Daily Archives: February 9, 2021

2021-02-09: News Headlines

Ramzy Baroud (2021-02-09). 'Freedom is Never Voluntarily Given': Palestinian Boycott of Israel is Not Racist, It is Anti-Racist. counterpunch.org Claims made by Democratic New York City mayoral candidate, Andrew Yang, in a recent op-ed in the Jewish weekly, 'The Forward', point to the prevailing ignorance that continues to dominate the US discourse on Palestine and Israel. Yang, a former Democratic Presidential candidate, is vying for the Jewish vote in New York City. According to

IMEMC News (2021-02-09). Army Abducts Three Palestinians In Hebron, One In Ramallah. imemc.org Israeli soldiers abducted, on Tuesday at dawn, three young Palestinians from their homes in Hebron governorate, in southern West Bank, and one near Ramallah, in the central part of the occupied territory. The Hebron office of the Palestinian Prisoners' Society (PPS) has reported that several army jeeps invaded Doura town, south of the city, before …

IMEMC News (2021-02-09). Israeli Army Invades Farmlands In Northern Gaza. imemc.org On Tuesday, several armored Israeli military vehicles, including bulldozers, invaded Palestinian farmlands northwest of Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza, and fired sporadic rounds of live ammunition, in addition to bulldozing lands near the fence. Media sources said the Israeli military vehicles came from a base across the fence and advanced dozens of meters into the …

MEE staff (2021-02-09). UN experts call on Israel to stop torture, inhuman treatment of Palestinians. middleeasteye.net UN experts call on Israel to stop torture, inhuman treatment of Palestinians | Panel of rights experts said Israel was using a 'grave loophole within the Israeli judicial system' to defend its use of torture | Tue, 02/09/2021 – 18: 13 | Arbeed was detained in 2019, and after being subjected to interrogation by Israel's Shin Bet domestic intelligence service, he suffered from kidney failure and broken ribs (AFP…

IMEMC News (2021-02-09). Army Attacks Farmers And Shepherds, Navy Fires At Fishermen, In Gaza. imemc.org On Monday, Israeli soldiers attacked with live ammunition Palestinian farmers and shepherds, east of Gaza city, and Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, while navy ships attacked fishing boats in Palestinian territorial waters. Eyewitnesses said the soldiers fired many rounds of live ammunition, in addition to concussion grenades at Palestinian farmers, …

IMEMC News (2021-02-09). Soldiers Shoot A Palestinian Near Jenin. imemc.org Israeli soldiers shot, on Monday evening, a young Palestinian man near the Annexation Wall, close to the town of Barta'a, southwest of the northern West Bank city of Jenin. Eyewitnesses said the soldiers fired many live rounds at Palestinian workers near the gate of the illegal Annexation Wall, wounding a young man in the leg. …

IMEMC & Agencies (2021-02-09). Analysis: Israel's Crimes, Legitimacy and Free Speech. imemc.org By Ron Forthofer for the Palestine Chronicle Israel is waging an intense campaign against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement, a nonviolent campaign called for by Palestinian civil society in 2005. This Movement was modeled on the campaign against South African Apartheid. Palestinians felt compelled to issue the call for a BDS campaign since previous …

The Palestinian News & Info Agency (2021-02-09). WAFA: "Palestinian injured as settlers push him off wall south of Nablus" imemc.org NABLUS, February 8, 2021 (WAFA) — Israeli settlers today afternoon pushed a Palestinian off a wall in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya village, south of Nablus city, according to a local official. Head of al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya Village Council confirmed that settlers pushed Mohammad Daraghmeh, 50, off a 4-meter-high wall as they forced their way into the village, under …

IMEMC News (2021-02-09). Soldiers Shoot A Teen, Abduct Two Palestinians, In Bethlehem. imemc.org Israeli soldiers invaded, on Tuesday at dawn, the Deheishe refugee camp, south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and shot a teen, in addition to abducting two Palestinians in the al-Khader nearby town. Media sources said several army jeeps invaded the Deheishe refugee camp, leading to protests, and fired live rounds, a barrage of …

PCHR (2021-02-09). PCHR: Landmark Decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC Welcomed by Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, PCHR and Addameer. imemc.org On Friday, 5 February 2021, over one year since the Office of the Prosecutor closed its preliminary examination into the Situation in the State of Palestine, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued its decision affirming that the Court has full territorial jurisdiction over the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), i.e. the West …

