Defying Israeli Genocide at Home (in School) And Abroad (in Court)
by
Mohammed Omer, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs Photo:
Palestinian youth in the Gaza Strip. Although ignored by much of the
Western media, a battle which echoes the biblical story of David and
Goliath is taking place in The Hague. In the modern-day version, young
David is personified by a soft-spoken 15-year-old girl named Amira
Alqerem.
http://www.tadamon.ca/post/4450
Campaign launched against Portuguese water deal with Mekorot
Mekorot, the Israeli national water carrier, signed a "co-operative"
venture with EPAL, the Portuguese water company that serves 2.5 million
consumers in the country's capital and the south. The agreement claims
to safeguard the Portuguese water system against "terrorist threats",
building on Mekorot's alleged "expertise" in the area. Mekorot, like
many Israeli enterprises, is key in supporting and the apartheid
policies, depriving Palestinians of water in favor of Israelis. Bedouin
communities in the West Bank and the ’48, for example, are the subject
of a campaign of ethnic cleansing wherein Occupation forces evict them
from their homes, seize their livestock, and otherwise make life
impossible. Water plays a key role in this; communities in the West
Bank and the ’48 are cut off and denied access to the central water
system, while the tanks that they use to store water can be confiscated
or destroyed by Occupation forces.
http://stopthewall.org/worldwideactivism/2134.shtml
Ahmadinejad reiterates Iran's support for Palestinians
TEHRAN, Dec.13 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on
Sunday reiterated his country's overall support for the Palestinian
people, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. Ahmadinejad made
the remarks in a meeting in Tehran with visiting Palestinian Islamic
Hamas movement leader Khaled Meshaal.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/14/content_12641898.htm
Palestinian Christians call on world churches to take up BDS
December
12th, 2009-- Prominent Christian Palestinian leaders released a
historical Kairos document, calling on Churches around the world “to
say a word of truth and to take a position of truth with regard to
Israel's occupation of Palestinian land” on December 11. Unambiguously
endorsing boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) as one of the key
non-violent forms of solidarity that international faith-based
organizations are urged to adopt, the document affirms: "We see boycott
and disinvestment as tools of justice, peace and security …"
http://stopthewall.org/latestnews/2131.shtml
Palestinian Christians call on Westerners to reject Zionism
Israeli
settlers burn Quran in attack on mosque.Hundreds of Jewish settlers
angry at reduced settlement building burned pages of Islam's holy book
in an attack on a West Bank mosque as Palestinian Christians called for
sanctions on "evil" Israel and rejected Christian Zionism, press
reports said Saturday.
http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7688
Violence and Aggression
Soldiers beat young man in Al-Khalil Market
At
12:30 p.m. on 26 November 2009, Paulette Schroeder and Johann Funk
responded to street vendor's report that Israeli soldiers had beaten a
young Palestinian man as he made his way through the market towards the
Ibrahimi mosque.
http://www.imemc.org/index.php?obj_id=53&story_id=57373
Israeli forces storm Nablus village, search home
Nablus
– Ma’an – Israeli forces stormed a house in Beita in southern Nablus in
the West Bank early on Monday morning and overturned the property,
causing damage, eyewitnesses told Ma'an.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=246699
Detainees
Israeli forces arrest Palestinian mother of 5 prisoners
RAMALLAH,
Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces arrested a mother of five prisoners
in the West Bank city of Nablus early Sunday, a Palestinian prisoners'
rights center said. The soldiers broke into the house of Rab'a Belal
and detained the 65-year-old woman after searching her house in the
northern West Bank town, Ahrar center said in a statement.
