For Gaza demo at Erez Crossing / Pour Gaza, manifestaition au checkpoint de Erez

(c) Anne Paq/activestills.org; Eretz Crossing between Israel and Gaza, 26/01/2006.
Checkpoint de Erez a l'entree de Gaza, 26/01/2008.

Protest against Israel's blockade of Gaza, at the Erez crossing just outside the northern Gaza Strip, Israel, 26/1/2008.

Plus de 1000 personnes ont protesté contre le blocus de Gaza au checkpoint de Erez.
Le convoi comprenait des voitures et bus provenant de plusieurs villes d’Israel. De la nourriture de base a été rassemblée et apres de longues negociations l’armée a accepté de laisser rentrer les denrées à Gaza le lundi suivant.

More than 1000 activists took part in a protest on the Israeli side of Erez Crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip, calling the Israeli government to stop the siege of Gaza. 26/1/2008.

Convoy to Gaza

Press release 25/1/2008



Army closes down hilltop site of planned Saturday rally at the conclusion of Gaza supply convoy; rally will take place instead outside Erez Checkpoint, after car convoy and protest march by foot
Parallel Palestinian demonstration due inside Strip



This morning police suddenly informed organizers of the countrywide Gaza Supply Convoy, due tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 26) that the army has forbidden the holding of the concluding rally on a hilltop overlooking the Gaza Strip (to which no objection was made earlier). The army even intends to surround the site with barbed wire to prevent access. There is no time to lodge a Supreme Court appeal, and organizers decided to have the rally at Erez Checkpoint, use of which is denied to Gazans.



The authorities’ move makes it impossible to have direct eye contact between the simultaneous Israeli and Palestinian rallies tomorrow, but there will still be phone contact and exchange of a message of peace and solidarity across the sealed border.



As noted in earlier messages, the humanitarian supply convoy will set out tomorrow morning, Saturday, 26 January 2008, from Nazareth , Haifa , Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beer Sheva and meet up at 12.00 noon at Yad Mordechai Junction. From Yad Mordechai the protest convoy will go southwards, a long line of trucks, buses and private cars all decked with “Lift the Blockade!”signs. About half a kilometre ahead of the checkpoint, participants will march on foot, carrying signs and personal packages of supplies prepared by Israeli families for the Gazans. At 13:00 the rally will take place outside the locked gates of Erez Checkpoint. Speakers will include Shulamit Aloni, Uri Avnery, Nurit Peled-Elhanan, Issam Makhoul, Fatmeh el-Ajou, Rana Nashashibi, Suliman Al-Hatib and Jeff Halper. The convoy and rally will take place under all weather conditions.



As noted, there will be a phone link with the parallel demonstration due at the same hour in Gaza City at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the keynote speaker will psychiatrist and human rights activist Dr. Eyad Sarraj. A parallel Palestinian demonstration is also expected in Ramallah. Simultaneous demonstrations will take place in Rome, Modena, Bologna, Grosseto, Naples, Milan, Paris, Poitiers, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Nantes, Orleans, Cleveland, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, London, Montreal, Los Angeles, Chicago, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Sydney, New York, Phoenix, Seattle, San Diego, Toronto, Cape Town and elsewhere across the globe – with a considerable participation of Jewish groups opposed to the policies of the Government of Israel.



You may go with us at 8.30 am from Reading Terminal in Tel Aviv, 8.45 a.m. from Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem , or go independently to be at 12 noon to Yad Mordechai Junction, where the convoy will set out.



For further details: Adam Keller, Gush Shalom (0506-709603), Adi Dagan, Coalition of Women for Peace (0508-575730), Angela Godfrey-Goldstein, ICAHD (0547- 366393). Dr. Eyad Sarraj ( Gaza ), End the Siege on Gaza campaign, (0599-408438), Marwan Diab ( Gaza ), End the Siege on Gaza campaign, (0599-462037).



Participating organisations: Gush Shalom, Combatants for Peace, Coalition of Women for Peace, ICAHD – The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, Bat Shalom, Bat Tzafon for Peace and Equality, Balad, Hadash, Adalah, Tarabut- Hithabrut, Physicians for Human Rights – Israel, AIC – The Alternative Information Center, Psychoactive – Mental Health Workers for Human Rights, ActiveStills, The Students Coalition (Tel Aviv University), New Profile, MachsomWatch, PCATI – The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, Yesh Gvul, Gisha, Local Television on the Internet, Committee for Israeli-Palestinian Dialogue, “On the Left Side”, and Faculty for Palestinian-Israeli Peace (Israel).

For Gaza/ Pour Gaza

(c) Anne Paq/Activestills.org, Bethlehem; 22 January 2008
Veillee a la bougie a Bethlehem en protestation du bouclage de Gaza. Les punitions collectives sont interdites par le droit international.
Candles Vigil in Bethlehem in protest against the siege of Gaza. Collective punishment is illegal according to international law/

Scores of Palestinians and internationals protest in Bethlehem against the Siege imposed on Gaza
author Tuesday January 22, 2008 19:46author by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC Newsauthor email ghassanb at imemc dot org Report this post to the editors

About 150 Palestinians and internationals gathered on Tuesday evening in front of the Nativity church located in the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem in protest of the Israeli imposed Siege of the Gaza Strip.

Protesters in Bethlehem Today – Photo by IMEMC's Ghassan Bannoura
Protesters in Bethlehem Today – Photo by IMEMC's Ghassan Bannoura

The event was organized by local NGOs including Al Ruwwad cultural center in Aida Refugee Camp, Al Khader Popular Committee, Mithaq center, the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement between People, the mother organization of IMEMC, Al Fineeq Center, and Sirage center.

Protesters held banners calling for the end of the Israeli Siege of Gaza, after Short Speeches were delivered in Both Arabic and English, the participants chanted slogans calling for the end of the Israeli Siege and attacks against Palestinians in Gaza.

Hussam Jubaran, one of the Organizers of the event told IMEMC that this protest is a symbolic action to show support for the people in the Coastal Region, " our hearts are with our brothers in Gaza, we demand an immediate halt to this illegal Siege and the violent attacks Israeli is doing in the Gaza strip." Jubaran said

On Thursday last week, the Israeli government decided to keep up the pressure on the Gaza Strip by further attacking Palestinian resistance groups. On Friday Israel declared all Gaza's border crossings completely closed, with a total ban of the delivery of fuel and supplies to the coastal region. By Sunday Gaza had no electricity as the only power plant in Gaza depends entirely upon Israeli Fuel.

After a widespread international outcry following Israel cutting off of all fuel into Gaza, the Israeli authorities agreed to allow fuel and medicine into the Palestinian coastal region on Tuesday for one day only.

Israeli government sources stated on Tuesday that the latest fuel shipment Israel allowed into the Gaza strip is an attempt to sabotage any Security Council condemnation of the siege imposed on the Gaza strip by Israel. Arab states that have representation in the UN Security Council called of an emergency session on Tuesday in an attempt to win UN Security Council condemnation of the Israeli siege of the Gaza strip.

For Gaza

(c) Anne Paq/tourbillonphoto.com
Manifestation a Bethlehem contre le siege de Gaza, 22 Janvier 2008.
Demonstration in Bethlehem against the siege of Gaza, 22 January 2008

Gaza will not be forgotten

Gaza will not be forgotten!

End the siege of Gaza.



We want to appeal to all concerned, whether it be official bodies in the International community, those in Israel and/or those within the Palestinian community to work together to prevent the crimes being committed against the civilians in Gaza because it is our responsibility to take a stand against this oppression.



We would particularly like to raise awareness about the effect the fuel shortage is having on everyday life. The civilians left without fuel are left without the basic rights stated in Article 25 of Universal declaration of Human Rights: "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including medical care". These standards have been removed because without fuel there is no source of heating, ability to cook or clean water supply. In addition some of the hospitals have been forced to limit their energy usage to only essential life-saving equipment, and heating cannot be one of these priorities even in this particularly harsh winter.