The Palestinian News & Info Agency (2021-02-09). WAFA: "Humsa al-Bqaia under attack once again as soldiers return to remove humanitarian-provided tents" imemc.org JORDAN VALLEY, Monday, February 8, 2021 (WAFA) — Israeli occupation forces today returned to the battered Humsa al-Bqaia Bedouin community in the northern Jordan Valley to remove the tents provided by humanitarian agencies as shelters for the families whose homes were recently demolished by the Israeli army, according to sources. The soldiers arrived at the …

_____ (2021-02-09). Egypt Reopens Rafah Crossing Indefinitely. popularresistance.org Egypt today opened the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip until further notice, Egyptian and Palestinian sources said, a move described as an incentive for reconciliation between the main Palestinian factions meeting in Cairo, Reuters reported. | Leaders of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction, which controls the West Bank, and of Hamas, which governs the besieged Gaza Strip, began Egyptian-brokered talks yesterday to address long-standing divisions ahead of elections planned for later this year. | The 365 square kilometre (141 square mile) Gaza Strip is home to around two million Palestinian…

Ramzy Baroud (2021-02-09). Andrew Yang Got it Wrong: Palestinian Boycott of Israel is Not Racist, It is Anti-Racist. mintpressnews.com Claims made by Democratic New York City mayoral Yang, a former Democratic Presidential candidate, is vying for the Jewish vote in New York City. According to the reductionist assumption that all Jews must naturally supp…

Maureen Clare Murphy (2021-02-09). Israel lashes out as ICC okays war crimes probe. zcomm.org The International Criminal Court has territorial jurisdiction to investigate suspected war crimes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, a panel of judges affirmed last week…

Phyllis Bennis (2021-02-09). Where is Biden's Foreign Policy Headed? zcomm.org Biden has appointed many old guard interventionists and new Cold Warriors, but there is some hope for a better Iran policy. Watch out for attempts by Israel to scuttle the nuclear deal…

news.un (2021-02-09). New ICC ruling 'opens the door' for justice in occupied Palestine — Independent UN expert. news.un.org The ruling of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that is does have jurisdiction over grave crimes committed in occupied Palestinian territory is a "significant step forward in the quest for justice and accountability", an independent UN human rights expert said on Tuesday.

Susan Price (2021-02-09). ICC opens door to prosecuting Israel for war crimes in Palestine. greenleft.org.au In a landmark decision, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has affirmed its jurisdiction over war crimes committed in Palestine, opening the door to possible criminal charges against Israel, writes Susan Price…

yenisafak (2021-02-09). Egypt opens Gaza crossing in both directions. yenisafak.com Egypt on Tuesday opened the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip for the movement of travelers in both directions, according to the Hamas-run Interior Ministry.A ministry statement said that "passenger buses began to leave the crossing, while returnees will arrive at noon".It is unclear how many days the crossing will remain open.Palestinian factions are currently holding dialogue in Cairo on preparations for elections.Last week, Egypt opened the crossing for four days in both directions.Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March, Egypt and Hamas agreed to close the crossing. The terminal was sp…

MEE staff (2021-02-09). Golan Heights 'will continue' to be Israel's, says Netanyahu after Blinken remarks. middleeasteye.net Golan Heights 'will continue' to be Israel's, says Netanyahu after Blinken remarks | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responds after US Secretary of State downplays country's claim to Syrian territory | Tue, 02/09/2021 – 16: 14 | The Israeli-controlled fence that separates occupied Golan Heights from rest of Syria, pictured on 12 May 2020 (AFP/File photo) | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu re…

MEE staff (2021-02-09). Dershowitz 'tried to free paedophile George Nader' to work on Israel-UAE deal. middleeasteye.net Dershowitz 'tried to free paedophile George Nader' to work on Israel-UAE deal | Report suggests Trump ally lobbied US and Israel governments to commute sex offender's 10-year prison sentence | Tue, 02/09/2021 – 09: 54 | Attorney Alan Dershowitz, a member of former US President Donald Trump's legal team, and convicted paedophile George Nader (AFP/C-Span) | Lawyer Alan Dershowitz helped craft a proposal for the…

yenisafak (2021-02-09). Israeli army says suspect broke into Nevatim Air Base. yenisafak.com A suspect broke into the Nevatim Air Base in the northern Negev Desert on Monday night, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Tuesday.The suspect drove through an open gate into the base, abandoned the car later and took off on foot.While the search in coordination between air force, ground defense units and police was ongoing, the suspect "climbed two barbed wire fences and a five-meter-high (16-foot) fence, and left the base."No loss of life or damage to the security facilities was reported."The event will be investigated and the necessary lessons will be learned," the IDF statement added.The…

Gregory Wilpert (2021-02-09). The Disintegration of Israeli Politics. theanalysis.news As Israel gears up for its fourth general election in two years, it has become increasingly clear that Israeli politics is in the process of disintegration. It's largely due to an ever more fragmented party system based on identity politics, says Shir Hever, author of the book, The Privatization of Israeli Security.