Soldiers Kidnap Two Children In Northern Gaza
Israeli
soldiers invaded the Industrial Area located near the Erez Crossing,
west of Beit Hanoun in the northern part of the Gaza Strip and
kidnapped two children. One of them was released after several hours
while the second remained in custody.
http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=37202
Siege/Humanitarian Crisis
Two Gaza crossings open as four remain closed
Gaza
– Ma’an – Israeli authorities opened the Kerem Shalom crossing in the
south of Gaza and the Karni crossing in the north, while keeping the
Nahal Oz fuel pipeline crossing closed on Monday, a Palestinian border
crossing official said.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=246677
Arabs in the Service of Israel
Abbas's militias round up 150 Hamas supporters, summon 1,000 others
Militias
loyal to Mahmoud Abbas rounded up 150 Hamas supporters in the West Bank
districts in an unprecedented campaign of arrests to foil any possible
celebration of Hamas's inception anniversary.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO%2bi1s7T6mk%2fFf6l%2b5eNvnpmaQjujfaZbYa8b%2bKh56YcD79%2bLEG8swfrBzmrs8JuMgB64x%2ffKTqsI4IZ%2bzc7ChTASNTFvuDYKfdY4E3SXXSC30QQBI%3d
Egypt shuts down second Gaza car-smuggling tunnel
Bethlehem – Ma’an – Egyptian border guards shut down a tunnel on Sunday
used for smuggling cars into the besieged Gaza Strip, security sources
said. The sources told reporters that the opening of the tunnel was
300 meters from the border with the Gaza Strip. A strict closure was
imposed on the area before the tunnel was destroyed, the sources added.
It was the second tunnel built to smuggle cars to be shut down in as
many days.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=246652
Egyptian Forces Accused Of Shooting Asylum Seekers
Over
the past four years, more than 18,000 African asylum seekers have made
their way from Egypt into Israel in search of a gateway to Western
countries. But Israel has taken an increasingly hard line, asking Egypt
to do more to stop the refugees from crossing the desert border. Asylum
seekers say Egyptian security forces frequently open fire on them as
they try to cross the border.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121402289&ft=1&f=1009
Human Rights Abuses/Racism and Discrimination against Arabs
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef on Muslims: “Their religion is as ugly as they are”
“They’re
stupid. Their religion is as ugly as they are,” Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the
spiritual leader of Shas, said about Muslims last night during his
Saturday night talk. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef was referring to the fact that
a Jewish woman may remarry her husband after they have divorced only if
she has not married another man in the interim.
http://coteret.com/2009/12/14/rabbi-ovadia-yosef-on-muslims-%E2%80%9Ctheir-religion-is-as-ugly-as-they-are%E2%80%9D/
Jewish town won't let Arab build home on his own land
Aadel
Suad first came to the planning and
construction committee of the Misgav Local Council in 1997. Suad, an
educator, was seeking a construction permit to build a home on a plot
of land he owns in the community of Mitzpeh Kamon. The reply he got,
from a senior official on the committee, was a memorable one. "Don't
waste your time," he reportedly told Suad. "We'll keep you waiting for
30 years."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1134898.html
Lightrail through Arab towns pushed aside for Carmiel railway
A
plan for a light rail that would connect Arab towns in the Galilee to
Acre and Carmiel was scrapped by the transportation minister and the
minister for the development of the Negev and Galilee, Haaretz has
learned. Instead, the ministers are seeing an ordinary train line
operated by Israel Railways, which would not make a single stop in
important Arab areas.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1134900.html
The price of the 'price tag'
The
burning of the mosque is a link in the chain, a long, dangerous and
despicable chain, of actions the settlers themselves have deemed the
"price tag." Just as it was during the dark periods in the history of
the Jewish people, when the crowd took out its wrath at the authorities
on the Jews, so now do the settlers take out their wrath at the
construction freeze policy on their helpless Palestinian neighbors.
