News Highlights:
- Palestinian PM Ahmed Qorei asks for full report from French hospital on the
death of President Yasser Arafat.
Many Palestinians suspect poisoning, especially since no definitive cause of
death has been announced. - Two bodyguards killed in Gaza mourning tent, during armed scuffle.
- Nov. 11th – Israeli PM Ariel Sharon says he will launch propaganda campaign
against the legacy of Yasser Arafat. - Israeli officials say East Jerusalem Palestinians will not be permitted to
vote there. - Marwan Bargouthi, the jailed Palestinian parliamentarian, is urged to run in
the upcoming Palestinian elections.
Feature:
A discussion with the in studio panel about the passing of Palestinian
President Yasser Arafat and the possible scenarios of what will follow. The
panel talked about Arafat’s legacy amongst the Palestinian people, and how
most Palestinians, even those who opposed him, regarded him as being
responsible for bringing the Palestinian struggle to the world stage. There
was also discussion about the January elections in the occupied territories,
and if there could even be free and fair elections under occupation given
the checkpoints and curfews. Finally, part of a tribute was read by Mahmoud
Darwish, Palestine’s most famous poet, which said in part – “he was
victorious in the battle for national existence…creating an identity for the
forgotten Palestinian refugee”.
Focus on Zionism:
Excerpts of an article in the Nov. 12th Globe and Mail, about the results of a
survey conducted by Canadian Zionist groups. The survey showed that most
Canadians want the government to remain neutral in the Israeli/Palestinian
conflict, and many have a negative view of Israel.