Ralph Nader (2021-02-09). Democrats Disarm Themselves Before Trump's Senate Impeachment Trial. zcomm.org If the Democrats do not go full throttle in this trial — this last clear chance to exercise the Constitution against Tyrant Trump — they will be remembered as profiles of infamy…

Mohammad Ayesh (2021-02-08). Arabic press review: Palestinians step up efforts to sue Israel at ICC. middleeasteye.net Arabic press review: Palestinians step up efforts to sue Israel at ICC | Meanwhile, Hamas is reportedly split on decision to participate in elections, and Egypt and the UAE feel alienated after results of UN-sponsored Libyan elections | Mon, 02/08/2021 – 14: 25 | The Bakr family in their house in the al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City on 7 February, with posters of four children from their exten…

IMEMC News (2021-02-08). Soldiers Abduct Eight Palestinians In Ramallah. imemc.org Israeli soldiers abducted, on Monday at dawn, eight Palestinians, including five who were kidnapped by undercover forces, in the Ramallah governorate, in central West Bank. Media sources said several army jeeps invaded the al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah city, before the soldiers stormed and ransacked many homes. They added that the soldiers abducted a …

Staff (2021-02-08). ICC's "Landmark Decision" Could Open Door to Prosecuting Israel for War Crimes in Palestine. democracynow.org In a landmark decision, judges at the International Criminal Court say the body has jurisdiction over war crimes committed in the Palestinian territories, opening the door to possible criminal charges against Israel and militant groups like Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the international tribunal's decision "pure anti-Semitism" and rejected its claim of jurisdiction, as did the United States, while Palestinian officials and human rights groups welcome the news. Human rights lawyer Raji Sourani, director of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza, says the decision restores "the i…

Staff (2021-02-08). Landmark ICC Decision Could Open the Door for Prosecuting Israel on War Crimes. truthout.org In a landmark decision, judges at the International Criminal Court say the body has jurisdiction over war crimes committed in the Palestinian territories, opening the door to possible criminal charges against Israel and militant groups like Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the international tribunal's decision "pure anti-Semitism" and rejected its claim of jurisdiction, as did the United States, while Palestinian officials and human rights groups welcome the news. Human…

The Palestinian News & Info Agency (2021-02-08). WAFA: "African leaders: Israeli settlements on occupied territories are illegal" imemc.org ADDIS ABABA, Sunday, February 07, 2021 (WAFA) — African leaders reaffirmed today that all Israeli settlements erected on the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem and the Syrian Golan, are illegal. In the final statement of the two-day virtual 34th African Union Summit, African leaders stressed that Israel's settlements constitute serious violations of international humanitarian …

IMEMC News (2021-02-08). Israeli Colonists Attack Palestine TV Crew Near Salfit. imemc.org Several Israeli colonists attacked, Monday, a crew of Palestine TV near the entrance of Ariel colony, which was built on stolen Palestinian lands, near Salfit, in central West Bank. Palestine TV said the colonists attacked its crew members while filming a documentary about the escalating illegal Israeli colonialist activities and the dangerously increasing assaults by …

Jonathan Cook (2021-02-08). How Israel's Netanyahu helped break apart the Joint List. middleeasteye.net How Israel's Netanyahu helped break apart the Joint List | Rifts in the Palestinian coalition have helped further the prime minister's agenda, including foiling his own corruption trial | Mon, 02/08/2021 – 13: 52 | Joint List party members Osama Saadi, Ayman Odeh, Ahmed Tibi, and Mansour Abbas (left to right), arrive at the residence of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin for talks on 22 September 2019…

Staff (2021-02-08). Raji Sourani: Gaza Faces COVID Crisis as Israel Withholds Vaccines While Imposing Inhumane Blockade. democracynow.org The World Health Organization estimates there have been 51,312 confirmed cases and 522 deaths from COVID-19 in Gaza since reporting began in July 2020, and the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees warns the Gaza Strip's health system could collapse if the number of cases continues to rise. We get an update from Raji Sourani, human rights lawyer and director of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza, on how Gaza has been impacted by COVID-19 as an ongoing blockade has destroyed its health infrastructure. "Our equipment is unable to deal with the emerging situation," Sourani says.