Hundreds of olive trees have been uprooted and burned, while fields,
cars and even homes have been set on fire - all the rotten fruit of
recent weeks.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1134920.html
The slope of Masada, Akiva Eldar
For
decades the settlers have been stealing the helpless peasants' land and
Israeli governments have been paving the settlers' roads. Every year
during the olive harvest, Jewish malefactors raid olive groves in the
West Bank, and the long arms of the security forces are too short to
assist the Palestinians. In the rare cases when they do catch the
culprits, a charitable judge "takes the circumstances into
consideration." But to set fire to a mosque - and on the Festival of
Lights? This time they have really gone too far. Even the president
cannot ignore such a "sinful act," as he described it. By the way, this
is the same Shimon Peres who as defense minister had the honor of
planting the first tree in the West Bank settlement of Ofra, most of
whose homes are built on private Palestinian land.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1134919.html
Refugees
Lebanon yields no justice to its stateless thousands
BEIRUT:
When Lebanon celebrated its anniversary as an independent nation on
November 22, a significant number of the country’s inhabitants had good
reason to feel left out. While governments the world over are
increasing their efforts to tackle the issue of statelessness, the fact
that tens of thousands of people living in Lebanon do not have a
nationality is still largely ignored.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=31&article_id=109752
Reactions to Mosque Attack
Youths stone IDF in Yasuf
Palestinians
say clashes break out over torched mosque during MK Talab El-Sana's
visit to area. Residents reportedly hurl stones at IDF soldiers, who
respond with rubber bullets, teargas. IDF says force only fired shots
in the air.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3819617,00.html
Political Developments
The Arab street - Ramallah - 14 Dec 09 - Pt 1
What's
life like behind Israel's wall, and will a freeze on Jewish settlements
lead to peace? The people of Ramallah on the West Bank have their say.
Haniyya: “Palestine Is Palestine, From The River To The Sea”
Palestinian Prime Minister of the dissolved Hamas-led government in
Gaza, Ismail Haniyya, stated Friday that Palestine is and will always
be the same to the Palestinians, from the river to the sea, and that
the Palestinians will always defend it.
http://www.imemc.org/index.php?obj_id=53&story_id=57362
Hamas predicts collapse of Abbas and his 'co-conspirators'
Anyone who wants to learn about the Palestinian Authority's
effectiveness in handling security issues relating to Hamas' military
and civil arms in the West Bank should have a look at a document now
being publicized on Hamas Web sites.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1134931.html
Hamas rally shows it still has strong Gaza support (AP)
AP
- Tens of thousands of Hamas supporters thronged downtown Gaza City
Monday to mark the 22nd anniversary of the group's founding, a massive
display that showed the Islamic militants still enjoy broad support
despite years of rule that have led to war, poverty and isolation.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091214/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_palestinians
Hamas marks 22 years in Gaza with massive celebrations
Hamas is planning to celebrate its 22nd anniversary today, with a large public rally and smaller parades.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1134902.html
Beilin urges U.S. envoy Mitchell to resign after 'year of failure'
Former
justice minister and Meretz chairman Yossi Beilin has called on U.S.
special Mideast envoy George Mitchell to resign, accusing him of having
"failed" in his mission to advance the peace progress.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1134734.html
Hamas: Mediator changed swap deal's stages
Senior group member Osama al-Muzaini does not anticipate breakthrough in negotiations in coming days.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3819456,00.html
Other News
U.K. reportedly issues arrest warrant for Livni
Opposition
leader Tzipi Livni on Monday canceled her participation in a Jewish
function in London, after a warrant for her arrest was issued over part
in last winter's Israel's Gaza offensive, Arab-language media have
reported.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1134978.html
Maariv’s defense analyst: Rabbis own the IDF
Didi Remez/Ofer Shelah - Coteret - The army’s combat units, and
particularly the infantry brigades, are full of religious soldiers and
officers, in numbers that far outnumber their part in the general
population. Some of the hesder yeshivas today are what the kibbutzim
and the military boarding schools were in the past.
http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=37196
Book in India: Israelis crooks, drug addicts
Catholic
priest in Goa publishes book on 'dealing with tourists from Israel,'
whom he calls 'druggies' that make real nuisance. He claims Israelis
behave this way because they 'go crazy from military service'.
