What's Moral About Destitution?

I've started doing some voluntary English teaching again....as always ESOL classes are fully subscribed and the lists of people waiting to get the chance to learn are never ending. I've not been directly involved in Asylum "issues" since I started my new job....I'd almost forgotten how depressing the situation is.
The number of "failed asylum seekers" who are being made destitute and abandoned by mainstream services is reaching crisis point. The number of children being made destitute by our Government's policies are on the increase. The amazing Joseph Rowntree Trust have recently published a report on this found here.
An Iranian man who was a regular at the centre I'm volunteering at recently took "voluntary repatriation"- his experiences here being so difficult he decided to risk going back. He hasn't been seen or heard of since. It drives me insane with anger that for all the blather (good Yorkshire word!) we get from this Government about the human rights abuses in Iran and the undemocratic actions in Zimbabwe- these make up most of the people who are being forced either into return or destitution (ie no money, no right to work, no access to education, health care, housing or social services).
A friend of a friend who works for the Home Office recently told me that the reasons for sending certain nationalities back are often based on a political quota system. For example- with Zimbabweans, the government wanted the pressure of looking after refugees to fall squarely on the shoulders of other African countries- the theory being that this would push them towards pressuring Mugabe. As much as I am sickened by what's happened in Zimbabwe- I am even more sickened by my Govs. cynical use of vulnerable people's lives to make a political point. People who have experienced God only knows what being made destitute in one of the richest countries of the world.

Do something!

Oxfam's Poverty in the UK campaign.
Volunteer with the refugee council.
Student (and young people's) Action for Refugees
More info about people being forced into destitution.

Free Gaza Movement Announces Postal Service to Gaza

Date : 09-05-2008

In August 2008 the Free Gaza Movement shattered the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip by peacefully sailing from Cyprus to Gaza and back again. It was the first time in over forty years that international ships docked in Gaza Port, and the first time in over sixty years that Palestinians freely entered and exited their own country.

On September 22nd the Free Gaza Movement will return to Gaza to demonstrate that the sea lanes between Gaza and the rest of the world have been permanently opened, and we're going to take the mail with us!

Currently, all mail sent to Palestinians from abroad must first be delivered to Israel. Mail is regularly blocked by Israel and prevented from being delivered to the people of Gaza. We believe that the mail must go through, so we're going to take it in ourselves. The Free Gaza Movement is announcing two programs for delivering mail to Gaza: Family & Friends, and Letters from the World.

FAMILY & FRIENDS PROGRAM If you have family or friends in Gaza and would like to send them a letter, then please place the letter in an unsealed envelope, and address the envelope in both Arabic and English. Place this envelope in a larger envelope and mail it to:

Family & Friends Mail to Gaza

Free Gaza Movement

P.O. Box 5341 Beverly Hills,

CA 90209-5341

USA

Please DO NOT send money, checks, packages, or valuable items. We CANNOT accept money, valuables, or packages - only letters.

LETTERS FROM THE WORLD PROGRAM If you do not know anyone in Gaza, but would like to get to know someone, we want to help you try and find a pen pal. This program is available to people of all ages and from all places in the world. We would especially like to encourage schools to participate in the Letters from the World Program. Place your letter in an unsealed envelope, and address the envelope to the type of person you would like it to be delivered to (for example: "For an 8-year-old girl," or "For a male high school student," "For a teacher," "For a fishermen," etc...). Please include your email address if possible. Place the envelope in a larger envelope and mail it to:

Letters from the World

Free Gaza Movement

P.O. Box 5341

Beverly Hills, CA 90209-5341

USA

Belated In Memoriam for Mahmoud Darwish

I wasn't going to write anything to mark the passing of yet another great Palestinian thinker..how could I put into words the enormity of his passing? I keep coming back to it though, his poetry being such a regular part of my life. Aside from his story being such a quintessential Palestinian story- moving from country to country, constantly having to defend his identity- his words held such power, I can't imagine what a future without his honest commentary will be like. He had the ability to cut to the heart- to distill into words the pure anger of living with injustice or verses of such delicate beauty they take my breath away.
I've posted his words on this blog before- infact the post that is looked at most often is one of his poems- Lessons from the Karma Sutra. I'm pretty sure that browsers aren't expecting a piece of poetry when they navigate to that post- I like to think i'm introducing a few more people to the genius that is Darwish.

