News Highlights:
- Bilin leader Mohammad Khatib is released from Israeli jail, but must still stand trial, even though his lawyer proves that charges against him are false; Mohammad is just one of many Bilin activists being targeted by Israeli forces.
- International human rights activists are beaten and arrested as they attempt to accompany Palestinian farmers in Saffa.
- Extremist settlers continue to harass Palestinian families in Sheik Jarrah in Jerusalem that are being forcibly evicted from their homes.
- Israeli PM Netanyahu vows to never repeat redeployment of Gaza settlers.
- Israeli Interior Minister calls for more Israeli settlement expansion, particularly in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
Feature:
A live conversation with Karin Brothers from Toronto, who had just returned from the United Church Conference in Kelowna, BC. Karin talked about the three resolutions put forward by the Toronto region calling for a boycott and sanctions against Israel that were not passed by the Conference. There was also a lively discussion about the one resolution that was passed, which contained conflicting sections, including one clause calling for: “The recognition by the emergent State of Palestine of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state within safe and secure borders”. Although the resolution also had progressive clauses in it, the discussion centred around the significance of this particular clause. Karin concluded by calling on people to support the elements in the Church trying to push for justice for the Palestinians.
Focus on Zionism:
Highlights of an August 18th, 2009 press release about the declaration by the Israeli government that their shooting of American activist Tristan Anderson in a non-violent demonstration was an “act of war”, which releases the Israeli government from any liability for damages.
Here is an audio file of this show: