Gaza: The Hass and Hass nots of freedom of the Press

Freedom of the press in Gaza has been in the headlines quite a lot in the last month. First of all, Israel made a strange decision to refuse all access of members of the international media working in the region via Erez Checkpoint to the Gaza Strip. While it most definitely is a strange decision, especially from a democracy, one Israeli spokesman was quoted in the New York Times as saying that he is not "shedding any tears" that the international press aren't going in to Gaza.

The Foreign Press Association appealed the decision to Israel's supreme court, whom did not have the chance to debate the case. This came to an end when Israel today reversed the decision and let journalists in to Gaza. I am certain the the FPA are kicking themselves over the Israeli step to open the doors for them today. Indeed dragging Israel through a high profile media court case would give them enough to write about for months.

The second issue to do with freedom of the press is an incident concerning a highly respectable journalist, Amira Hass. Ms. Hass works for the Israeli broadsheet, left leaning newspaper, Haaretz. She has lived both in Gaza and Ramallah and that makes her a different type of Israeli journalist. She is unique. Amira Hass gets out in to the field. Three weeks ago she joined a ship to Gaza organized by the "Free Gaza Movement". Since then she has been writing about Gaza and its problems, mostly pertaining to Israel but also passing judgment on Hamas as a government. This week Hamas informed her that she can no longer stay in Gaza due to "security" problems. While she tried to challenge the expulsion order, the powers that be in Gaza would not show any flexibility, except for a 20 hours extention to pack her bags and say good bye to all her friends. In an interview today to an Israeli radio station Hass said that "they (Hamas) made it clear that they were uncomfortable with free press. They made it clear that foreign media that come for a day or two are not like a permanent presence of three months, they made it clear that it is an inconvenience for them".

So from what I can make out of her statement is:
a. Freedom of the press in Gaza means you are free to write about occupation, Israeli atrocities and the siege.
b. Forget about investigative journalism – say like a report on "where is Gilad Shalit", or "Hamas the first Islamic Brotherhood Government in the region – prospects for the future" , "Hamas's governing capabilities".

Don't get me wrong but by putting both of the stories together, Hass and the FPA, I kind of get the impression that the FPA won't be appealing the Hamas Government or legal system to let them cover the internal problems of Gaza. As Cicero said, "O tempora, O mores!"

Booth binging in Gaza

So a few things have happened in Gaza since I last posted. The "cease fire" between seems to be upholding, and both children of Sderot and Beit Hanun have gone back to school uneventfully. Who said good news is no news…?
Lauren Booth, former British Prime Minster, Tony Blair's sister in law seems to be the most prominent voice of the "Free Gaza" movement. This week she claimed that the Gaza Strip is the largest concentration camp in the world. She also pointed out that the situation resembles Darfur. I thought it would be good to try analyze this interpretation of this statement. First of all, lets break down the "concentration camp", the definition of such is roughly "A camp where civilians, enemy aliens, political prisoners, and sometimes prisoners of war are detained and confined, typically under harsh conditions". The Gaza Strip, while the border with Israel is strictly controlled, since the early 90's, and one border with Egypt whom aren't really interested in a Gazan infestation is an autonomous area. The people whom live there, some 1.4 million Palestinians, generally call the place home I seriously doubt the Jews of the 1930's – 40's called "Auschwitz" home. In this quasi state, after a over a year of aggression against its best neighbor Gazans may be confined to the small strip of land, but it is indeed due to the hostilities is government chose to initiate. So while she continues to work for the "Palestinian cause" I wish her only to remember that “work makes (one) free”. As for Darfur, The War in Darfur is a military conflict in the Darfur region of western Sudan. The current lines of conflict are seen to be ethnic and tribal, rather than religious. The war there has an estimated 400,000 people dead from violence and disease. The war between Israel and the Gaza Strip is a war of Ideologies, with a taint of religion. The Islamist government of Gaza claiming the infidels must be ousted and free Palestine of all Jews, unless they are willing to live under the Islamic rule (just like Christians under Gaza rule). The war in Darfur is a result The combination of decades of drought, desertification, and overpopulation are among the causes of the Darfur conflict, because nomads searching for water have to take their livestock further south, to land mainly occupied by Black African farming communities. This of course leaves people hungry on the brink of starvation.
On the other hand, in Gaza Lauren Booth is witnessing the plight of the so called Israeli siege. Looks like they have run out of caviar….

Another highlight of Ms. Booth visit to Gaza was a lovely ceremony with the head honcho of Gaza aka, Ismaiel Hania, she received a Palestinian passport (Palestinians would do anything to trade her EU passport). So I wonder if she will try and return to England with the prestigious Palestinian passport. All I can say to her is "bon voyage", or good bye and good riddance.

Internationals claims of breaking siege

So finally, after one year of planning, two wooden fishing boats made their final trip to the coast of Gaza. 44 self pronounced human rights activists made their best effort to bring to the global attention the suffering of the people of Gaza. They hoped that Israel would have tried to prevent and confront them while all the time, being followed by the international media.
Israel instead, for the first time that I can recall, made a choice to play along with the global interest. By approving the boats to reach their final destination they deprived the "activists" from their front page aspirations (who said death wish?). Why did Israel do this? Well, in my view there could be a number of reasons. First of all, Condolezza Rice is to visit later on this week, a State Dept. visit while US & European citizens are screaming "occupation" would be a bit of an embarrassment. Also, Israeli Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, is planned to visit Egypt and continue the dialogue between the two states. Since the "breaking of the siege" all of the Palestinian media has been discussing why these strange internationals are doing their best putting their lives at risk and all the time over the last year the arab world are literally sitting on their hands.
How do we get out of this place?
This is something yet to be concluded. Are they going to sail out? Are they going to try and get out via Rafah? Will they try and approach the Israeli authorities and request to leave via Israel. One thing is apparent, if by sea or by Erez crossing they will be checks by the Israeli security services.

Human Rights – only for the Palestinians
One thing I can't seem to understand. None of these human rights provocateurs (AKA activists) cry out against Hamas terrorist activities. Israeli civilians have constantly been targeted and no global group had cried out for their human rights.


This is definitely a developing story.