Ummi (My Mother) By Mahmoud Darwish

I long for my mother's bread

My mother's coffee

Her touch

Childhood memories grow up in me

Day after day

I must be worth my life

At the hour of my death

Worth the tears of my mother

And if I come back one day

Take me as a veil to your eyelashes

Cover my bones with the grass

Blessed by your footsteps

Bind us together

with a lock of your hair

With a thread that trails from the back of your

dress

I might become immortal

Become a god

If I touch the depths of your heart

If I come back

Use me as wood to feed your fire

As the clothesline on the roof of your house

Without your blessing

I am too weak to stand

I am old

Give me back the star maps of childhood

So that I

Along with the swallows

Can chart the path

Back to your waiting nest

Lazy Blogger

It's aaaages since i last posted. In fact i've moved house TWICE in the meantime. I could ramble on about how stressful it all was but as, overall, the move has been a success and has resulted in general feelings of contentment, I won't.
Instead, i'll be a lazy blogger and post a list:

10 Things That Are on My Mind

1. Free Gaza broke the shameful blockade and reached Gaza, Huuuraaay!
2. One of the boats is attempting to leave Gaza tomorrow with several Gazan University students on board- I pray they manage to leave Gaza as safely as they arrived.
3. The Banana, walnut and date bread in the oven smells truely amazing.
3a. I forgot to put the dates in.
4. Work work work. In a good way.
5. I wonder what's in the box my mum and dad brought over for me today? I can't open it for another 20 days.
6. Will my new colleagues think i'm wierd if i decide to fast with them even though I'm not muslim?
7. Will family X from Algeria win thier asylum appeal? What will we all do if they don't?
8. I've started knitting a cardigan even though I'd decided to knit only small things, but the wool was a bargain so.....
9. Will it ever stop raining? Will my Lobelia survive the high winds? (This might count as two).
10. I want to go to Palestine for the olive harvest- www.palsolidarity.org - but can't take the time off work (as I've only just started). This will be the first harvest i've missed in 5 years. I miss the smell of Beit Lahem, the sounds of Al Quds, the welcome of Nablus and the mountains around Al Walajeh.

Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations

Weekly report on Israeli human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
29 May - 04 Jun 2008

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
- An elderly Palestinian woman was killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip.
- A Palestinian civilian died from previous injuries.
- 12 Palestinians, including 8 civilians, were wounded by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
- IOF conducted 33 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 5 into the Gaza Strip.
- IOF razed 295 donums(1) of agricultural in the northern and southern Gaza Strip.
- IOF completely demolished one house, and partially demolished five others in the southern Gaza Strip.
- IOF arrested 43 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, in the West Bank, and detained 11 others in the Gaza Strip.
- IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT.
- IOF have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world.
- 2 Palestinian civilians were arrested by IOF at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
- IOF have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attacks Palestinian civilians and property.
- Ehud Olmert gave a green line for the construction of 884 housing units for settlers in Occupied East Jerusalem.