We, Palestinians and Internationals together, invite u to join us in solidarity with those in Gaza suffering from the sanctions Israel have imposed upon them. We are here to protest against the collective punishment from which the people of Gaza are suffering. Collective punishment is illegal according to international law.



We will not stay silent in front of blatant injustice.



Please join us, bring a candle in front of the Nativity Church, at 6pm, Tuesday 22 January and spread the word,













GAZA: AN ISRAELI CALL FOR URGENT ACTION



We, the Israeli organizations signed below, deplore the decision by the Israeli government to cut off vital supplies of electricity and fuel (and therefore water, since the pumps cannot work), as well as essential foodstuffs, medicines and other humanitarian supplies to the civilian population of Gaza . Such an action constitutes a clear and unequivocal crime against humanity.

Prof. John Dugard, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories , called the Israeli government’s actions “serious war crimes” for which its political and military officials should be prosecuted and punished. The killing of more than 40 civilians this past week violates, he said, “the strict prohibition on collective punishment contained in the Fourth Geneva Convention. It also violates one of the basic principles of international humanitarian law that military action must distinguish between military targets and civilian targets.” Indeed, the very legal framework invoked by the Israeli government to carry out this illegal and immoral act – declaring Gaza a “hostile entity” within a “conflict short of war” – has absolutely no standing in international law.

We call on the Secretary General of the UN, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, to lead the Security Council to a decisive decision to end the siege on Gaza when it meets in emergency session on Wednesday.

We call on the governments of the world, and in particular the American government and the European Parliament, to censure Israel ’s actions and, in light of recent attempts to revive the diplomatic process, to end all attacks on civilians, including the continuing demolition of Palestinian homes at an alarming rate.

We call upon the Jews of the world in whose name the Israeli government purports to speak, and upon their rabbis and communal leaders in particular, to speak out unequivocally against this offense to the very moral core of Jewish values.

And we call upon the peoples of the world to let their officials and leaders know of their repudiation of this cruel, illegal and immoral act – an act that stands out in its cruelty even in an already oppressive Israeli Occupation.

We condemns attacks on all civilians, and we acknowledge the suffering of the residents of Sderot. Still, those attacks do not justify the massive disproportionality of Israeli sanctions over a million and half civilians of Gaza , in particular in light of Israel ’s oppressive 40 year occupation. Such violations of international law by a government are especially egregious and must be denounced and punished if the very system of human rights and international law is to be preserved.

The Israeli government’s decision to punish Gaza ’s civilian population, with all the human suffering that entails, constitutes State Terrorism against innocent people. Only when Israeli policy-makers are held accountable for their actions and international law upheld will a just peace be possible in the Middle East .



The Alternative Information Center * Bat Tsafon * Gush Shalom * The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) * Physicians for Human Rights * The Women’s Coalition for Peace

Gaza into darkness- how far they can go?/ Gaza dans les tenebres- jusqu"ou vont-ils aller?

Blackout in besieged Gaza City


Darkness descended on Gaza as the second of the plant's two working turbines was switched off on the third day of a crippling Israeli blockade of the territory.

Sunday's shutdown has prompted fears of a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinians said the worst affected could be the health sector, with hospitals failing to provide services in the absence of electricity.

"At least 800,000 people are now in darkness," Derar Abu Sissi, general director of the plant, said.

"The catastrophe will affect hospitals, medical clinics, water wells, houses, factories, all aspects of life."

Panic buying

However, Arye Mekel, an Israeli foreign ministry spokesman, said that the shutdown was unnecessary. "They have an interest in exaggerating," he said.

Israel says the blockade imposed on Gaza is in response to rockets being fired from the territory.


Your Views

How will Israel's incursion impact peace talks?

Send us your views
Mekel said that supplies of petrol used in cars, as well as diesel, had been halted but not fuel oil and cooking gas.

"The ball is in their court," he said. "If they stop the rockets today, everything would go back to normal."

Power outages have become commonplace in the Gaza Strip in recent months after Israel declared the area a "hostile entity" and began restricting fuel supplies.

