Bravetti (Roma) - Ettore Davoli (Roma) - Nello Acampora (Circolo PRC Campobasso) -Andrea Montella - Paola Baiocchi - Elena Montella - Elia De Pasquale
Enquires and endorsements please contact: IntMorb@Googlemail.com

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Focus on Gaza - White Phosphorous

In this week's show we hear how Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of war crimes for it's unlawful use of white phosphorous. Mike Kirsch a town in the US where white phosphorous is manufactured and shows locals the true human cost of the weapon.

Survivors of the war in Gaza take legal action and we meet a mother burnt by white phosphorous who tells her story.