PCHR Weekly Report: 29 Palestinians killed, 89 wounded in Israeli attacks

According to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR)'s Weekly Report, during the week of 10 - 16 April 2008, 29 Palestinians, including 10 children and a journalist, were killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. 13 of the victims, including 8 children, 2 brothers and a journalist, were killed in an Israeli missile strike on Juhor al-Dik village in the central Gaza Strip. 2 of the victims were extra-judicially executed by Israeli forces.
In addition, 81 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 41 children, 3 women and a journalist, were wounded by Israeli forces in Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. 8 Palestinian civilians and an Israeli journalist were wounded by Israeli forces in the West Bank.
Israeli attacks in the West Bank:
Israeli forces conducted 48 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank this week. During those incursions, Israeli forces abducted 52 Palestinian civilians, including 14 children. 5 Palestinian civilians were abducted by Israeli forces at military checkpoints in the West Bank.
In the West Bank, 8 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were wounded by Israeli forces in Taffouh village, west of Hebron, and ‘Azzoun ‘Atama village, south of Qalqilya.
Additionally, an Israeli journalist was wounded when Israeli forces used force to disperse a peaceful demonstration organized in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bil'in village, west of Ramallah.
Israeli forces confiscated machinery of a bakery and raided a mosque in Hebron.
Contrary to Israeli claims of easing restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians, Israeli forces have continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied access to Jerusalem. Israeli forces have established many checkpoints around and inside the city.
Israeli Annexation Wall:
Israeli forces have continued this week to construct the Annexation Wall on illegally seized Palestinian land. In addition, Israeli forces attacked peaceful protests that were held at Wall construction sites.
On 11 April 2008, scores of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders demonstrated in al-Ma’sara village, south of Bethlehem. The demonstrators moved towards Palestinian land which Israeli forces intend to confiscate. Israeli troops placed barbwire near the land to prevent the demonstrators from moving forward. They also violently beat a number of demonstrators. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child, sustained bruises throughout their bodies: Ahmed Mahmoud Taqatqa, 28; Mohammed Yousef Burjiya, 18. and Zaid ‘Eissa Zawahra, 10.
Israeli settlement activities:
Israeli settlers have continued to attacks Palestinian civilians and property. On 12 April 2008, Israeli forces handed notifications to 3 Palestinians from Nazlat ‘Eissa village, north of Tulkarm, that their shops would be demolished, claiming that they were built without licenses and are located near the Annexation Wall. These shops provide sources of income for more than 20 families counting more than 100 individuals.
On 13 April 2008, dozens of Israeli settlers from “Gilad” settlement, east of Qalaqila, gathered near the road leading to the town and threw stones at Palestinian civilian vehicles. A number of vehicles were damaged. On 14 April 2008, dozens of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling on Nablus-Ramallah road, south of Nablus. The settlers gathered near Hawara checkpoint and threw stones at civilian vehicles. On the same day, at least 40 Israeli settlers from “Gilad” settlement, southwest of Nablus, uprooted at least 30 almond trees in Til village.
Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:
During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed 29 Palestinians, including 10 children and a journalist, and wounded 81 others, including 41 children, 3 women and a journalist in the Gaza Strip.
On 11 April 2008, Israeli forces killed 2 activists of the Palestinian resistance in Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis. On the same day, Israeli forces killed an activist of the Palestinian resistance and 6 civilians, including 2 children, and wounded 27 others, including 12 children, in al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.
On 14 and 15 April 2008, Israeli forces extra-judicially executed 2 members of the Palestinian resistance and wounded a third one and 5 civilians bystanders, including a child, in the northern Gaza Strip.
On 15 April 2008, 4 activists of the Palestinian resistance were killed and 4 others were wounded during armed clashes with Israeli troops that moved into al-Shoja’eya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.
On 16 April 2008, Israeli forces killed 13 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children and a journalist, and wounded 32 others, including 17 children, a journalist and a woman, during an incursion into Juhor al-Dik village in the central Gaza Strip. On the same day, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian farmer and wounded 2 others in the northern Gaza Strip. Additionally, 12 Palestinians, including a child and 2 women, were wounded by Israeli forces in separate attacks throughout the Gaza Strip.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conducted 6 incursions into Palestinian communities. During these incursions, Israeli forces razed at least 320 donums of agricultural land, destroyed 11 houses and damaged civilian properties, including a mosque.
Recommendations to the International Community:
Due to the number and severity of Israeli violations this week, the PCHR made a number of recommendations to the international community. Among these recommendations were that the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war crimes.
In addition, PCHR calls for the immediately implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal. PCHR recommends international civil society organizations, including human rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs to participate in the process of exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and to urge their governments to bring these people to justice.
For the full report, click on the link below:
http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/W_report/English/2008/17-04-2008.htm

Family Trouble

I didn't post in Feb/March, my actual life became far too hectic to have a virtual life as well. My Gran, in her early 90's, suffered a series of small strokes and over a couple of weeks the woman i had known disappeared. The care of her family is now not enough- she needs constant medical attention and lives in a world of talking squirrels, princesses, airmen, bombing raids.


