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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

In Gaza: Killed by Israel, Eaten by Dogs



IslamOnline. net, January 13, 2009


The emergency doctor could not believe himself seeing the remains of what was days back Shahd, a full-fleshed 4-year-old Palestinian girl

Oh, God! I have never seen such a terrible scene," cried Kayed Abu Aukal.

The emergency doctor could not believe himself seeing the remains of what was days back Shahd, a full-fleshed 4-year-old Palestinian girl.

She died when an Israeli shell was fired at the backyard of her home in the Jabalya refugee camp northern Gaza strip, where she was playing.

When her parents attempted to rush to the rescue of their kid, who fell to the ground amid a pool of her blood, rains of Israeli bullets kept them a distance.

For the next five days Shahd's which was left lying in the open left for dogs to tear out.

"The dogs did leave one single part of the poor baby's body intact," said a tearful Abu Aukal.

"We have seen heart-breaking scenes over the past 18 days. We picked up children whose bodies were torn or burnt, but nothing like this."

For five days Shahd's brother, Matar, and cousin, Mohamed, tried in vain to reach her body. They were fired at by the Israeli occupation forces every time.

Seeing the body of the little angel torn to piece by the assaulting dogs, the two made one final attempt, and it was their last.

They were showered by Israeli bullets before they could reach Shahd's body, joining a long list of more than 920 Palestinians killed by Israel since December 27.

Deliberate
Omran Zayda, a young neighbor, said the Israelis knew very well what they were doing.

"They chased her family and prevented them from reaching to her body, knowing that the dogs would eat it," he said.

"They are not just killing our children, they are intentionally doing so in the most heinous and inhuman ways."

Zayda said words, and even cameras, can not describe the horrific scene.

"You can never imagine what the dogs have done to her innocent body," he said, fighting back his tears.

Many Palestinians insist Shahd was not the first or only such case.

In Jabalya, when Abd Rabu's family was trying to bury three of its dead, the Israeli forces started firing at them, witnesses said.

They then released their dogs at the bodies, deserted by mourners who sought shelter from the Israeli gunfire, they added.

"What happened was awful and unthinkable, " Saad Abd Rabu, the deceased uncle, told IOL.

"Our sons died before our eyes and we were even prevented from burying them," he cried.

"The Israelis just released their dogs at their bodies, as even they have not done enough." 

Monday, September 12, 2011

Palestine takes presidency of Arab League


Published Sunday 11/09/2011 (updated) 12/09/2011 19:56
 
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas takes part in the Arab summit in
Saudi Arabia, March 28, 2007. [MaanImages/Pool/PPO/Omar Rashid]
CAIRO (Ma'an) -- Palestine took presidency of the Arab League on Sunday as the council met for its 136th session in Cairo.

Palestine's representative Barakat al-Farra replaced Oman's representative as president of the Arab League. On Tuesday, Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki will take over as president of the ministerial council.

Al-Farra said he hoped the 136th session would meet the Arab people's ambitions, the official PA news agency Wafa reported.

"Everybody is looking forward to this session which coincides with major events in the Arab world, namely the Arab Spring, and so it should meet ambitions," Al-Farra said.

Regarding Palestine, the session should offer political support to the upcoming bid for full UN membership, he said.

Al-Farra highlighted that Arab countries should support the PA financially as the government has struggled to pay civil servant wages. The Arab League should support Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem, he added.

"Arab countries that have not fulfilled their pledges made during the successive Arab League summits should pay their dues, and there should be extra financial aid to thwart Israel's threats to cut off tax revenues to the PA," Al-Farra said.

The media in Arab countries should help the PA to spread a clear message to the international community confirming that the Palestinian right to self-determination is inalienable and guaranteed by UN resolutions, he added.

Permanent representatives, foreign ministers and the Arab League follow-up committee will hold meetings on the sidelines of the council's session.

Palestinian activists seek state recognition from EU



A giant Palestinian flag is displayed outside the European Commission
headquarters in Brussels September 12, 2011. Non-governmental
organisation Avaaz.org was protesting to demand European leaders
recognize Palestinian statehood. [REUTERS/Thierry Roge]
Published yesterday (updated) 12/09/2011 20:32

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -- Pro-Palestinian activists raised a giant Palestinian flag on Monday in front of the European Council building in Brussels.