ONE YEAR UNDER HAMAS

Whats up in Gaza??

A blast of a weekend
Over the last 24 hours 3 bombs have exploded in the Gaza Strip. 6 people have been killed, including a 6 year old girl. Most of the media reported that five of the dead were members of the armed wing of the Hamas terrorist organization, "Iz eldin al Kassam".

I response, Hamas "Police" force (AKA - ruthless killers in the name of Allah) have herded up 120 Fatah supporters, claiming that the bombing was their doing. Ma'an News Agency also pointed out the Fatah institutions were ordered to shut their doors. Meanwhile, reports by Palestinian media and bloggers have indicated that the bombing was actually carried out by other Hamas operatives in an internal power struggle.



Reports in the name of "justice"
Numerous reports came out this week, UNRWA, the most objective UN body, working in the territories pointes fingers at Israel as responsible for an all high of 52% of the people living I Gaza are under the official poverty line. Although they did indicate that rockets have been fired from the strip, the have once again outdone themselves in belittling the situation, and of course the Israeli right to self defense.

The British House of commons issued their annual report about the situation in the "OPT" (Occupied Palestinian Territories), nothing new all based on reports by UN, Palestinian and Israeli NGOs and interviews with key "impartial" individuals (like Tony Blair). They too do not acknowledge the Israeli right to prevent terror activities against its citizens. Let alone deplore the Hamas Policy of intentionally attacking Israeli civilians.

UN: Increase in goods to Gaza
In an unprecedented news report ,the UN news agency IRIN – actually indicated a slight increase in goods flowing in to the Gaza Strip. Israel has been quite clear about their policy from day one. The simple equation, no rockets = borders are open. The Israeli Coordination of Government of Activities in the Territories reported this week that an on going increase of goods to Gaza has taken place with almost 90 truck loads of goods being shipped in to the Gaza Strip via Sufa crossing, about 80 truck loads of grains via Karni conveyer belt. Israeli defense officials reported that Kerem Shalom is being rebuilt and is planned to be reopened in six weeks, they promised that this should further increase the amount of shipments daily coordinated in to Gaza. Just so that it's clear, Hamas terrorists infiltrated the Kerem Shalom terminal in April blowing it to smithereens, who said they were shooting themselves in the foot? As far as fuel is concerned, reports from Gaza indicate that the motorcycles are back on the streets, and that the price of fuel has started to drop due to the 30% increase of fuels being allowed in to Gaza. The EU has stated to the Palestinian power company that they will not increase the amount of fuel they are willing to pay for required for the only power station in Gaza. This is despite that Israel has agreed to increase the flow of heavy duty diesel for the power requirements of Gaza.

Ship for Shore
In the next few days we can expect that one of the main issues concerning Gaza, will be the attempt by International and Israeli peace activists to try and access Gaza from the sea. The "Free Gaza" movement has been saving pennies to try and sail to Gaza they are due to cast off on the 5th of August from Cyprus, and they expect to arrive within a day or two to the coast of Gaza. The Israeli Army has not revealed what they plan to do, I predict that they most likely will be stopped miles away from Gaza.

This is a Military DISGRACE!

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Been a Long TIME......

So here we go.... I have been just a bit preoccupied, but thought I would try and make an effort at posting.

Just over one month since the so called "cease fire" has been in place. Hamas continually blame Israel for not fulfilling its side. Israel for its part has generally implemented a policy of "you shoot" = "crossings are closed". Is the policy working? I would say that from my analysis no rockets or mortars have been launched against Israel in over a week. Crossings Sufa and the conveyor belt at Karni are operating at 100% capacity. Nahal Oz fuel depot is operating under restrictions of the Israeli government. The Kerem Shalom crossing is completely destroyed due to a terrorist attack in April, carried out by Hamas militants.

If the crossing was open another 40 trucks per-day could be processed and added to the other 160. The restrictions although alleviate the situation are still barely enough for the minimal needs. The regular "Joe" (Or Ahmed) in the Gaza Strip, don't seem to be feeling any change. Israel have to do some outreaching otherwise it will just backfire. What does it all mean? And where is it going? Hamas and Israel have found themselves in a unique window of opportunity of mutual interest. Hamas need the time to recuperate and rebuild public support that was dwindling, Israel wants peace for its citizens of the south. Will it work? I guess that as long – and it could be for a long time, as Hamas need to rebuild, train, and put off any large scale offensive, we will only see a trickle of rockets. Hamas have proven, once more, that they rule the Gaza Strip and that they are a force to be reckoned with. Time will tell, and I will try to find the time to put my insight in to writing..

Gaza - Siege, Rafah, and the Secretary General of the UN

Last Thursday Israel Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, ordered the borders between Israel and Gaza locked shut. This was a gut response to the barrage of about 200 rockets and mortars fired at Israel. It seems that Barak did not take in to account the international interest and media coverage that was sure to mount up. On Friday Israeli dailies Ma'ariv and Yedioth Ahronot quoted Israeli officers that Gaza with in days will be in a humanitarian crisis. Those officers whom remained nameless predicted the obvious result. Fuel for the only power station in Gaza that supplies only 30% of Gaza's needs, mainly to Gaza city and the north would last until Sunday at 2000. And indeed the complete closure of the crossings with no fuel, food or medication going through, left the majority of the population in despair and in limbo.
Hamas let the world do its job, proclaiming collective punishment, the International community especially UNRWA, the largest organization in the middle east, threatened that due to the lack of food and nylon bags to pack its wheat in it would cease activities. All the time Hamas orchestrated from behind the scenes. Pictures of the march of candles on Sunday, followed by the freezing children in hospitals were great leaders for the media story. Stories of people suffering due to the harsh inhumane acts of the Israeli government were the subtext that the world nibbled up. Everybody lost interest in the rockets and mortars by Sunday at 2000. Less than 24 hours later the Ministry of Defense declared it would resume flow of fuel and international aid. Since then a trickle of fuel has enabled the power plant to resume its activities, and the International Community have continued to struggle to work. This all led to the obvious on Wednesday evening, the rupturing in a well orchestrated act of blowing up the separation wall on the border between Gaza and Egypt. Now you don't need intelligence to predict such a move. It could actually be a positive on for Israel if it leads to reliving Israel from its occupational obligations. On the other hand, it will definitely open Gaza to those outside influences, i.e. Iran, Syria and Hizbullah, the Israeli defense establishment is so concerned about. While Egypt has said that will seal the border again, it has also pointed out that it will not let Gaza starve, so the prediction for the near future is that the border will be open a couple of times a week to enable the Palestinians of Gaza to get their breath of fresh air. Welcome to the new Gaza pressure valve, no longer any need for tunnels.
The Secretary General on the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, in a press briefing called on cessation of violence. "What I would like to urge to the parties concerned [is], first of all, first and foremost, they should try to resolve all the issues, all the political issues, however complex, however difficult they may be, to resolve in a peaceful means, through dialogue". HA! Dialogue.

