Qatar to inject $254 million into Gaza Qatar on Tuesday launched a $254 million plan to rebuild and modernize Gaza, the biggest injection of reconstruction aid for the Palestinian enclave since it was devastated in an Israeli military offensive nearly four years ago.

The Gaza Strip is in its sixth year of siege, in the 21st year of closure and the 46th year of occupation. The Coastal Aquifer, shared with Israel is its only accessible source of water, polluted at 90-95%. Decades of (systematic) de-development and, since 2007, persisting restrictions on material and equipment entry means maintenance works are on hold. In 2008-2009, Israeli military attacks – Operation Cast Lead – aggravated the damage on wells along with other deliberate and wanton (Goldstone) human and infrastructural losses. Scarcity of water sources have resulted in the over-abstraction of water, accelerating natural brackish water inflows from the SE (Negev) and seawater intrusions from the W (Mediterranean). Electricity cuts contribute to the pollution of water due to sewage interruptions on sewage treatment. 26% of illnesses in the Gaza Strip are water related. Gaza Water Confined and Contaminated communicates the tip of the iceberg.

BEIRUT, Lebanon, 16 October 2012 – Ten-year-old Ahmed* and his family have come to Lebanon from a Palestinian refugee camp in the Syrian Arab Republic. They fled their camp near Damascus when fighting intensified. One day, Ahmed’s 12-year-old sister Mona had stumbled across a bloody corpse close to their home. “It was terrible,” says Ahmed, “but I’d rather be there. In Syria, it was much nicer. I hardly know anyone here, and there is no place to play.”

Dozens of Israeli army veterans have admitted their involvement in massacres against Palestinian civilians in 1948, and acknowledged that Zionism misled them and is a catastrophe for both Jews and Arabs. The details have been revealed by the Yazkern organisation, which was founded in 2001 and seeks to unveil the truth and spread the Palestinian narrative of the country’s history among Israelis and convince them of Zionism’s false account. The organisation believes in a one-state solution and in Palestinians’ right to return to their land and homes.

A new Nakba looms as Israel plans ethnic cleansing of Palestinian village in the Negev Anger and worry prevails amongst the people of Umm Al-Hayran, a Palestinian village in the Negev Desert following a decision by the Israeli Building Council to expel villagers in order to build a settlement for extremist Jews. An appeal by the humanitarian groups on behalf of the villagers was refused last week by the Israeli National Council for Planning and Construction.

Although the 1993 interim Oslo Accords define the West Bank and Gaza as “one single territorial unit,” Israel’s lingering Second Intifada security policies have created a clear policy of intentional separation.

The Aqsa foundation for Endowment and Heritage (AFEH) has warned that the repeated Israeli storming of the Aqsa mosque was a prelude for dividing it between Muslims and Jews.

BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Israeli settlers blocked the southern entrance to al-Khader village on Tuesday, preventing dozens of cars from passing, locals said. Settlers from Gush Etzion blocked a road near the Bethlehem village, claiming that Palestinians had thrown rocks at a car which injured a woman. Israeli soldiers accompanied the settlers, witnesses added. Last week two Israeli rights groups released reports criticizing Israeli authorities for failing to protect Palestinians from settler violence, or investigate attacks.

Israeli occupation forces stormed on Monday Al-Fakhit school to the east of Yatta town in Al-Khalil and detained students and teachers along with foreign solidarity activists inside it.

Settlers Uproot Olive And Grape Trees In Al-Khader Ahmad Salah, coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Wall in Al-Khader town, south of Bethlehem, reported that a number of armed extremist settlers uprooted 20 olive trees and 15 grape trees that belong to the residents of the village.

Today, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs released a fact sheet on the Palestinian Olive Harvest, which typically takes place in October and November. The olive harvest is also a period of increased settler violence and intimidation against Palestinians trying to access their land.

TWO weeks into the West Bank’s annual olive harvest, Israeli settlers have destroyed hundreds of trees and attacked Palestinian farmers in what rights groups warn is a dangerous escalation of violence. Settlers uprooted 300 trees in al-Mughir and Turmusaya villages, cut down 120 trees in Nablus, destroyed 100 olive saplings and 60 vine trees in al-Khader village, uprooted 40 trees in Ras Karkar and assaulted at least four Palestinian farmers, three of whom had to be taken to hospital, the Palestinian Authority reported. Palestinian Authority executive member Hanan Ashrawi has written to all diplomatic representatives to call for international intervention. http://www.smh.com.au/world/israeli-settlers-launch-assault-on-palestinian-agriculture-20121016-27p2x.html#ixzz29WfXaXi0