Ramzy Baroud (2021-02-08). "Freedom is Never Voluntarily Given": Palestinian Boycott of Israel is Not Racist, It is Anti-Racist. dissidentvoice.org Claims made by Democratic New York City mayoral candidate, Andrew Yang, in a recent op-ed in the Jewish weekly, 'The Forward', point to the prevailing ignorance that continues to dominate the US discourse on Palestine and Israel. Yang, a former Democratic Presidential candidate, is vying for the Jewish vote in New York City. According to …

IMEMC News (2021-02-08). Israeli Soldiers Abduct Four Palestinians, Including One Who Was Shot In Chest, In Jenin. imemc.org Several Israeli army vehicles invaded, on Monday at dawn, Jenin refugee camp, and Qabatia town, in the northern West Bank governorate of Jenin, before the soldiers stormed homes and abducted four Palestinians, including one who was shot in the chest in his home. Media sources said dozens of soldiers invaded Jenin refugee camp, before the …

Peoples Dispatch (2021-02-08). Palestinian Authority will use its own postal codes from April. peoplesdispatch.org The services, set to start from April 2021, will soon be extended to the blockaded Gaza strip. The move is expected to provide relief to Palestinians who have seen over 7,000 postal violations by Israel in 2020…

IMEMC News (2021-02-08). Soldiers Demolish Well, Two Sheds, Near Ramallah And Tubas. imemc.org Israeli soldiers demolished, Monday, an irrigation well near Ramallah, in central West Bank, and two residential sheds near Tubas, in northeastern West Bank. Media sources said the soldiers invaded the al-Mughayyir village, east of Ramallah, and demolished an irrigation well. Marzouk Abu Na'im, the head of the -Mughayyir village council, said the well is owned …

MEE and agencies (2021-02-08). Israel's Netanyahu pleads not guilty to corruption weeks before election. middleeasteye.net Israel's Netanyahu pleads not guilty to corruption weeks before election | The premier is the first to be indicted in office after he was charged last year over graft allegations
| Mon, 02/08/2021 – 07: 48 | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to a hearing of his corruption trial at the Jerusalem district court, on 8 February 2021 (AFP) | Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin…

_____ (2021-02-08). Defensive Moves Or Preparation For War With Iran? popularresistance.org The US has decided to deploy the Israeli Iron Dome Missile Interceptor Systems, purchased in 2019, in Eastern European countries and also in the Gulf countries where the US Central Command (CENTCOM) operates and has established operational military bases. This step coincides with the US decision that Israeljoin CENTCOM (with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrein, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Sudan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Pakistan and more) following the normalisation of trade and diplomatic relations between several Arab and Islamic countries and Tel Aviv.

Online News Editor (2021-02-08). Israel PM pleads not guilty as corruption trial resumes. laprensalatina.com (Update 1: Adds plea, alters lede and headline.) Jerusalem, Feb 8 (efe-epa).- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday formally pleaded not guilty before judges at Jerusalem's District Court as the corruption trial against him resumed. A three-judge panel heard the defendants' response to the indictment and set the date for the next evidentiary stage …

MEE staff (2021-02-08). US rejoins UN rights council, but voices concern over 'focus on Israel'. middleeasteye.net US rejoins UN rights council, but voices concern over 'focus on Israel' | The move reverses the Trump administration's decision to pull Washington from council over its criticism of Israel | Mon, 02/08/2021 – 15: 31 | The empty seat of United States during an urgent debate on 'systemic racism' at Human Rights Council in Geneva, 17 June 12020 | The United States has rejoined the UN Human Rights Council, Secreta…

RT (2021-02-08). Washington ready to rejoin UN Human Rights Council… to shift its attention from Israel's violations. rt.com US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced America will "re-engage" with the UNHRC as an "observer" in a bid to pressure the international body to dispense with what he called its "disproportionate" focus on Israel. | Touting the Biden administration's supposed return toward "a foreign policy centered on democracy, human rights, and equality," the newly-appointed diplomat tore into the council over its efforts to hold Israel accountable for its ongoing violations of international law. | "We recognize that the Human Rights Council is a flawed body, in need of reform to its agenda, membership, and focus,…