Happy New Year - Back from My Pilgrimage as are many in Gaza

So I have been away for some time, trying to think things out and also trying to figure out what to do with this blog...... I still haven't come to any clear decision if I should continue or not. I am not to sure my writing interests anybody, I would be grateful for any comments.

This weeks high light was definitely the stand off between Egypt, Israel & Hamas. Now following the happenings of the relations between Israel and Egypt and the thorn in both of their sides Hamas, it was obvious, at least for me, that Egypt would eventually allow Hamas to open the Rafah border. There was no way Hamas was going to let the Pilgrims come back to the Gaza Strip via the tri-state border Kerem Shalom (Karem Abu Salem), and let its people go through any type of "security checks" by the Israelis. So when the "Crisis of Mecca" started it was a matter of how long Egypt was going to make a fool of itself. I also don't understand those Israeli advisers, I am certain they didn't believe that Egypt would actually accept their conditions under pressure from the Palestinians in Gaza and the entire Muslim world.

So people are happy to be back, and in the mean time the Islamic Jihad has been high on the Israeli military ans air force priority list. Did some one say "look out Hania here we come"?

Anyway, just some of my thought for the situation.....

Finally the UN condemns mortar launching from its school in Beit Hanun

It was on the first of November that I indicated that the school in the IDF footage from the 29 October is actually a UN school run by the UN relief agency UNRWA. Since then the UNRWA have kept a tight lid on the issue doing and only the Jerusalem Post reported that Israel complained to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) over the use of a school run by the organization as a launching pad for a mortar attack on Israel. "UNRWA condemns the use of its facilities by militants, not least because these militant activities put the lives of schoolchildren and our teachers at risk and also disrupt our education programme," is how the UNRWA spokesman responded. Nothing noted on the UNRWA website, compared to the condemnation of Israeli military activities in an UNRWA school during August this year.

On the 8 of November Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has deplored a rocket attack against Israel that was launched from a school in the Gaza Strip run by the United Nations agency tasked with assisting Palestinian refugees. UNRWA have been asked to to conduct a full investigation of the incident. In the same instance the UN made a point that the school had been evacuated at the time of the rocket attack to ensure the safety of both the staff and the pupils during an Israeli military incursion. Palestinian militants entered the school while it was empty and then fired rockets from the compound. I guess that makes it OK?!?

Tunnels of Gaza

From the US border with Mexico to the frontier between the European continent with north Africa, everywhere in the world where you find a border you'll find networks of smugglers, if for drugs, people trafficking or weapons. You may ask, whats new? Well in Gaza tunnels have a use beyond smuggling. In Gaza tunnels serve as another opportunity to carry out terrorist attacks.

The Israeli military carried out a military operation this week in the south of the Gaza strip on the border with Egypt. The Israelis reported that they discovered seven weapons-smuggling tunnels in the southern Strip along the Egyptian border on Thursday. One of the tunnels was reported to be a kilometer-long tunnels were discovered near Dahiniye by an elite Engineering Corps unit and troops from the Golani brigade . The tunnels were found within two kilometers of the border with Israel and, according to the IDF, had been used intensively in recent months to smuggle weapons and explosives from Egypt into Gaza.
The troops destroyed the tunnels in controlled explosions. IDF sources said they had been large enough for people to pass through and were most probably used by terrorists to leave Gaza on their way to Iran or Syria for training. The Washington Times quoted the head of the Israeli intelligence agency, "Shin Bet, Youval Diskin, that since June terrorist factions have smuggled in to Gaza more than 70 tons of explosives from Egypt, bringing the total in its possession to 112 tons.

For more see Al Jazeera english edition

Rockets from a UN School in Gaza

The Israeli military released a surveillance video taken on October 29 th in the North Gazan town of Beit Hanun. In the video 2 Palestinians are sighted launching multipule mortar rockets from an elementary boys school. UN sources have confirmed that this is in fact a UN school for the refugee agency (UNRWA). During October over 250 Kassam rockets and mortars were launched against Israel.

Inside Hamas - brought to you by the Guardian

Back after a long break from the world of blog, came over this story published yesterday on the Guardian web site. It illustrates that in the Hamas narrative Israel does not have a right of independent existence.

Inside Hamas Last month in a safe house in Gaza City, Clancy Chassay had dinner with two senior Hamas leaders - and was a rare western witness to a debate on the issues that divide the Palestinian organisation