Ahead of the shutdown, residents bought up batteries and candles, as well as basic foods like rice, flour and cooking oil. Bakeries stopped operating because they did not have power or flour.

UNRWA, the UN organisation supporting Palestinian refugees, warned the shortages would drastically affect hospitals, sewage treatment plants and water facilities.

"The logic of this defies basic humanitarian standards," Christopher Gunness, UNRWA spokesman, said.

Patients at risk

Dr Medhat Abbas, head of the crisis management unit at the health ministry in Gaza, said that electricity from generators would only be available for a few more hours at the Al-Nasser children's hospital.

In video


-Jacky Rowland reports on the impact of the Gaza blockade
- Nour Odeh reports on the pressure mounting on the Palestinian president
"These patients and these children are facing their destiny and they will die soon," he told Al Jazeera.

"They escaped from their poor houses were they have very cold weather ... The families brought them here to be saved in the incubator. Now the incubator and the nursery will be out of electricity.

"What sort of humanitarian law is this?"

He said the blackout would also deprive cancer and intensive care patients of their treatment as well as spoiling blood and vaccines that were being stored.

Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland in Gaza said that it was not only power generation that would be affected.

"It also means no fuel for the generators that fuel the water pumps - a lot of the water in Gaza is deep beneath the surface, and it has to be pumped to the surface - so no fuel can also mean no water."

'Collective punishment'

The UN has said Israel should not collectively punish Gaza's population while responding to security threats.

The organisation has criticised Israel's decision to close border crossings into Gaza, preventing aid deliveries to the 1.5 million people living in the territory, saying on Saturday that the move could provoke a humanitarian crisis.

Palestinians fear the power cut could be
disastrous for the health sector [AFP]
Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, also urged an immediate end to violence in Gaza and Palestinian sniper and rocket attacks into Israel.

Zeev Boim, an Israeli cabinet minister, said that rather than condemning Israel's move, the UN should condemn Palestinian rocket attacks.

"I don't hear the UN's voice," he said.

Israel has continued to push ahead with its military offensive against Palestinian fighters in both Gaza and the West Bank in recent days.

Late on Sunday, an Israeli air raid killed at least one Palestinian and critically wounded another in the northern Gaza Strip. Hamas officials said that the target was a group of fighters who launched makeshift rockets into southern Israel.

Around 230 such rockets and mortars have been fired over the border since Tuesday, according to the Israeli military. At least 36 Gazans have been killed by Israeli fire in the past week.
Source: Al Jazeera and agencies




e blocus israélien est maintenu à Gaza, où les coupures d'électricité se multiplient
LEMONDE.FR avec AFP et Reuters | 20.01.08 | 16h01 • Mis à jour le 20.01.08 | 21h14

a bande de Gaza, placée sous blocus total par Israël depuis jeudi, était frappée par d'importantes coupures d'électricité, dimanche 20 janvier. Celles-ci risquent de s'aggraver avec l'arrêt de l'unique centrale du territoire, qui fournit 30 % de sa consommation. "Nous avons dû arrêter la centrale faute de fioul", a déclaré le directeur la centrale, Rafik Mliha, ajoutant que "cette fermeture va avoir de très graves conséquences pour les habitants, pour le fonctionnement des hôpitaux, des stations de pompage d'eau".


Les coupures de courant, fréquentes depuis qu'Israël a déclaré le territoire "entité hostile" après la prise de contrôle du Hamas, se sont empirées quand Tel-Aviv a cessé les fournitures de carburant, de produits alimentaires et humanitaires, en riposte aux tirs de roquettes palestiniennes. La plupart des quartiers de la ville de Gaza – où vivent plus de 400 000 personnes – sont privés de courant, alors que les stocks de gaz domestique et ceux de fuel étaient déjà épuisés.

M. ABBAS DEMANDE LA FIN DU BLOCUS

Des responsables du Hamas ont indiqué qu'après l'arrêt de la centrale, la ville de Gaza sera plongée dans le noir. Les habitants ont déjà commencé à stocker des produits de première nécessité dans le calme. Le ministre de la santé du territoire a mis en garde contre les conséquences d'une telle situation. "Nous sommes obligés soit de débrancher les salles d'opération, soit de couper l'électricité dans les maternités", a-t-il notamment affirmé.