IMEMC News (2021-02-07). Israeli Navy Attacks Palestinian Fishermen In Gaza. imemc.org Israeli navy ships attacked, Sunday, Palestinian fishing boats in Gaza territorial waters, in the southern part of the besieged coastal region, and near Gaza city. Media sources said the navy ships fired many live rounds at the Palestinian fishing boats, in addition to using the high-powered cater cannon against them, near Khan Younis, in the …

IMEMC News (2021-02-07). Army Halts Construction Of Seven Palestinian Homes Near Nablus. imemc.org Israeli soldiers invaded, Sunday, the town of Sorra, west of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and handed seven locals military orders halting the construction of their homes. Morad Eshteiwi, the head of the "Wall And Colonization Resistance Commission" in northern West Bank, said the soldiers halted the construction of seven Palestinian homes near …

IMEMC News (2021-02-07). Soldiers Shoot A Palestinian Worker Near Jenin. imemc.org Israeli soldiers shot, on Sunday morning, a Palestinian worker near the illegal Annexation Wall near Barta'a town, southwest of the northern West Bank city of Jenin. Eyewitnesses said the soldiers fired live rounds at Palestinian workers near the wall, wounding one of them. They added that the soldiers shot Khaled Mer'eb Freihat with a live …

IMEMC News (2021-02-07). Israeli Colonists Cut 30 Olive Saplings Near Salfit. imemc.org Several fanatic illegal Israeli colonists invaded, Sunday, a Palestinian olive orchard near Salfit, in central West Bank, and cut more than thirty olive saplings, in addition to stealing equipment. Eyewitnesses said the colonists invaded the Palestinian orchard near Bruqin village, west of Salfit, before cutting at least thirty olive saplings. They added that the colonists …

IMEMC News (2021-02-07). Israeli Soldiers Injure Three Palestinians, Abduct Two, In Jenin. imemc.org Israeli soldiers invaded, Sunday, Jenin city in northern West Bank, and injured three Palestinians, including one who was rammed with an army jeep, in addition to abducting two Palestinians, including one child. Several army jeeps invaded the center of Jenin city and attacked Palestinian protesters with live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets, and gas bombs. Medical …

IMEMC News (2021-02-07). Israeli Colonists Attack Palestinian Shepherds Near Hebron. imemc.org A group of fanatic Israeli colonists, illegally squatting on private Palestinian lands, attacked many shepherds, Sunday, in the Masafer Yatta area, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Fuad al-Amour, the head of the "Protection and Steadfastness Committee" in Masafer Yatta and Southern Hebron Hills, said the colonists came from Havat Ma'on illegal …

IMEMC News (2021-02-07). Army Abducts Two Palestinians In Hebron And Jerusalem. imemc.org Israeli soldiers abducted, earlier Sunday, two Palestinians from Hebron, in southern West Bank, and in Jabal al-Mokabber, south of occupied East Jerusalem. Media sources said the soldiers invaded Be'er al-Hummus area, in the center of Hebron city, before storming and ransacking homes. They added that the soldiers abducted Haitham Talal as-Sammak, 22, from his home …

OCHA (2021-02-07). OCHA-OP: "Humsa al Bqai'a | Flash Update #1" imemc.org Report By: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian territory OCHA-OPT: Posted on 5 February 2021 Highlights During two major incidents in recent days, Israeli forces demolished or confiscated 46 structures in the Palestinian Bedouin community of Humsa — Al Bqai'a in the Jordan Valley, leaving 60 people, including 35 …

IMEMC News (2021-02-07). Israeli Soldiers Invade Archaeological Site Near Nablus. imemc.org Israeli soldiers invaded, Sunday, the archeological site in Sebastia Palestinian town, north of Nablus, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank. Mohammad Azem, the Mayor of Sebastia, said several army jeeps invaded the town, before heading towards the archeological site. He added that the soldiers forced the Palestinian away, and closed the site, …

MEE and agencies (2021-02-07). Covid-19: Israel begins exit from third virus lockdown. middleeasteye.net Covid-19: Israel begins exit from third virus lockdown | Despite a vaccination campaign, the country has been registering a daily average of 6,500 new Covid-19 cases

| Sun, 02/07/2021 – 15: 48 | While a third of Israelis have received the vaccine, Palestinians living in the occupied territories have been left out of the roll-out (AFP) | Israeli barbershops and some other businesses…