Friday October 26, 2007

In the long shadows of early dusk, a large black Mercedes with blacked-out windows picked me up from my hotel and whisked me through Gaza City's dusty, sullied streets. The roads, strewn with rubbish, were largely empty: Gaza was preparing for an Israeli incursion and the routine was familiar.
Last month I was invited to attend iftar - the evening meal during Ramadan - with a senior Hamas leader in Gaza. I can't name him because I was invited only on condition of anonymity. His wife had prepared a feast at his home in southern Gaza, but following an Islamic Jihad strike on an Israeli military base earlier that week he had chosen to stay in Gaza City, where the new Hamas government is headquartered. There were reports that the Israeli army was planning a large incursion and intended to cut the strip in two, separating Rafah and the south from Gaza City and the north. This meant I had the opportunity to have dinner with Hamas, and witness an internal debate within the senior leadership that is rarely seen by outsiders, particularly those from the west.
Since its takeover of the Gaza strip in June after fierce fighting with Fatah, Hamas, which had been elected largely because of its militancy against Israel, had quietened its guns but was still taking the heat for any violence coming out of Gaza. A few days earlier in his office, the Hamas leader had heard a Fatah official in Ramallah on television goad Hamas for not sticking to its resistance mandate. Since Hamas' election victory in 2006, hostilities between the two Palestinian factions have worsened, culminating in the bloody "battle of Gaza" in June this year, in which more than 100 people were killed. "We want to keep our heads down," the leader had told me, "and try to get Gaza running properly. We don't need to give the Israelis more reasons to kill us."
There were reports of Israeli tanks massing at the northern and southern ends of the strip and the leader had called "his friend", an Israeli journalist in Israel. The exchange in Arabic and English was warm and surprisingly intimate. The leader put the phone down. "Well," he shrugged, "apparently they're too wrapped up in internal affairs and the Syrian incident [referring to an Israeli airstrike on a Syrian military site a week earlier] to engage in open confrontation with the resistance factions."
But three days later Israeli politicians were still calling for revenge against Hamas for the rocket attack and, fearing assassination, the leadership had gone underground. All senior figures were in hiding and many of Gaza's Hamas-run police stations had emptied in anticipation of rocket strikes. So the dinner was held in one of Gaza City's many safe houses.
We were greeted by a lean young fighter - the leader's son - and two others of a similar age who put their Kalashnikovs aside to tend to dinner. The leader and I, plus an Australian journalist, sat on the floor and his son brought out cutlery and glasses and a large plate of chicken and rice, hastily prepared by a nearby restaurant. His wife called to confirm he wasn't coming home for dinner.
As we sat around the large plate, tucking in with our spoons and hands, the conversation quickly turned to security. The leader talked about the difficulties of being a senior member of one of the most monitored organisations in the world: "It has got harder as the technologies have improved." He talked candidly about the movement's hidden leadership, operating alongside the public one: "They remain secret for as long as they can and when they're uncovered, then they become public. After that, what can we do?" And he expressed hope that next year's US elections might bring some shift in US policy: "I hope the new administration will bring less ideological men to the table," he said.
After washing down our dinner with 7-Up, we moved from the floor to the main sitting room, where the leader reflected on his early days with the group of friends that would later form Hamas. He described how many of the Hamas leaders as young men had been leftists and Arab nationalists in the heady days of Gamal Abdel Nasser, but after the defeat of 1967 and Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, many of the Palestinians had become disillusioned and began to look to the work of the Muslim Brotherhood.
This group of men, then part of a community of Palestinian intellectuals working and studying in Cairo, grew more and more convinced by the Muslim Brotherhood's dream of a Middle East governed by Islam, and the abolition of the colonial boundaries imposed by the Sykes-Picot agreement by which the Ottoman empire was divided up among the French and British after the first world war. "We were the first of the new generation of Islamists," he said. "We believed that Islamic revolution in a neighbouring country would come and a new Islamic state would help us liberate Palestine." He welcomed democracy. "If real democracy was applied tomorrow, the whole region would be governed by Islamists," he said.
As we spoke, the man's son and fellow fighters sat in the corner behind the small of the wall eating and chatting among themselves, walkie-talkies and Kalashnikovs nearby. "Things were very different then," said the leader, describing the west's fear of political Islam today. "Our convictions are the same but the perceptions have changed. In the 80s, Bin Laden and the mujahideen in Afghanistan [then fighting against the Soviet Union and its occupation of Afghanistan] were hailed by Reagan as great freedom fighters. They were received in Europe and America."
He recounted being with Sheikh Abdullah Azzam - a leader of the CIA-backed Afghan-Arab jihadists who had been a central influence in Bin Laden's early years and was assassinated in 1995 - at a public fundraiser in New Jersey one night in the 1980s, when they raised $250,000 for the mujahideen in Afghanistan.
The leader's son brought in syrupy pastries and a white fruit pulp. In the background the first Ramadan celebrations could be heard. Before long the slow clatter of fireworks had grown into an eruption of explosions. "I hate those things," he said, as they snapped and crackled in the background.
At that moment, there was a loud knock at the door. A second member of the leadership burst in, tailed by bodyguards, immaculate in his pristine white jellaba. We stood up to greet him.
Whereas our host took the more pragmatic line within Hamas, the new guest was more militant. Before long the conversation turned to Hamas's refusal to recognise Israel and then to the group's aim for the destruction of the Jewish state, or what they would describe as the replacement of Israel and the occupied territories with one democratic state for Jews, Muslims and Christians. These men understood the need for a two-state solution, but only as a stepping stone to one eventual state.
"Switzerland is the model," the pragmatist said with certainty. "They killed each other for 200 years and now they live together peacefully." Unwilling to accept the possibility of two states living side by side in peace, he insisted that binationalism in the entire area of Israel and Palestine was the only solution - "One state for two peoples." He outlined the Swiss experience, enthusing over the potential for a state made up of localised cantons of control where all citizens would hold a common passport but would have to respect the individual laws and governance of each canton. "We believe there is a historical precedent for friendship between Jews and Muslims. We can live together again."
At this, the other leader interrupted. "With all due respect to my friend, the Palestinian people will never accept it." As the hardliner talked, the moderate sifted through a bowl of Chinese crackers with a frown, picking out his favourite pieces. "We need a single democracy on our terms. The Jews can live as individuals in a Palestinian state protected by our laws," said the more militant leader.
The pragmatist defended his optimism. "This is just the culture - people have been raised on a different rhetoric - but if you explain it to the people, they will accept it." The hardliner retorted: "This land is not fit for two sides, the cantons will not work. Anyway, any such idea will collide with the Israeli mentality."
Watching this conflict within Hamas, it seemed clear that this fundamental difference in vision at the helm of the movement would return again and again. But despite their differences, both men seemed convinced that Israel as a Jewish-only state was in decline. Citing articles in the New Yorker, Foreign Affairs and the New York Review of Books, they described a growing debate about "post-Zionism" - a school of thought within Israel that believes that Zionism as an ideology has served its purpose and that the Jewish state should now move towards becoming a secular democracy. "Take Avraham Berg [a former speaker of the Israeli Knesset] for example," said the hardliner. "He's talking about post-Zionism and the fall of the Jewish state if it continues to be purely Jewish. And it is not just leftwing Israelis; it's now acceptable for people in the west to think about, and talk about, a world without Israel."
Echoing a conversation he had earlier in the week, the hardliner outlined his strategy for defeating Israel. "The Gaza withdrawal was a victory," he said. "For us, any withdrawal equals a retreat. The Israelis were forced to give up territory - there was a time when no one believed that could happen." He described how the wall, the gigantic separation barrier erected by the Israelis and the source of so much anguish for West Bank Palestinians and the besieged population of East Jerusalem, was also viewed as a success. "The wall was a limitation on the expansion of the Israeli state. For years the Israeli right had talked about a Greater Israel stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates. The wall has brought an end to that dream."
He said that Hamas is focusing on two aims: "To limit the expansion of Israeli territory, and to wear down the occupation by making it too expensive to continue. If we stay on this course, in another 50 years we may have our land back."
When the time came for me to leave, the two men wished me a safe journey and urged me to come back."I hope we will see you again soon," said the hardliner. "If I am not martyred before then," he added with a smile. As the same Mercedes that had picked me up shuttled me back through the dark, empty streets to my hotel, I wondered if the threatened airstrikes might indeed claim his life before my next visit to Gaza.