Since my early teens we as a family have cared for her- looked after her accounts, done her shopping and gardening, read her letters if they looked in anyway "official" or "financial", been her only visitors. She didn't need looking after to such as degree, but after my Grandfather died she seemed to give up. She couldn't cope with the real world and retreated into the home they had shared, reading books, watching TV and cooking.


As a child I spent hours with her in the kitchen and developed my love of baking there- insisting on rubbing the butter into the flour, whisking the custard, mashing the potatoes. Infact, the hotter the food stuff and higher the risk of serious burns the more I wanted to do it. She was the woman who made me heavy english comfort food- potato pie, apple pie, stew and dumplings- and occasionally fed me illicit meat products..."would you like some ham? I'll slice it really thinly...?". She never really approved of or got my parents' vegetarianism.




Anyway- in the midst of my man trouble I came across this poem that made me think of her and the situation she created for herself:




Sonnet II




Time does not bring relief; you all have lied


Who told me time would ease me of my pain!


I miss him in the weeping of the rain;


I want him in the shrinking of the tide;


The old snows melt from every mountainside,


And last year's leaves are smoke in every lane;


But last year's bitter loving must remain


Heaped on my heart, and my old thoughts abide!


There are a hundred places where I fear


To go, -so with his memory they brim!


And entering with relief some quiet place


Where never fell his foot or shone his face


I say, "There is no memory of him here!"


And so stand stricken, so remembering him.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay

Man trouble

Words, Wide Night

Somewhere on the other side of this wide night
and the distance between us, I am thinking of you.
The room is turning slowly away from the moon.

This is pleasurable. Or shall I cross that out and say
it is sad? In one of the tenses I singing
an impossible song of desire that you cannot hear.

La lala la. See? I close my eyes and imagine
the dark hills I would have to cross
to reach you. For I am in love with you and this

is what it is like or what it is like in words.

By Carol Ann Duffy

The First Day

I wish I could remember the first day,

first hour, first moment of your meeting me,

If bright or dim the season it might be

Summer or winter for aught I can say.

So unrecorded did it slip away,

So blind was I to see and forsee,

So dull to mark the budding of my tree

That would not blossom yet for many a May.

If only I could recollect it, such

A day of days! I let it come and go

As traceless as a thaw of byegone snow;

It seemed to mean so little, meant so much;

If only now I could recall that touch,

First touch of hand in hand- Did one but know!

By Christina G. Rossetti

I Survived Lent

And feel a little foolish- how soft am I? Giving up coffee for 40 days and nights felt like a real hardship. The first week and a half I was dealing with caffeine with-drawl so I’ll allow my self that. But really! Even after the craving, itching need for strong coffee had passed, I still missed it. I missed the thick, sugary hit first thing in the morning. I missed the ritual of coming downstairs at the weekend and methodically making a pot of coffee. I missed my house smelling of coffee. I missed drinking coffee with friends in cafes and bars. I missed grinding coffee with cardamom and boiling up into a syrup like drink. Ahhh what a relief Easter weekend was. Easter has never really meant huge amounts to me, I’ve always thought that the Church kinda missed the point of Jesus by focusing on his horrific death and supposed “resurrection”. Wasn’t his message a little more important? Anyway this year was slightly different- I was sooo excited on Easter morning and was salivating as I made that first cup. It didn’t disappoint! Unlike the church sermon an hour or so later. The vicar at my mother’s village church didn’t repeat his anti-war sermon of Christmas Eve but grumbled about “the message” being lost amongst isles and isles of brightly covered chocolate eggs. So here’s part of the message, in my new bible-quote-of-the-week:
"As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church." (I Corinthians 14:34-35)
The bible is full of these illuminating statements about “unclean” and “headstrong” women…I wonder if my dad realised this when he rejected Christianity and then gained a wife and two daughters?

Lent 2008: Watch Out World I'm Giving Up Coffee...