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/10/17/244192.html

Beit Hanoun: The occupation opens fire at Palestinian farmers

The agricultural sector in the network of Palestinian NGOs strongly condemned the Israeli occupation forces attack, on Tuesday morning, on a group of farmers while they were reaping olive fruits. The agricultural sector in the network of Palestinian NGOs strongly condemned the Israeli occupation forces attack, on Tuesday morning, on a group of farmers while they were reaping olive fruits. http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO%2bi1s7KjRf1jzGByeKCLDmefcPZH%2bJKTicmLLzB8EK%2f%2fyk%2ftwS8f5bS1U5H0R7aypyADF7aOMzCKLTo6YWuarPESoJQMIyzeuQ%2bHV4mnl5nWD%2bnTI%3d Activist Injured in Demonstration

On Saturday, October 13th, 2012 Palestinian, Israeli and International activists marched to protest in front of the colony Karmei Tzur in a weekly demonstration. This week the main message was directed against the recent increase in colonist’s harassment of Palestinian farmers cultivating their land. In addition the activists protested against the terrorizing of the village of Beit Ommar conducted by the Israeli occupation forces in night raids, often to arrest children. The Israeli occupation forces lined up and tried to stop the residents of Beit Ommar, accompanied by Israeli and International activist, from marching into their own land. The demonstrators refused to accept this and kept on walking around the soldiers blocking the road. The soldiers chased after the demonstrators to stop them, and caused an injury to the leg of one of the activists. http://palestinesolidarityproject.org/2012/10/14/activist-injured-in-demonstration/ On Saturday, October 13th, 2012 Palestinian, Israeli and International activists marched to protest in front of the colony Karmei Tzur in a weekly demonstration. This week the main message was directed against the recent increase in colonist’s harassment of Palestinian farmers cultivating their land. In addition the activists protested against the terrorizing of the village of Beit Ommar conducted by the Israeli occupation forces in night raids, often to arrest children. The Israeli occupation forces lined up and tried to stop the residents of Beit Ommar, accompanied by Israeli and International activist, from marching into their own land. The demonstrators refused to accept this and kept on walking around the soldiers blocking the road. The soldiers chased after the demonstrators to stop them, and caused an injury to the leg of one of the activists. Illegal Arrests IOF soldiers arrest 8 Palestinians, assault citizen Israeli occupation forces (IOF) rounded up eight Palestinian citizens at dawn Tuesday in various West Bank areas and assaulted a young man in Beit Ummar village, north of Al-Khalil. http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO%2bi1s7z1amSVahxZitJvTQNzrhhFV0tG%2faasCu2OOwWKPBH4SrQMm93eTVGFQME2c4mpNLRhOT%2bM7gNW6qQ16lL92d3HogPBPruAdMeGwzxuVGm0A%3d Including Children, Army Kidnaps 13 Palestinians In The West Bank

Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Monday at dawn, 13 Palestinians in different parts of the West Bank, including two children, 12 and 11 years old, who were taken from their homes in occupied East Jerusalem, and a 15-year-old child in Hebron. Israeli soldiers kidnapped, on Monday at dawn, 13 Palestinians in different parts of the West Bank, including two children, 12 and 11 years old, who were taken from their homes in occupied East Jerusalem, and a 15-year-old child in Hebron. http://www.imemc.org/article/64394 The occupation arrests a Palestinian farmer from al-Khalil

Israeli occupation forces arrested on Sunday a Palestinian citizen from the town of Beit Ummar in al-Khalil south of the occupied West Bank, while he was reaping olives in the his land. Israeli occupation forces arrested on Sunday a Palestinian citizen from the town of Beit Ummar in al-Khalil south of the occupied West Bank, while he was reaping olives in the his land. http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO%2bi1s7TXVr7aAK3oj8njyJGXSyJM1%2fQxnlMvsTn1qySaoUMlFK63RS9HnQTJSfQfOn471yWmti4Q8VJIz6vSdg%2fFpvlyVNbmxlw7njB7WWWkRB7eM%3d Police arrest boys on school trip

Two children were detained by Israeli police on Friday, 12 October, before being released 5 hours later. Muhammad Abed al-Hafez Abu Rumoz, 16, and Fadi al-Kilani were arrested while on a school trip at Gu’s Beach then held at the police station in Tabariya. The boys were accused of “making trouble”, an accusation they denied which was confirmed by eyewitnesses.

http://silwanic.net/?p=29719 Sweep of arrests through East Jerusalem

A sweep of arrests were made throughout Jerusalem by Israeli forces on Thursday, 11 October. The operation began in Shuafat Camp, Ras al-Khamis camp and Ras Shehade, then moved through Sawane and the Old City. Ten men and youth were arrested in Ras al-Khamis Camp and Ras Shehade between midnight and early morning. Several houses were raided and searched. Amongst those arrested were 19-year old Izhak G’atet and 16-year old Muhammad Abu Rumuz. Forces raided a home in the Bab al-Hadid neighborhood of the Old City near Al-Aqsa Mosque and arrested Luai Hadib, 27, when an argument broke out. Amir al-Qadmani, 17, was arrested in Sawane. From Silwan, Sarhan Sarhan (27), his brother Khaldoun Sarhan (26), and Samer Adkikak were arrested when their houses were raided. Israeli forces were aggressive towards the men’s families during the arrests.The Awad family home was raided in Bir Ayyub and the Ata Rayan home in Al-Bustan. Forces used sniffer dogs during the raid, and kept their sirens ringing into the night, provoking extreme anxiety in family members, many of whom were searched by armed forces. Fifteen-year old Salah Aweda was also arrested the following day.

Imprisoning Munir, the ‘Leader’, Tamar Fleishman

It was on Friday afternoon that they caught Munir Nayim Hamed who is fifteen and a half years old. ‘Munir is the leader’ people said. Every evening, Munir would lead his friends from the refugee camp holding stones in their hands, to battle the checkpoint and the soldiers that came out towards them. He stood at the front line of these teenagers when gas grenades were shot at them in retaliation. ”Six soldiers came, three stood back and three sneaked up and pulled a “red riding hood on him” (set a trap for him) said an eye witness who after spending seven years in an Israeli prison not only masters Hebrew but is also familiar with the slang. It was on Friday afternoon that they caught Munir Nayim Hamed who is fifteen and a half years old. ‘Munir is the leader’ people said. Every evening, Munir would lead his friends from the refugee camp holding stones in their hands, to battle the checkpoint and the soldiers that came out towards them. He stood at the front line of these teenagers when gas grenades were shot at them in retaliation. ”Six soldiers came, three stood back and three sneaked up and pulled a “red riding hood on him” (set a trap for him) said an eye witness who after spending seven years in an Israeli prison not only masters Hebrew but is also familiar with the slang.

Other Prisoner News Court extends remand of Jerusalemite child

The Magistrate court in occupied Jerusalem decided to extend the detention of a 12-year-old Jerusalemite child till Wednesday.

Palestinian human rights organization stated that the prisoners Ayman Sharawna, 107 days on hunger strike, suffers from sharp deterioration in his health condition. http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO%2bi1s7mCzuR0likHmgKs6VFpvHeJuoSKjPg1y2fxc6G7IrNO4Zj99%2fOD9%2btwIFMdHbbe0vNtzGY7H%2fTzhohLP%2bsE9aWBd45dJYEAFfCfOyAnOsgmc%3d Tadamun society demands Israel to release Palestinian elderly man

The international Tadamun (solidarity) society for human rights demanded the Israeli government to release an aged man named Sami Shaeblo, 67, due to his poor health status. The international Tadamun (solidarity) society for human rights demanded the Israeli government to release an aged man named Sami Shaeblo, 67, due to his poor health status. http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO%2bi1s7VzKlx29mqAixrK%2b1ES6YroJaC8Ww%2fxdENM1InS8pafSUzWZ0UPBNbxsw0Lltz7yGF0cDOPGvL%2bOF46uby2GZLlRZvX5y7d9c%2bgKH2XIbTcg%3d Sparrows successfully break through Gilboa prison “bird checkpoints,” writes Ameer Makhoul

The Israeli Prison Authority fails to block sparrows from entering Gilboa Prison square, reports Ameer Makhoul.

Protests / Solidarity / Activism / BDS



Palestinians block 443 Highway Palestinian and international activists block 443 highway, which connects Tel Aviv and Jerusalem through the West Bank, during a protest against the violence of the Israeli settlers, October 16, 2012. The direct action was organized in light of the increasing settler attacks against Palestinians and their properties during the current olive harvest season.

Palestinian activists shut down apartheid road A group of Palestinians shutdown an Israeli-only highway to Tel Aviv today in the West Bank. International activists supported the Palestinians at today’s peaceable action, which blocked Route 443 for approximately thirty minutes. Fifty Palestinian and roughly ten international activists blocked the highway near Beit Ur, west of Ramallah during the demonstration, which was organized by the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee. The non-violent protesters held aloft Palestinian flags and placards in Hebrew and Arabic denouncing “settler terrorism”. Also known as Modi’in Road, highway 443 is open to Palestinians only for a short section of its length. The vast majority of it is controlled by checkpoints to ensure that only those with Israeli citizenship are able to travel using it.

PA workers to strike over unpaid salaries RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — The Palestinian Authority’s public workers union has called for full strike Wednesday and Thursday and again next week in protest of the government’s failure to pay salaries. The head of the union, Bassam Zakarneh, said Tuesday that the Palestinian Authority was allowing the United States and Israel’s pressure over the UN bid to affect the Palestinian people. After a meeting Tuesday in Ramallah of the union’s leadership, Zakarneh said representatives of the governor and ministries discussed ways of managing the crisis. ”The employees cannot even pay for transportation to get to work,” Zakarneh said. “The union understands there is American and Israeli pressure on the Palestinian people,” he said.

Austria’s Salam.Orient festival reacts to Arab artists’ pull out over Israel sponsorship, Ali Abunimah

Palestinian oud player Marwan Abado, and Tunis Air pull out, bringing to 5 number of artists who have boycotted festival.

Academic boycott has to be part of the BDS campaignsn