Gloomy future for Gaza

Over the last couple of weeks I haven't been able to bring myself to write about the situation in Gaza. Not for the lack of news views or developments, just for the gloomy future brought on the region following Israeli Government decision on one hand and continuous Palestinian terrorist attacks on the other.

However I have overcome the tiredness and feel I need to update today. Here is the run down:

Closure of Gaza

Jews all over the world and in Israel specifically celebrated their high holy days, from the Jewish new year and till the last weekend over the last days of Sukkot (about 3 weeks long). During this period the Gaza Strip was generally sealed off to the world. The "Holiday Closure" is an annual event that assumes that terrorist factions will do their best to foil the festivities. In the past this has indeed happened (beginning with the Yom Kippur War and the lethal terrorist attack on the Park Hotel in Netanya that took place over Passover) so Israeli concerns are well found. The problem of course is that the holidays coincided with the cabinet decision on the 19 September, and the Gazans and the International community perceived the closure as part of the "new policy".

Israel throughout this time continued to carry out counterinsurgency operations and at least 20 Palestinian insurgents were killed since the 19 of September in various activities from the land and sky.

Take it to the Bank

Israeli "Bank Hapoalim" has decided to severe ties with the Gaza strip and there are rumors that Israeli bank notes will not be transferred in to the Gaza strip.

To be a Cristian in Gaza

The mostly quiet christian minority suffered a blow this morning when the director of the Bible Society library was kidnapped and later brutally stabbed to death. 26-year-old Rami Ayyad was recovered early Sunday morning near the Teachers' Bookshop in Gaza where he worked. Sources close to the society said that Hamas had abducted Ayyad because of his faith. This is not the first attack on the society, about 6 months ago unknown assailants blew up the library at that time nobody was hurt. In an environment of extremism and Islamic fundamentalism what hope does the community of 3000 Christians of Gaza have? One thing for certain they will need god on their side.

Iranian Influence

Today a Russian Katyusha rocket landed near the town of Netivot. These are the same type of rockets launched towards Israel in the summer of 2006 with the war against Hizbullah. They have the ability of reaching about 20 kilometers. Katyusha rockets are not locally manufactured, they are imported. The Popular Resistance (how romantic) Committee claimed responsibility for the launch. How these rockets reached Gaza if by route of the tens or hundreds of tunnels between Gaza and Egypt or by route of sea remains to be answered.

This weekend will begin the festival of Eid el Fiter that concludes the holy month of Ramadan although its supposed to be a time of happiness in Gaza there will most probably be a gloomy and sad atmosphere.

Gaza under Hamas - Palestinian Human Rights View of the Situation

I found this Letter to Hamas, would be govorner, Ismail Hania, published by the Director of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights. As we know the right to talk out in Gaza isn't to be taken for granted. We should therefore consider the self censorship done by Sourani in his letter. He paints a gloomy and sad picture. What is most sad is that only a minority of Palestinians are actually speeking out.

His Excellency Ismail Haniya
Prime Minister
Dismissed Palestinian Government
13 September 2007

Subject: Concern over some violations by members of the Executive Force and Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions.

Greetings on the occasion of the Blessed Month of Ramadan, may Allah return it to us with our wounds healed, our national unity restored, and our land liberated.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights sends you its warmest greetings, and highly values your continuous efforts to manage the Gaza Strip despite the difficult circumstances and the deep political crisis storming the Palestinian Authority and threatening to destroy the national struggle. The split in the Executive authority has resulted in a split in the Legislative authority and paralysis in the judicial authority.

We preferred sending you this legal document out of appreciation for your previously expressed position and commitment to respect and protect human rights. And in the spirit of candidness and preserving public interests, and stemming from our work as an independent professional organization dedicated to protecting human rights and promoting rule of law, we hereby present you with a number of violations that have been repeated by members of the Executive Force and Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions. And we are certain that you will not preserve any effort to remedy these violations, and will take the necessary steps to put an end to them and hold those responsible accountable to their deeds.

I- Violations of freedom of expression and journalism rights:
The Clashes in June witnessed many attacks by both sides of the conflict (Fatah, Hamas, their military branches and affiliated security services) on media outlets in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Despite the severity of these attacks, we had hoped for a new chapter in the Gaza Strip after the end of military operations between both sides. We had hoped that your statements and directives to protect freedom of expression and journalism rights would be translated on the ground.
However, we are greatly concerned in this regard due to the negative conduct by responsible parties. The latest attack targeted at least 14 journalists on 7 September 2007 as they were covering the attacks of the Executive Force on civilians who attempted to conduct prayers in public areas. Prior to this date, the Executive Force perpetrated similar attacks on 25 August 2007 on a number of journalists covering a Fatah demonstration in Gaza.
The Centre also documented other attacks including: attack on journalists and the Arabiya Satellite Station office in Gaza on 13 August 2007; continued ban on Palestinian TV broadcast from Gaza, and the prevention of broadcasting one of its programs from Ramattan Studios on 1 August 2007. Obstructing the entry of newspapers issued in the West Bank and detaining their distributors on 30 July 2007; the attack on 3 journalists covering a demonstration by national parties in Khan Yunis on 12 July 2007 and forcing them to erase photos and photage prior to their release.
PCHR stresses the importance of redoubling efforts and giving clear instructions to the Executive Force to respect and protect freedom of expression and journalism rights, which are basic human rights that are protected by the Palestinian Basic Law.

