Politics
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The Palestine Papers and the "Gaza coup"
It has long been known that following Hamas’ victory in Palestinian Authority legislative elections in January 2006, Israel and its allies, particularly the United States, worked to undermine the Hamas-led government. Their aim was to restore the authority of the Fatah movement led by Mahmoud Abbas, which had controlled the PA since it was created in 1994 after the Oslo accords were signed the previous year. In February 2007, after months of clashes between their supporters, Fatah and Hamas agreed to form a “national unity government” headed by Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. Enraged by this, the US government hatched a plot, along with Fatah strongman Muhammad Dahlan, to engage Hamas militarily in Gaza. But the plot failed and in June 2007 Hamas turned the tables and overran Dahlan’s US -supported militias.
As Egyptians demand their freedom, I ask a Muslim in Jaffa if we will see the same in Israel. "I don't think so," he answers. "Even with all the mess here, we have democracy." But, do we? And for how much longer? As we speak, the Knesset is debating one of a slew of anti-democratic bills.
The death of Israeli democracy - Features
End the Occupation of Iraq Rally [London, April 12 2003] Photo report with over 30 speeches in real audio including: Anita Halpin (NUJ), Michael Foot (former Labour leader), Felicity Arbuthnot (Journalist), Alan Simpson (MP), Imran Khan (Ex-cricketer, Politician), Ann Quesne (Land Mines Action), Bernard Regan (Palestinian Solidarity), Carol Naughton (CND), Sue Doughty (MP), Jeremy Corbyn (MP), Darren Johnson (London Asembly), Mark Seddon (Editor Tribune), Tony Benn, George Galloway (MP), Louise Christian (Human Rights Lawyer), Hamdeen Sabahy (Egyptian MP), Bruce Kent (CND), Fun-Da-Mental (Music band). Special features include: Imam Khamenei's message on Iraq, Artists Against the War, US Troops & looting, Reconstruction Contracts, Bombs followed by Bibles, Lies & Misinformation to Divide Muslims. <p style="text-align:right;color:#A8A8A8"></p>
Boycott Israel Campaign
Rabbis say 'no housing for Arabs' - Features
Hundreds of Israeli rabbis have signed a religious edict forbidding Jews from renting or selling homes or land to Arabs and other non-Jews. The public letter instructs Jews to "ostracise" those who disobey the order, which is widely viewed as an attack on the country's Palestinian citizens. When the decree was announced on Tuesday, it had been signed by 50 rabbis, many of who are employed by the state of Israel as municipal religious leaders. Despite sharp public criticism, another 250 rabbis have added their names to the proclamation. It is the latest battle in the ongoing religious campaign against non-Jews. A similar edict was issued in the city of Safed less than two months ago, when over a dozen rabbis banded together to urge Jewish landlords not to rent apartments to Arab college studentsCorporatocracy to Democracy