The 20 meter flag was unfolded by activists from the Avaaz Palestine campaign and Belgian artist Alain de Cleck who simultaneously delivered 913,171 signatures to the EU petitioning for member states to recognize Palestine.

Diplomat for the Palestinian delegation to the EU, Majed Bamya, said it was a historical moment.

"It is a very important moment in our history, where we are seeking international recognition for our state that we've been building for two decades now. And this means that the EU should stand on the right side of history. To support this recognition. They have helped us politically and financially to build a state."

"They have acknowledged our right for self determination three decades ago. It's time to implement this right. And to fulfill it. And this will happen at the UN. We all have a meeting with history," said Bamya standing in front of the giant flag.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reaffirmed his support for an independent Palestinian state on Friday ahead of discussion at the UN headquarters in New York Sept. 19.

"There will be pressure. There is an American position we need to deal with. We are talking to the Americans. This serves the purpose of peace. It is in line with international law. We are speaking about 1967 borders which are recognised internationally. This is a matter of international consensus that the Palestinians have a right to statehood," added Bamya.

"These shouldn't be empty words and the Israelis have to understand that the international community needs to step in. We need them to step in not only for the Palestinian peoples but for all the peoples of the region including the Israeli people,"

The United States said explicitly it would use its veto in the Security Council to stop any Palestinian bid for full UN membership if the matter went ahead.

Avaaz said YouGov/IFOP opinions polls carried out in Germany, France and UK showed the majority of people were in support of Palestinians having their own state and called for the UN resolution for the recognition of a Palestinian state.

Leading EU countries support Palestinian statehood bid in UN, poll says


  • Published 17:51 12.09.11
  • Latest update 17:51 12.09.11


Survey taken on behalf of the global political web movement Avaaz shows majority of citizens in Germany, France, and U.K. support recognition of future Palestinian state.

By Danna Harman and The Associated Press
The majority of citizens in Germany, France, and the U.K. support the planned Palestinian statehood bid in the United Nations, a new poll indicated on Monday.
A new opinion poll published Monday shows that a majority of people in Germany, France and Britain – three countries that are critical votes in the battle over the Palestinian bid for statehood – all want their leaders to vote in favor of a UN resolution to support recognition of a Palestinian state when it's discussed in New York.
Mahmoud Abbas AP Sept. 25. 2010
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaking at the UN General Assembly, Sept. 25, 2010
Photo by: AP
The survey, which was carried out online by YouGov in Britain and Germany, and Ifop in France, on behalf of the global political web movement Avaaz - which is conducting an online petition in support of a Palestinian state - shows that in Germany 84% supported Palestinian statehood and 76% believed Germany should act now to recognize; in the U.K. the figures were 71% and 59%; and in France the figures were 82% and 69% respectively.
Ricken Patel, Executive Director of Avaaz, said in a statement: "The overwhelming majority of the British public have spoken - now David Cameron must listen."
"The Prime Minister has a clear choice: stand with the British public, and 126 other nations to support a Palestinian state and a new path to peace, or side with the US government which continues to push a failed status quo,” Patel added.
Avaaz says it is planning to deliver more than 913,000 signatories backing what it describes as "this new opportunity for freedom" to the European parliament.
Spain is openly backing the recognition, with Sweden, Portugal, Norway, Malta, Belgium and Luxembourg seemingly leaning in that direction.
France and Britain in turn have both said they would prefer to see meaningful negotiations on the basis of the pre-1967 borders with agreed land swaps, but have hinted they may vote for enhanced status for the Palestinians without such a prospect.
Germany, like Italy, Holland, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria has said they oppose the move.

Undercover Forces Kidnap Five Youths In Gaza



 Sunday September 11, 2011 06:36author by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies 
Eyewitnesses reported on Saturday evening that an undercover unit of the Israeli army infiltrated an area east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, and kidnapped five Palestinian youths, the Palestine-Info reported.

File- Soldiers Kidnapping A Palestinian Teen
File- Soldiers Kidnapping A Palestinian Teen

Security sources in Gaza confirmed the attack, and stated a number of armored Israeli military vehicles carried out a limited invasion into Al Qarara town, near Khan Younis, while the undercover units kidnapped the five teens.

Soldiers opened fire at random while withdrawing from the area; no injuries were reported.

Eyewitnesses said that Israeli drones and Apaches choppers were flying over the area while the army was operating in it. The whereabouts of the kidnapped teens remain unknown.

http://www.imemc.org/article/61997