II- Violations against participants in prayers in public areas:
For the third consecutive week, PCHR has documented attacks by the Executive Force and occasionally Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions on dozens of civilians for responding to calls by Fatah and other PLO factions to perform Friday Prayers in public areas. These attacks included the use of force, including gunshots, beating, and other forms of inhumane treatment, to prevent civilians from reaching public areas designated for prayers. They were dispersed by force despite the peaceful nature of these activities. In addition, tens of civilians were detained; and they were beaten and abused during detention.
PCHR strongly condemns the Executive Force for forcefully preventing civilians from performing prayers in public areas in the Gaza Strip. In addition, the Centre strongly condemns the detentions and arrests by the Executive Force, led by the detention of Dr. Zakaria El-Agha (member of the PLO Executive Committee), Ibrahim Abu El-Naja (president of the National Follow up Committee of National and Islamic Parties), and other Fatah and PLO officials.
The Centre calls upon the dismissed government to rescind its position banning prayers in public areas; and affirms people’s full and legitimate right to do so and to organize peaceful demonstrations as a means of expression and protest protected by the Basic Law and international human rights conventions.

III- Restrictions on the right to assembly:
Preventing prayers in public areas is only one violation of the right to peaceful assembly. PCHR documented several cases in which the Executive Force dispersed peaceful assemblies by force. This is a violation of the right to peaceful assembly, which is a basic right protected by the Amended Basic Law of 2003 and the Public Assemblies Law of 1998.
These violations were furthered by the decision of the Executive Force on 13 August 2007 stating: “Stemming from the public interest, and in order to preserve security, and relying on the rule of law, it is forbidden to go out in any demonstration without official permission from the Executive Force.” This decision is a reminder of an announcement on 29 February 2000 by the then Director-General of the Palestinian Police, General Ghazi Jabali, to prevent any public assemblies without his prior permission. The Centre condemned Jabali’s decision and considered it a violation of the spirit and text of the public assemblies law.

After the Force’s decision, PCHR documented at least 2 attacks on peaceful assembly by the Executive Force:
1- Dispersing a peaceful assembly in the center of Gaza City organized by PLO factions on 13 August 2007.
2- Dispersing a peaceful demonstration by Fatah activists in Gaza City on 24 August 2007.

PCHR is extremely concerned by the decision and practices of the Executive Force, and calls for rescinding the decision. The Centre affirms that law-enforcement parties do not have any legal authority to license or ban peaceful demonstrations or any other form of peaceful assembly. The law states that law-enforcement parties should be “notified” of any such activity; and that the police can put limitations on the duration and route of the activity to “organize traffic.”

IV- Continuation of illegal arrests:
PCHR expressed relief at the release of a number of persons who were illegally detained. However, the Centre is concerned over the illegal detention of several individuals by the Executive Force. According to our information, there are several detainees held for more than a month without regard for legal regulations. The Centre renews its call to respect legal regulations of detention operations, and to ensure that detainees enjoy their right of legal representation through a lawyer, and to ensure family visits.

V- Torture and other forms of cruel and inhumane treatment:
PCHR has documented many cases in which civilians were subjected to torture and other forms of cruel and inhumane treatment during detention and questioning by the Executive Force. Many of them complained that they were treated with vindictiveness due to their status as activists or members of Fatah. Torture was perpetrated in police stations and Executive Force compounds throughout the Gaza Strip, especially in the North, Khan Yunis, and Rafah.
We would like to remind that torture is outlawed by Palestinian Law and by international human rights standards. It is a crime that does not fall by seniority; and its perpetrators must be prosecuted.

VI- Illegal functions of Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions:
PCHR has documented several cases in which Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions acted as a police force, which constitutes a flagrant violation that must be addressed. One of the leading violations is the establishment of several detention centers administered by El-Qassam Battalions, in which civilians are detained, interrogated, and subjected to torture and other forms of cruel and inhumane treatment. More worrisome is the fact that the Executive Force delivers some of its detainees to El-Qassam Battalions, and holds them in the latter’s detention centers.
The Centre has condemned these illegal actions, which have resulted in the death of a detainee in El-Mashtal detention center northwest of Gaza City. PCHR renews the call to stop these illegal functions.

VII- Excessive use of force and threatening personal safety of civilians:
PCHR has documented several cases in which armed force was used excessively during Executive Force operations, resulting in the death and injury of several civilians, including children and women. Despite our understanding of the Executive Force’s mandate to establish order, especially in the absence of a civilian police force, we affirm the importance of issuing clear instructions that regulate the use of force, including firearms, in accordance with relevant international standards.

VIII- Violations against civil society organizations:
PCHR has documented tens of attacks on civil society organizations in the Gaza Strip and West Bank during the recent clashes and afterwards. These include attacks on media organizations, charitable organizations, labor unions, and others. The Centre has strongly condemned these attacks and called for neutralizing civil society organizations from the conflict, to protect them, and to respect their independence. One of the most notable organizations that continues to come under attack is the Palestinian General Federation of Labor Unions. The Executive Force and El-Qassam Battalions took over the offices of the Federation on 13 June 2007. Instead of heeding our calls to evacuate the offices and deliver them to the Federation administration, the attacks expanded to include Federation branches in the Gaza Strip and a Federation kindergarten in the northern Gaza Strip.
The Centre renews the call to evacuate the Executive Force from the headquarters of the Federation, and to deliver it and all branches to the Federation administration to resume work for the benefit of laborers. PCHR affirms that the right to establish unions, associations, federations, coalitions, clubs, and public institutions is a constitutional law protected by the Palestinian Basic Law.

IX- Detention of the Attorney-General, attack on his office, and stopping him from performing his duties:
Since the start of the recent clashes, PCHR has regularly demanded to neutralize the Attorney-General’s Office from the power struggle between Fatah and Hamas. The Centre demanded that the AG and his assistants return to work in the Gaza Strip to preserve public interest.
We were surprised by the decision of Dr. Yusef El-Mansi, the Justice Minister in the dismissed government, to suspend the AG from work claiming that his appointment was not conducted according to legal requirements. PCHR affirms that the AG was and is performing his functions according to the law; and that the Justice Minister is not authorized to infringe on the AG’s jurisdiction or person. The Minister’s decision is a serious violation of the judicial system, and hinders justice. Continuing illegal measures against the AG, and in a flagrant violation of the AG’s person and immunity, the Executive Force raided the AG’s office on 16 August 2007 and assaulted the AG and detained him and his assistants.
PCHR strongly condemns these attacks and calls for prosecuting the perpetrators. The Centre renews the call to the dismissed government and its Justice Minister to rescind its illegal decision to suspend the AG, and to take serious steps to preserve the impunity and status of the AG and his assistants.

X- Absence of Ombudsman or Complaint Address:
In light of these violations and attacks, we continue to face a serious problem as a human rights organization in the area of official contacts regarding legal issues (e.g. complaints on behalf of victims). Although we are aware that accessing the political leadership is relatively easy through direct correspondence with the Prime Minister, we hope that you will designate a party that is legally authorized to handle legal issues.

Mr. Prime Minister,
We appreciate your efforts and commitment to respect and protect human rights and public freedoms. However, these face difficult challenges on the field. And we think that these challenges must be addressed immediately in a manner that reflects your commitments and answer our concerns as a human rights organization. We think that it is extremely important to maintain the delicate balance between the need to impose public order and security and the need to protect and respect human rights. We are certain that you will not preserve any effort to remedy these violations; and that you will take the necessary steps to put and end to them and to hold the responsible parties accountable to their deeds in a clear, transparent, and public manner.

Sincerely,
Raji Sourani
Director,
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Inside Story - 'Enemy' Gaza - 20 Sept 07 - Part 2

Al Gazeera intresting report

Gaza the "hostile territory" a prelude to war

The Biggest Strategic Decision since 2005

The Israeli cabinet declared this week in a unanimous vote that Gaza is now an "enemy entity". What does this mean for Israel in a wider strategic view? What implications will it have for the rest of the region? The Jerusalem Post, Israeli English daily, pointed out today that this decision is intended to complete the Israeli disengagement plan that was implemented in the summer of 2005. Two years later, the Gaza strip has proven to be more trouble, more fanatic and overrun by Islamic radicals.

The decision of the cabinet that points out that there will be continued military and counter-terrorist operations against the terrorist organizations and additional sanctions will be placed on the Hamas regime in order to restrict the passage of various goods to the Gaza Strip and reduce the supply of fuel and electricity. Restrictions will also be placed on the movement of people to and from the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian Unity

Throughout history economical sanctions have rarely been enough to change a political situation, in the case of Hamas in Gaza, various international serving in the region and nonaligned Palestinians predict that the Israeli plan will bring Palestinian factions that have been deeply divided since June. Mahmoud Abbas and other Fatah leaders have deplored the decision by saying that the decision is an oppressive decision that will only tighten the stifling embargo imposed on 1.5 million people in the Gaza Strip and by doing so will only increase their suffering and magnify their tragedy. Seems like Fatah, while tiptoeing around the issue are continuing to send mixed messages. Instead of clearly calling on the silent Palestinian majority to refrain from violence, and blaming Hamas publicly (like any rival politician would do) for the strife on the Palestinians of Gaza. Hamas have called the decree a declaration of war. Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas in Gaza called it an attempt to starve the Palestinian people and force them to accept humiliating formulas. On Sunday there were even reports in the Palestinian press that the Hamas leadership were have internal problems and differences. The distance between the two voices sound semantic to me. So Israel will ultimately face a united Palestinian front, violence will most probably spill over to the West Bank, and indeed an ongoing counter terrorist operation took place this week in a West Bank refugee camp, near the city of Nablus.

Now that Israel has "declared war", Hamas has legitimacy (like it needed it beforehand) to continue to launch rockets in to the surrounding towns of the Gaza Strip.

The Jerusalem post points out today that the intention is to reroute all civilian activities to Gaza via Egypt, including assistance delivered by the vast international community UN bodies, EU, USAID, the Red Cross and all the other do gooders of the world. I am certain that Egypt won't be too happy about the Israeli attempt. And, as expected, on Wednesday the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Abul Gheit, rejected the Israeli cabinet's decision concerning his worries for the collective punishment on all the innocent civilian residents of the Gaza Strip. Egypt now realising the need for a more severe dealing with arms smugglers on the border between the Sinai peninsula and the 12 km border with Rafah.

The cards come tumbling down

Following the June Hamas uprising in Gaza and since then the Arab community have refrained from supporting Hamas. Both the Saudi Arabian and Egyptian governments even denied entry recently to Khaled Mashaal, exiled Hamas leader residing in Damascus, saying the Islamist faction Hamas must first reverse its coup in Gaza. But since Thursday, Arab and Islamic countries have condemned Israel for declaring the Gaza Strip an "enemy entity". In speeches to the United Nations Human Rights Council, delegates from the Middle East and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) said the humanitarian situation in the occupied territories had deteriorated and would worsen further if Israel cut fuel and electricity to Gaza's 1.5 million people. Pakistan's ambassador Masood Khan, speaking on behalf of the OIC, said that the deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation in Gaza claiming that the Palestinians face military incursions, extra-judicial and targeted assassinations, restrictions on movement and demolition of houses and infrastructure. The OIC, a 57-nation alliance representing 1.3 billion Muslims, the organization called on Israel to reverse its decision to interrupt basic services in Gaza, of course claiming that it would violate international law.