No freeze on Palestinian suffering | Seth Freedman
Within minutes of our arrival in Tuwani,
in the south Hebron hills of the West Bank, an army Jeep rolled into
the village and shattered the mid-morning tranquillity. "We're turning
this place into a closed military zone," announced the stern-faced
commander to anyone within earshot. Brandishing his rifle in one hand
and a military document in the other, he proceeded to explain that "I
decide who can be here and who can't, and anyone who isn't a resident
has to leave immediately".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/14/settlement-freeze-palestinian-west-bank
Wall on Gaza Violates International Law
December 13, 2009 "Information Clearing House" -- The collusion between
Egypt and the U.S. to build a wall separating Egypt from Gaza not only
threatens Gazans' health and quality of life, already severely
deteriorated by the de facto Israeli blockade, it is a serious
violation of international law. According to the Israeli daily
Haaretz, Egypt is installing an underground metal wall 70-100 feet deep
along the border strip where Palestinians have dug a maze-like set of
tunnels to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. The construction of the
wall, carried out with the collaboration of the United States Army
Corps of Engineers, has been denied by the Egyptian government.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24171.htm
It’s the occupation, stupid / some thoughts on the Intifada’s 22nd anniversary
Last week marked 22 years to the first Intifada, the Palestinian
popular uprising which broke in Jebalia refugee camp following a deadly
car accident near the Erez Crossing on December 8th, 1987.
Surprisingly enough, I hardly saw any mention of this on the Israeli
media. It is not one of this nice “round’ anniversaries that editors
love, like 10 or 25 years, but given the importance of the Intifada –
alongside with the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, it’s probably the
central event of the decade in the Middle East – you would expect
something.
http://israelpalestineblogs.com/2009/12/13/it%E2%80%99s-the-occupation-stupid-some-thoughts-on-the-intifada%E2%80%99s-22ed-anniversary/
The Israeli Stranglehold
"Settlers attack West Bank mosque and burn holy Muslim books” was a
London Times headline on December 11, 2009. These attacks, together
with the demolition of Palestinian homes, the uprooting of
Palestinians’ olive groves, the innumerable checkpoints that prevent
Palestinians from accessing schools, work, and medical care, the
Israeli Wall that denies Palestinians access to the land stolen from
them, and the isolation and blockade of the Gaza Ghetto, are part of
the Israeli government’s policy of genocide for the Palestinians.
http://www.counterpunch.com/roberts12142009.html
For Palestinians, Every Day Is Kristallnacht, By Paul Craig Roberts
December 14, 2009 "Information Clearing House" -- “Settlers attack West
Bank mosque and burn holy Muslim books” was a London Times headline on
December 11, 2009., These attacks, together with the demolition of
Palestinian homes, the uprooting of Palestinians’ olive groves, the
innumerable checkpoints that prevent Palestinians from accessing
schools, work, and medical care, the Israeli Wall that denies
Palestinians access to the land stolen from them, and the isolation and
blockade of the Gaza Ghetto, are part of the Israeli government’s
policy of genocide for the Palestinians.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24176.htm
What Americans Need to know about Mordechai Vanunu
I'm not a traitor. I'm a man with a conscience who did what he did out
of a deep belief after much thought and many doubts. But I knew that I
had to do it, that I had no choice…somebody had to do it…I contributed
my share by making public what the public ought to know and they shut
my mouth behind the prison walls. -Mordechai Vanunu
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24177.htm
Grace Halsell – What Christians Don't Know About Israel
American
Jews sympathetic to Israel dominate key positions in all areas of our
government where decisions are made regarding the Middle East. This
being the case, is there any hope of ever changing U.S. policy?
President Bill Clinton as well as most members of Congress support
Israel-and they know why. U.S. Jews sympathetic to Israel donate
lavishly to their campaign coffers.
http://palestinethinktank.com/2009/12/14/grace-halsell-what-christians-dont-know-about-israel/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PalestineThinkTank+(Palestine+Think+Tank)
Another Childhood Nakba Memory
I remember it was one Sunday afternoon, sometime around one or two
o'clock, when my father barged running into the house shouting "we have
to leave, we have to leave". His face was all red; his eyes shined with
piercing outrage, uncertainty and incredulity.