Le président palestinien Mahmoud Abbas "a appelé le gouvernement israélien à lever immédiatement le bouclage (...) pour faciliter la vie des innocents et permettre aux hôpitaux, qui font face à une crise mettant des vies en danger, de fonctionner", selon son porte-parole, Nabil Abou Roudeina, qui ajoute que M. Abbas a appelé à une "réunion spéciale" du Conseil des ministres de la Ligue arabe et pourrait saisir le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU dans les prochaines heures.

Selon des chiffres fournis par des responsables palestiniens et israéliens, la bande de Gaza consomme 200 mégawatts, dont 120 sont directement fournis par Israël, 17 proviennent d'Egypte et 65 sont produits par la centrale locale. "C'est un système très fragile, explique Sari Bashi de l'ONG israélienne Gisha, qui souffre depuis plusieurs mois en raison du bouclage. Chaque nouveau coup a des effets sur les hôpitaux, sur l'eau ainsi que les habitations".

"PUNITION COLLECTIVE"

Le gouvernement israélien a décidé de maintenir le blocus sur le territoire lors d'une réunion des ministres, dimanche. "Nous rendons plus difficile la vie quotidienne à Gaza, nous visons des éléments terroristes et nous essayons de montrer à la communauté internationale que nous épuisons toutes les options avant de décider d'une vaste opération", a affirmé le ministre de la défense israélien, Ehoud Barak.

La décision des autorités israéliennes intervient alors que les appels à reprendre les approvisionnements, pour éviter une crise humanitaire, se sont multipliés ces derniers jours. Parmi eux, celui de l'Unrwa, l'agence de l'ONU pour les réfugiés à Gaza, qui a mis en garde contre contre les "effets dévastateurs" de la poursuite du blocus. "Priver les gens de choses fondamentales comme l'eau revient à les priver de la dignité humaine. Il est difficile de comprendre la logique qui consiste à faire souffrir des centaines de milliers de personnes pour rien", a lancé son porte-parole, Christopher Gunness. Le secrétaire général adjoint de l'ONU aux affaires humanitaires, John Holmes, a pour sa part dénoncé une "punition collective visant la population de Gaza".

Samedi, au moins deux membres du Hamas ont été tués au cours d'un raid aérien israélien dans le nord de la ville de Gaza, portant à 36 le nombre de Palestiniens tués depuis le 15 janvier.

slideshow of my photo group in Aida refugee camp

Demonstration against Bush's visit; in Jerusalem

(c) Anne Paq/ Activesills.org, Jerusalem, 9 January 2008.
See also protest in Ramallah

During Bush's visit to Ramallah

(c) Anne Paq/ Activesills.org, Ramallah, 10 January 2008.
Ramallah transformed into a ghost town.
See text below

During Bush's visit to the West Bank

(c) Anne Paq/ Activesills.org, Ramallah and Qalandia checkpoint, 10 January 2008.
See text below

Maan news-
Bush responded flippantly to a question about the removal of Israeli checkpoints that carve up the territory of the West Bank, saying he was able to pass through the checkpoints in his motorcade without being stopped. "I don't think it's like that for the average citizen," he quipped.

Demonstration against Bush's visit violently repressed by Palestinian Authority

(c) Anne Paq/ Activesills.org, Ramallah, 10 January 2008.
See text below

Demonstration against Bush's visit violently repressed by Palestinian Authority

(c) Anne Paq/ Activesills.org, Ramallah, 10 January 2008.
See text below

Demonstration against Bush's visit violently repressed by Palestinian Authority

(c) Anne Paq/ Activesills.org, Ramallah, 10 January 2008.
See text below

Demonstration against Bush's visit violently repressed by Palestinian Authority

(c) Anne Paq/ Activesills.org, Ramallah, 10 January 2008.
See text below

The behind the scenes of Bush’s visit or How I would like to thank Mister Bush for opening my eyes.