The 40 day period of “Lent” begins this coming Wednesday. Lent marks the period Jesus spent in the desert resisting every temptation thrown at him by the devil. During this period leading up to the Easter celebrations many Christians fast in some way- the fasting is supposed to be a penance for our sins and when combined with prayer and acts of charity, to prepare us for the commemoration of the crucifixion and resurrection.
Different Christian denominations have different fasting traditions including:

*Fast during the day except for bread and water, take modest evening meal.
*No meat or fish on Fridays.
*No meat of fish for the full 40 days.
*Giving something meaningful up on Fridays (usually meat, cigarettes or alcohol).
*As above for the full 40 days.
*Giving something meaningful up for a month.
*We all seem to agree that we get Sundays off.

How confusing.
I grew up in a house with an athiest father and a liberal christian mother, consequently, as a child lent didn't really mean much to me and certainly not as much as the chocolate eggs I received at the end of it. In more recent years I decided to give myself the label of “Unitarian Christian”- although Unitarian churches and congregations have failed to inspire me- my closest Unitarian church doesn't pay much heed to Lent or other such traditions.
As I haven't grown up in a particular tradition I struggle to make up my mind as to which one speaks to me most. I've fasted fully when I've been in Palestine during Ramadan- but for no more than 11 days. It was hard, but the evening celebrations and collective dedication made it easier and gave it a spiritual significance that Lent has lost here in the UK. Anyway, this year Lent has a slightly added significance- I am closely examining my spiritual life and trying to decide whether I can truly call myself a Chrsitian or not. I also want a reminder of how privileged I am, of how friends of mine, particularly in Occupied Palestine, are unable to take food, heat or safety for granted. When I was in the Palestine last year I regularly had to do without things because of the situation. For a few weeks over winter the Israelis had limited the amount of gas coming into the West Bank. We had to limit our use of heaters so we could continue to cook and heat water for washing. I've never before experienced such penetrating cold and the physical and psycological effects that come with it- when you have to work so hard to stay warm and feed yourself and those around you it leaves you with little energy for anything else.
I never want to forget this experience- although I don't come from an affluent family non of us have had to do without such basics and in our society of sickening consumption very few of us can even imagine what it is like. So after much thought I've decided that I will give up coffee and meat/fish for 40 days, excluding Sundays. I don't eat much meat so that in itself isn't really challenging myself. Coffee, however, is my life blood and thought of not having any to help me through my day at work is a worrying one. We'll see how I get on- I'm guessing that Sundays will be spent bathing in espresso and adding freshly ground coffee to my meals like salt....

RIP Dr Habash

Dr. George Habash, one of 750,000 refugees from 1947-48:

"... Jewish fighters stormed the house, screaming "Out! Out! Get out!" My mother and my sister's children - including a small child we had to carry - ran out, as did other relatives and neighbours. We had no idea where to go, but the Jewish soldiers ordered us to get moving. So we walked. It was a hot day in Ramadan. Some people around us were saying it was the Day of Judgement, others that we were already in Hell. When we reached the outskirts of town, we found a Jewish checkpoint where those leaving were being searched. We had no weapons. But our neighbour's son, Amin Hanhan, apparently had some money concealed on him and wouldn't let them search him. A Zionist soldier shot him dead right in front of our eyes. His mother and sister rushed to him, wailing. His brother, Bishara, had been in elementary school with me and we were friends. We used to study and play together ... You wonder why I have chosen this road, why I became an Arab nationalist. This is what Zionism is about. After all this, they talk about peace. This is the Zionism that I knew, that I saw with my own eyes." George Habashhttp://www.haloscan.com/comments/lenin/8108367474201115799/

