This week …

News Highlights:

  • 12 Palestinians wounded and five taken prisoner by the Israeli army during a non-violent protest at the separation barrier in Bilin village.
  • Palestinian NGOs welcome the decision of the British University and College Union to take steps to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law and to send a delegation to Gaza.
  • U.N. is “concerned” over new settlement expansion in occupied Jerusalem, after Israeli housing ministry announces 884 more settlement units to be built.
  • Israeli human rights group Peace Now criticizes the construction and says it pre-empts any final peace deal.
  • Hamas officials welcome moves towards possible reconciliation with Fateh, after Mahmoud Abbas says in a press conference he will consider any efforts towards unity.

Feature:

A live interview with Jewish American folk singer David Rovics, who was coming to BC for several performances on June 5th and 6th. David talked about how he got involved with progressive politics and his commitment to struggles around the world, even though some of his family had shunned him because of his pro-Palestinian activities. There was also discussion of the effectiveness of the anti-war movement in North America, and the role of popular culture in mobilizing people. David concluded by giving details of his events in Victoria and Vancouver, and explained how people can download his music or buy his CD’s from his website, www.davidrovics.com

Focus on Zionism:

Excerpts of a U.N. report about how a water project in a West Bank village will help those 22,000 people, but was only a “drop in the ocean” for the 200,000 West Bank Palestinians not connected to water networks.

Here is an audio file of this show: