News Highlights:
- Palestinian Health Ministry report released on Feb. 15th says 27 Palestinians killed in just one week, 12 in one neighbourhood in Gaza City; almost 3000 killed since Sept. 2000.
- Former head of international force in Hebron/AlKhalil says Israeli settlers and army are carrying out cleansing and in a few years, “no Palestinians will remain there”.
- 200 Palestinian journalists occupy legislative building in Gaza to protest a series of attacks on reporters.
- Palestinian cabinet minister Saab Erekat says U.S. support for Ariel Sharon is dangerous, as Sharon says Israel will boycott the upcoming International Court hearing on the apartheid wall.
- Bill C-2 coming up for 2nd reading in Ottawa, and if passed, this bill will fine or jail subscribers in Canada to foreign satellite channels like Al Jazeera.
- Israel currently holds 629 Palestinian administrative detainees, who are held without charge or trial on secret evidence; one detainee was recently arrested for “incitement against the fence”, according to Knesset member Yossi Sarid.
Feature:
A live interview with Ghassan Andoni, from Beit Sahour in Palestine. Ghassan was one of the co-founders of the International Solidarity Movement, and he also works with the Rapprochement Center. Ghassan talked about the upcoming International Court of Justice Hearing on the apartheid wall, and the protests being planned in Palestine to coincide with the hearings. He said many people were concerned with what would follow after the apartheid wall, especially the possibility of massive transfer (i.e. ethnic cleansing) of Palestinians. Ghassan encouraged internationals to keep coming to Palestine to bear witness, despite the new Israeli travel regulations, and called on all peace-loving people to not be silent and raise their voices about the Palestinian tragedy.
Focus on Zionism:
A story from an ISM volunteer in Jenin about the intimidating and unnecessary searches that schoolchildren, some as young as 6, are subjected to by Israeli soldiers at checkpoints.