Lesson from the Karma Sutra

From A Bed for a Stranger- Mahmoud Darwish

Wait for her with an azure cup.
Wait for her in the evening at the spring, among perfumed roses.
Wait for her with the patience of a horse trained for mountains.
Wait for her with the distinctive, aesthetic taste of a prince.
Wait for her with seven pillows of cloud.
Wait for her with strands of womanly incense wafting.
Wait for her with the manly scent of sandalwood on horseback.
Wait for her and do not rush.
If she arrives late, wait for her.
If she arrives early, wait for her.
Do not frighten the birds in her braided hair.
Wait for her to sit in a garden at the peak of its flowering.
Wait for her to lift her garment from her leg, cloud by cloud.
And wait for her.
Take her to the balcony to watch the moon drwoning in milk.
Wait for her and offer her water before wine.
Do not glance at the twin partridges sleeping on her chest.
Wait and gently touch her hand as she sets a cup on marble.
As if you are carrying the dew for her, wait.
Speak to her as a flute would to a frightened violin string,
as if you knew what tomorrow would bring.
Wait, and polish the night for her ring by ring.
Wait for her until Night speaks to you thus:
There is no one alive but the two of you.
So take her gently to the death you so desire,
and wait.

Non Violent Palestinian Activist Shot in Head

I just recieved this email from the International Solidarity Movement (ISM)- a Palestinian led organisation that facilitates the support of non violent resistance to the Isreaeli occupation by International activists. The video shows a common scene at Bil'in- retreating protestors being fired upon by Israeli teenagers. I couldn't help noticing that there weren't many foreigners at this demo- maybe if more had been there Abdullah wouldn't have been shot in the head.

If anyone is able to go and volunteer in Palestine with ISM or any of the similar organisations out there- please do so! Trust me- it's likely to be one of the most worthwhile things you will ever do.

Abdullah Abu Rahme from the Popular Committee of Bil'in was shot inthe head by a rubber-coated steel bullet yesterday at the weeklyBil'in demonstration. He is now recovering and can be reached at0547258210. You can watch the video here:


On Friday, January 11th, villagers of Bil'in were joined by Israeli, international, and other Palestinian Human Rights activistsin a protest against the Annexation Wall. In Bil'in, the wall is stealing more than 60% of village land, and even the Israeli SupremeCourt said in a recent decision that the route of the wall was notplanned for military reasons, but for land.In that September 4th Supreme Court decision, the Wall was ordered tobe taken down and the route redrawn. This was a court victory for thejoint non-violent struggle, but has yet to be reflected with facts onthe ground. The wall is still standing, and in fact recently settlersattempted to place new caravans on village land.The demonstration began as a march towards the gate in the Wall, wheresoldiers were standing with guns drawn. At the front of the march wasthe banner, "LEVIEV TURNS THESE ROCKS OF APARTHEID INTO DIAMONDS" inreference to the diamond mogul Lev Leviev, protesting his extensiveinvolvement in the construction of illegal settlements in the WestBank.

After about an hour people began to move back towards the village, thesoldiers used this chance to shoot off cannister after cannister oftear gas. One man was taken away on a stretcher from his exposure tothe gas. Activists stood on the opposite hill and regrouped whilesoldiers continued to shoot gas and rubber-coated steel bullets. Near the end of the demonstration, army snipers shot Bil'in PopularCommittee member Abdullah Abu Rahme in the head with a rubber-coatedsteel bullet. Abdullah was also one of the activists hospitalized aweek ago when settlers attacked a group of Palestinians who were non-violently protesting the placement of more caravans on their land.After the soldier shot Abdullah, he dances a bit and cheers, tellinghis comrades-in-arms that he "got one in the head!"

PCHR Weekly Report: 22 Palestinians killed, 117 injured by Israeli forces

One Week in Palestine...
According to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR)'s Weekly Report, during the week of January 3rd - 9th, 2008, 22 Palestinians were killed and 117 injured by the Israeli military.

Of those killed this week, four were women, three were children, and 5 of the victims were from the same family. Of the 117 wounded, 48 are children and 5 are women.

Israeli forces conducted 33 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 4 into the Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces arrested 93 Palestinian civilians, including 14 children.
In addition, troops razed 259 dunums of agricultural land and demolished 2 houses in the Gaza Strip. 20 dunums of land in the Jordan Valley were also razed.
One Palestinian woman gave birth at an Israeli checkpoint this week, and eight Palestinians were abducted at checkpoints, including three children.
Throughout the reporting period, Israeli forces have continued to impose a total siege on the Palestinian territories, and have isolated the Gaza Strip from the outside world and a humanitarian crisis has emerged.

see www.pchrgaza.org for full report.