(c) Anne Paq/ Activestills.org, Ramallah, 10 January 2008

So Bush came to Ramallah, and of course the city was upside down.The Palestinian Authority wanted to show that they were up to the task of handling the security.

I managed to get a press pass and I was cynical but curious to see how the big show will go on. All the photographers and journalists were told to come at 6am at a certain location so that they could be taken all together to the Muquata.

I did not want to play this game. I wanted to show the “behind the scenes” of the visit and to feel the atmosphere of the streets. I wanted to show the absurdity of it all. The big circus that the PA agreed to play. I was also told that there would be some demonstrations and I did not want to miss them.

Early morning, I was waken up by the noise of the helicopters and the sirens. Was Ramallah attacked? Then I remembered that we were under siege because the visit of George W. Bush. As I moved around the city, I discovered that the streets were empy and the impression of a ghost town was reinforced by the presence of a heavy fog.

From Al Manara, the center of the city, two streets were closed. Some Palestinian Policemen were standing with their brand new uniforms; preventing people to go further. I argued with them that I had a press card and that I was on the list of the American Consulate, according to which I was allowed to get inside the Muquata. But they told me that it was not possible and that the whole area was now closed. I tried to go through the back streets, and soon faced some soldiers with very impressive army gear. For one moment i asked myself if i was confronted with Palestinians, Americans or Israeli soldiers. But they were Palestinians. Again they told me to go. I tried another road, in vain. I asked the Palestinian soldiers at what time they came and they answered me at 3 o’clock. Then I decided to go to a Palestinian friend’s house to watch AlJazeera Live. I asked my friend what she would tell Bush if she could talk to him and she answered: “Why you come here, killer?”.

Then we watched Bush at the press conference. My friend was not listening too much. As a sign said in the demonstration in Jerusalem the night before “No more Bushit”. There was an ironic superposition of titles in AlJazerra as the headlines appeared. You have Bush telling “Peace is possible” while at the same time the headline said “Two civilians killed in Gaza by Israeli Airstike”. Then with arrogance, he made joke about the checkpoint, and how he did not have to wait. And I remember yesterday when i went to Jerusalem and how we got stuck inside and had to wait in the freezing cold that the soldiers finally decided to let us go. I also remember the line of workers at Bethlehem checkpoint who queue up as early as 4am. How did he dare joking about it? Let him put a kaffieh and try to travel from Ramallah to Bethlehem like a Palestinian. He would not bear one trip.

Then I had enough of the press conference and I moved to AlManara as there was supposed to have a demonstration there and indeed they were people peacefully handling banners with slogans such as “Our freedom is not for sale”; “Remove all settlements”, “It is the occupation stupid”; and “Gaza in on our mind”. Soon the Palestinian police came and began to shout at people not to stand on the road. Then they began to push and attempted to prevent photographers to do their work. A Palestinian photographer was arrested. I could not believe it. I was also shout at but I continued to move around to take pictures.

Soon we heard about a demonstration next to the Orthodox club so we went there, only to find more police and even special Palestinian security forces.

The police was blocking the street to prevent people to join the demonstrators. I argued that I was doing my job and that they had to let me pass but they would not. So with a few friends we had to climb some fences and ran towards the demonstration, only to find again more Palestinian forces ready to crush the demonstration.

The demonstrators include Palestinians from different factions and movements, and many women in the front row. Suddenly the Palestinian forces attacked the demonstrators with gas and sticks; beaten up the demonstrators, including the women who were numerous. Photographers and journalists were also attacked. I found myself taking the same type of pictures that I am taking at demonstrations against the Wall, only this time there were Palestinians against Palestinians. The Palestinian authority used the same tactics as the Israeli soldiers. The pushing, crushing, the gas. They even had some special forces in civilian clothes to identify the most active demonstrators.

All expression of dissent has to be crushed so that the plan can goes ahead.

As with Israeli soldiers, it was quite clear that some Palestinians were not at ease with beating up demonstrators. Some other were on the contrary very aggressive. Suddenly one policeman attacked one young Palestinian with a stick and broke his nose. Some policemen also angrily confiscated some signs against the occupation and tore them down into pieces. The crowd continued to shout “Bush and CIA out!”. The Palestinian film-maker Mohammad Alatar was also arrested; and another camera was taken from a Palestinian photographer.