On the Western Front

The cabinet decision coincided with the visit of the American Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, and down tonning the expected November Peace? summit. Although Rice pointed out that the United States views Hamas a terrorist organization. The US has no intention to abandon the innocent Palestinians in Gaza, and are planning to deal with the humanitarian needs of the Gazans. More importantly the US views Gaza and the West Bank as "constituent entities of the to-be Palestinian state". This being the most important part of the statement, due to the face that Israels intentions to channel Gaza to the south have not been approved by the US patron. And as expected UN, and EU were quick to follow suit and deplore the Israeli decision. Even the usually silent Red Cross raised their concerns publicly. Human Rights Organizations have also already started to bash Israel claiming that it is contradictory to International Humanitarian Law. So it seems that Israel will be even more under international diplomatic and media pressure. Usually Israel has not been very successful in withstanding ongoing pressure.

Where is it all leading?

Well for Gaza, the direction is clearer than ever, south means outside influences like Iran and Al-Qaeda. Both are involved today in the Strip, and are motivated for their own reasons. Israel will therefore continue to be a threshold for the global jihad movement. For the the other Palestinian state, West Bank, it will most certainly give the radicals reason to act and implement terrorist activities against Israeli targets whether settler or targets within the green line. Israel in turn will deepen its control over movement, causing international criticism.

The International community will be forced to deepen involvement in Gaza for the "innocent civilians", this will most undoubtedly lead to engagement of Hamas, especially of Scandinavian countries like Norway, maybe even Great Britain whom voiced the need to engage Hamas. Even Tony Blair's aids have been quoted on this issue, even before the Israli decision.

For moderate Arab countries in the middle east this will most definitely be a warning light for them, Muslim Brotherhood already have their eyes on government in Egypt, and the Jordanian monarchy seems to be extremely unstable, the fundamentalists in both will defiantly gain motivation from Hamas and its ability to over through the infidels. In a reality where Egypt and Jordan are under pressure from Internal Islamic factions they will, in order to overcome the threat of being toppled, have to radicalise their views and narrative.

Ultimately Israel will bend to the International pressure and all the other messages sent to the outside world will weaken Israel, Abu Mazen, Egypt and Jordan, leaving the radical voice ringing out loud. These economical sanctions will most probably also be the prelude to an Israeli invasion in to Gaza considering the fact that the Hamas geurilla organization is not accountable to the population in the Strip.

Hamas says "bring em on" in Gaza

Hamas held military like maneuvers in northern Gaza Strip on Friday, hoping to send a warning message to Israel. Hamas reiterated its promise to abduct more Israeli soldiers to keep Gilad Shalit company, if and when Israel decides to invade the extreme Islamic controlled coastal strip. The militants carried out the training procedures that included close contact with live fire and rocket propelled grenades (RPG) at makeshift targets. Despite this, since Thursday Israeli military and air force have carried out numerous attacks against terrorist targets. On Thursday, an aircraft fired a missile at a car in the Jebaliah refugee camp in the north of the strip. Two members of the violent Islamic Jihad group were injured. Friday morning brought a ground assault and "counter terrorist" operation in the South of the strip. Finally, today the IDF carried out a further operation in the northern town of Beit Hanoun. While during some of the activities Israeli forces were confronted with some resistance by terrorist gunmen, none were substantial. Hamas has yet to stand up to the IDF with an organized offensive. Such an act would send a clearer message than the sporadic RPGs and lip service. It is bound to happen eventually and in such a case Hamas could loose their advantage as a guerrilla organization. Hamas would most definitely find itself attacked on all fronts, inside the Gaza Strip and in Damascus, leadership and ground operatives. While today Hamas are building their military capabilities and supplies, they are yet to be a formidable military force but they are indeed able to be a thorn in Israels side thats growing day by day.

Strike a Pose II - in Gaza

The Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) an armed terrorist group in Gaza have issued a death threat against super star Madonna and ex-con Britney Spears. Madonna is visiting Israel for a Kaballah convention over the Jewish New Year. All I can say about this is its good to be "like a virgin".... they only want 72 ..... or maybe its one 72 year old virgin.... but who's counting?

Strike a pose in Gaza

This week has seen some major incidents within the Gaza Strip, and its relations with its neighbour Israel. The situation that has largely been overshadowed by the Israeli air force activities over Syrian skies. Here has what happened: First of all Sunday saw a widespread public strike, organized by Fatah in response to the beating and arresting of Fatah supporters on last Fridays prayers gone demonstration. After that another bout of discussions between West Bank President and Israeli premier, also Tony Blair carried out meetings promising a better future for Palestinians and Israeli's. Both talked about Gaza but neither have the power to change anything without engaging Hamas. And despite ongoing attempts to open an internal dialogue Fatah seem to be holding their position that Hamas before any steps need to withdraw their forces and apologize for their activities (and that doesn't look like its about to happen). Sixty-nine soldiers were wounded on Tuesday morning when a Qassam rocket launched from the Gaza Strip hit an Israeli military base south of the coastal town Ashkelon. The rocket was launched at 1:30 am from the north of the Gaza Strip. Most of the soldiers hurt sustained shrapnel wounds. The rocket fell on an empty tent, which stood adjacent to other tents where the soldiers were sleeping. An alarm was heard seconds before the rocket fell. Most of the soldiers were asleep at the time of the blast. Two soldiers sustained critical injuries, while most of the others sustained moderate and light wounds. This was bound to happen eventually. This incident looked to begin with as the last straw but ultimately the Israeli Government decided not to act. The messages coming out from Jerusalem were to continue pressure on Gaza and divide and conquer and for the time being continue with pinpoint counter-terrorist ops. It seems that the Israeli government are waiting for a rocket to land on a kindergarten preparations for a full fledged military invasion seem to be underway, and unavoidable. In response Hamas, and its armed wing have declared that they will meet any Israeli invasion and that Gilad Shalit, the Israeli abducted corporal, will have some friends to keep him company. In a surprising declaration Hamas called today on all armed faction in Gaza to stop attacking the crossings especially during the holy month of Ramadan that begins today. The UN news service IRIN pointed out that attacks on the crossings have had a negative impact on the ability of the international aid agencies to supply their dependants with their rations. Happy holidays to Muslims and Jews alike.