Routine Israeli Invasion= Civilian Shot in Back of Head

Report: Palestinian shot in back of head by Israeli forces in Nablus
Tuesday January 08, 2008 08:28 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

One of the 38 Palestinian civilians shot and injured by Israeli forces during their two-day invasion of Nablus this week was shot three times in the back of the head, according to medical reports.
Ahmed Abu-Hantash is one of a number of Palestinians who were fired upon by Israeli forces while leaving al-Shuhada Mosque in Nablus after Friday prayers, according to eyewitnesses. He remains in the hospital in critical condition.
One eyewitness told the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), “I was walking with Ahmad to the mosque and suddenly I heard a gunshot and saw Ahmad fall beside me, I was horrified to see his blood splashing all over the ground, and did not know why the army shot at us, we ducked for cover and when the Israeli jeep left we rushed Ahmad to the nearby Specialty Hospital.”
According to the ISM, Ahmad Abu Hantash is a 35-year old Palestinian worker, married with two children, Fadi, 4 years old, and Hadi, three months old. After X-Rays showing the location of the three bullets in Abu-Hantash's head were published in the Israeli press, the Israeli military claimed that they will be investigating the incident.

www.palsolidarity.org
www.imemc.org

After Anapolis: Palestinian Home Demolitians and Israeli Colony Expansion

From Apartheid Masked: Settlements being built and Palestinian homes demolished under the shadow of "peace" talks.


December 17th, Peace Now Settlement Watch says: "Although Olmert declared a settlement freeze, we see that on the ground there is construction in settlements all over the West Bank, in all kinds of settlements, and as long as the Government does not stop settlement activity on the ground, the negotiations cannot succeed."A group of activists documented this continued construction in several settlements. They also documented the demolition of Palestinian houses which has continued after the peace conference, eight homes having been destroyed since Annapolis. They filmed construction in Nof Zion and Har Homa last week, and also took pictures of construction going on in Modi'in Illit, Ma'ale Adumim, Karnei Shomron, Alfei Menashe, and the Barkan industrial area. Activists also documented the construction that is taking place on the train being built to run through occupied East Jerusalem villages of Shuafat and Beit Hanina. This train will link settlements like Givat Ze'ev to Jerusalem, and with the settlements inside and around Jerusalem, create facts on the ground which will make a future Palestinian state, with Al-Quds as its capital, impossible. The Israeli Cabinet recently instructed the Israel Antiquities Authority to continue excavations at the Mugrabi walkway, the former site of the Mugrabi neighbourhood which was demolished in 1967, near the Western Wall in occupied East Jerusalem. A team of Turkish experts who had examined the excavations recommended that Israel stop work immediately. Their findings were published in a report which said that Israel was attempting to disrupt Jerusalem's history by stressing the Jewish aspect of Jerusalem, and that the excavations were part of a"systematically implemented effort to destroy values associated withcultural assets of the Ayyubid, Mameluke and Ottoman periods."The 2003 Roadmap to Peace that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed at Annapolis to resume says unequivocally that Israel must "freeze all settlement activity, including the "natural growth" of existing settlements."

Why I'll Never Be a Master-Knitter

Because I'm easily distracted. There you go.
I've been knitting a sweater for....quite some time now. I did all of the complicated bits first, ironed them, pieced them all together with special invisible seams. All I need to do to finish it off and wear it (I need it, it's about to get all Siberian here) is to finish the tie that goes around the bottom and attach this too. However, the tie is quite boring to knit, being 144cms of rows of K3 P2 K to end followed by P3 K2 P to end. Yawn. I've been knitting this simple tie for two months now and still haven't finished. In the mean time I've also knitted two hats and some baby bootees...you know, jobs that take a few days at most. Instant gratification in the world of knitters. As it is I'll have to go without a thick, warm sweater with nice seasonably appropriate cowl neck and... wear layers. I'm sure there's a life lesson in this.
BTW I gave the hats away so they aren't helping me either...