All along I was thinking, “what a sad day for Palestine”. After almost two hours of confrontation, the demonstration finished. We all went away a little shocked. But i think we should face it and not pretend that this has not happened. The PA is acting more and more as a security proxi to the benefit of the Israelis, with methods comparable to the occupier. They learned well but we have also to draw the lessons from this episode. We; internationals working in Palestine, for what are we fighting for? Which Palestine? If we are talking about a pseudo Palestinian state ran by the methods used by the PA today, and for the service of t Israeli and US interests and the Palestinian elite; then this is not a worthy fight. I will not fight for a fateh- state. We internationals have the responsability to denounciate this dark side of the Palestinian moon. The Palestinian Authority must go. A revolution has to start both in Palestine and in Israel, rejecting the master plan well designed by Bush and Olmert; well implemented by the PA. There are some alternatives, and strong voices on both sides that are more and more advocating the vision for a one state solution. We internationals involved in the struggle should clearly position ourselves.

I would like to thank Mister Bush to have make me open my eyes on the true face of the PA. Now it appears clear that the struggle has different fronts. If we ignore one of them; we will loose it all.

The Bush diplomatic circus began

9 january back to business with Bush's visit....such a big joke really. Since a few days, the security is everywhere. The PA security forces are making their show. For what?

Bush has done nothing but blindly supporting Israel. His words about a Palestinian state cannot be taken seriously; anybody who has come to visit Palestine knows that the Israeli and American policies have killed the possibility of a viable Palestinian state.

Bush blatantly discards international law. Today he declared that the outposts that have not been authorized by the Israeli government have to go....is it a joke? ALL THE SETTLEMENTS in the West Bank are ILLEGAL! To remove a few outposts is nothing and should not been seen as a painful compromise for Israel, but as a smokescreen.

By the way; in the press conference, Olmert dared to declare that Israel is committed to the road map! In the meantime, TODAY, some settlers put a new oupost in Hebron.

The people here have all the reasons to not welcome Bush, actually there was a demonstration in Jerusalem where was also denounciated the siege of Gaza. The last days the electricity has been cut off in Gaza for eight hours, and we are in themiddle of the Winter. At the same time, Bush is praising Israel. Shame on Bush; and all his supporters.

Bush diplomatic circus

From the Jerusalem Post

Six youths were arrested Monday night in Jerusalem as they were hanging anti-Bush posters ahead of the American president's visit.

The posters, authored by the "National Jewish Front"

The posters depict Bush, Olmert and Peres wearing Palestinian kaffiyehs, with a banner running "accomplices to terror".

The youths told police that they were paid to hang the posters by extreme right-wing activist Itamar Ben Gvir, of the National Jewish Front.

Ben Gvir was also detained for questioning later in the day. He admitted to having printed the posters, adding that he would continue to do so as it was perfectly within the limits of the law.

He also said police should learn that "free speech is not just for lefties."

Police were preparing Tuesday for a string of protests, by both left and right, during the US president's visit. Right-wing activists were expected to try and create a "human chain" around the walls of Jerusalem's Old City, while left-wing activists were planning to hold a protest in front of the American Consulate in Jerusalem.

In 2008, the struggle continues/ en 2008, la lutte continue

(c) Anne Paq/ Activestills; Um Salamona.
Manif contre le Mur; un an de lutte a Um Salamuna, Vendredi 4 Janvier 2008.
Demonstration against the Wall, in Um Salamuna; marking the year anniversary of the start of the demonstrations in the village.

reject refuse resist for 2008.

(c) Anne Paq/activestills.org
Manifestations a Bethleem et dans la colonie de Har Homa. en 2008, la lutte continue. faisons face aux injustices et à nos peurs les plus profondes. combattons les.
Demonstrations in Bethlehem and in Har Homa settlement. in 2008, the struggle continue. let us face the injustices and our more profound fears. let's fight them.