http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=15611
Iraq
Mosul blast wounds 20 army recruits
An
explosion targeted the convoy of Fallujah police officer Major Saad Al
Shumari wounding seven bodyguards. 11 policemen were killed and four
others were wounded in Fallujah when bombs planted by unknown gunmen
exploded.
http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-41749-Mosul-blast-wounds-20-army-recruits.html
Iraq: No time to act after US tip before blasts
BAGHDAD
— The U.S. military had warned of an imminent attack hours before last
week's deadly bombings in Baghdad, but the tip came too late to act on,
Iraqi security officials said Sunday as outraged lawmakers pressed for
answers about Iraq's ability to protect the capital. Even news that 13
al-Qaida-linked suspects have been detained in connection with the
bombings did little to quell the angry parliament members, who shouted
down security officials as they tried to defend their forces.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hwK_CSpBxsNuVUEaDuOwmSSCiqGwD9CIKL202
Iraq will be ‘big player’ at OPEC meet: US diplomat
iraqoil
Iraq will be big player at OPEC meet: US diplomatIraq will be a "big
player" at OPEC's meeting in Angola later this month over its allocated
crude production quota following a string of deals with oil majors, a
senior US embassy official said on Sunday.
http://rawstory.com/2009/12/iraq-big-player-opec-meet-diplomat/
Iraqis oppose censorship laws - 13 Dec 09
Following
the fall of Saddam Hussein's dictatorship in Iraq, the country's
cultural scene witnessed a revolution and previously banned material
became widely available. Six years have passed since the Iraqi leader
was deposed and the government is placing new restrictions on books and
websites. However, some Iraqis fear that implementing such restrictions
is the beginning of more limits on their freedom. Al Jazeera's Omar
Saleh reports.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bTyh6WAs90&feature=youtube_gdata
SYRIA: Poverty suspected of fuelling child labour among Iraqi refugees
Source:
IRIN Aseel Ali*, aged 16, and her mother - both refugees from Iraq -
earn just enough (US$174 per month between them) in a Damascus
handicraft workshop to pay their rent and buy food.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/d53909ae7afc9724ee1df418f407bb21.htm
1.2 million Iraqis have fled to Syria, official says
Nearly
1.2 million Iraqis have fled their country for safety in neighboring
Syria, a high-ranking Syrian government official said. The Iraqis
fled following the 2003-U.S. invasion and the ensuing upsurge in
violence and absence of law and order. Syria’s Deputy Foreign Minister
Faisal al-Miqdad said Iraqi refugees, though a strain on his country’s
economy, had the right to enjoy public amenities like their Syrian
counterparts.
http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news\
2009-12-12\kurd.htm
Are deaths from violence in Iraq being under-reported?
BBC
Video Report: The Iraqi government is being accused of under-reporting
the number of people killed after weeks of deadly violence.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8407023.stm
Who is counting the bodies in Iraq?
Mr
Maliki's political reputation was built largely on his apparent success
in bringing violence levels down following the US troop surge in 2007.
Now, this image of a man who could keep Baghdad safe has been
tarnished.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8405894.stm
Lebanon
Hezbollah rules out war with Israel
Hezbollah
deputy leader sheikh Naim Qassem has ruled out a war with Israel, but
says the movement is fully ready to repel any assault by the regime on
the country. "We have an interest in adhering to resolution 1701,
since it certainly preserves the achievements of the resistance
[Hezbollah], and of Lebanon's forces," he told the Lebanese daily
Al-Akbar on Sunday.
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=113628§ionid=351020202
Fadlallah warns Iran of US conspiracy
Senior
Shiite cleric Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah on Sunday warned Iran
of an "impending American conspiracy about to engulf the Muslim world."
Speaking from his home in Beirut's Haret Hreik neighborhood, Fadlallah
warned Iranian leaders about what he called the "timetable put forth by
the Americans to negotiate Tehran's nuclear-generating capability,
saying.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=109741
Hariri visit seals a good year for Syria
Lebanese
Prime Minister Saad Hariri's proposed visit to Syria this month
concludes a year in which Damascus has rediscovered itself in world
affairs. While the anti -Syrian craze in Beirut been silenced, however,
broader issues, particularly regarding Israel, Iraq and Iran, will be
much more difficult to negotiate. - Sami Moubayed (Dec 14, '09)
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KL15Ak05.html
Afghanistan
US 'militarising' Afghanistan aid
A
number of aid organisations have told Al Jazeera they have turned down
funding from the US government as the money has strings attached to
military operations.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/12/200912126017915711.html
Why Do Airstrikes in Afghanistan Keep Killing Exactly 30 People?
On
Monday, the anonymous blogger Security Crank noticed something
interesting: all the U.S. and NATO airstrikes in Afghanistan seemingly
kill exactly 30 people every time. How can that be?
http://www.alternet.org/world/144509/why_do_airstrikes_in_afghanistan_keep_killing_exactly_30_people/
U.S. and Other World News
US refuses to allow UN inspectors to investigate its WMDs
The
United States said Wednesday that it remained opposed to international
inspections of biological weapon sites, even though it stressed its
commitment to a UN treaty covering such arms and invaded Iraq in part
over its alleged stalling of -- UN weapons inspectors.
http://rawstory.com/2009/12/refuses-inspectors-investigate-wmds/
Diplomat, scientist among 11 Iranians 'held by US'
The
Mehr news agency said the foreign ministry is "vigorously" pursuing
diplomatic means to obtain the release of the Iranians, three of whom
have allegedly been detained in countries outside the United States on
Washington's request.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091210/pl_afp/iranpoliticsusbritainfrancegermany
Judge finds Pentagon in contempt in Gitmo case
A
federal judge has found the Defense Department in contempt of court for
failing to videotape the testimony of a prisoner held at Guantanamo Bay.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jiU5cU3FJ8zNc-hV6xmfGWBBfMlwD9CGJON01
David Ignatius is mourning: the fingernail factory is dead
"Kheir
at his best was among the greatest Arab intelligence officers of his
generation. He ran a series of masterful penetration operations against
Palestinian extremist groups and, later, al-Qaeda. "He set the standard
for how we do it," said one former CIA officer who worked closely with him."
Don't you like it: those who ostensibly complain about the lack of
democracy in the Middle East, are themselves the ones who write tribute
to our executioners, killers, and torturers. He even portrays his
torture technique as a skill: "and I'm sure that it didn't get the
nickname "the fingernail factory" for nothing."
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2009/12/david-ignatius-is-mourning-fingernail.html
On Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Lobby: A response to Peter Beinart
At the risk of sounding self-congratulatory, one measure of the impact
that our book on the Israel lobby has had is the lengths that some
critics go in their attempts to discredit it. The latest entrant into
this field is recovering Iraq hawk Peter Beinart, who earlier this week
offered a new and truly goofy "refutation" of our argument about the lobby’s role in causing the Iraq war.
http://walt.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/12/08/on_afghanistan_iraq_and_the_lobby_a_response_to_peter_beinart
Iran to try detained US citizens
Hikers to face trial after entering the country "with suspicious aims", Tehran says.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2009/12/200912141328869437.html
Reshuffling the Cards? (I): Syria's Evolving Strategy
Syria’s
foreign policy has long been a contradictory mix of militancy and
pragmatism, but new dynamics create opportunities for the U.S. if it
does more to deepen its engagement. This Crisis Group report examines
changes in Damascus’s outlook and concludes that further shifts will
hinge on the regime’s assessment of the costs of its choices, both in
terms of domestic stability and regional standing. That, in turn,
largely will depend on what other parties do. This is the first part of
a Crisis Group report that analyses changes in Syria’s regional
approach and prospects for improved relations with Washington. The
second part with further details will be published shortly.
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=6434
Anti-Muslim graffiti found on French mosque
Assailants
scrawl Nazi slogans, hang pig feet on Muslim worship site in town of
Castres. French interior minister denounces attack calling it 'racist
desecration,' says will appoint clerk to address war on racism,
anti-Semitism.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3819444,00.html
