Sunday, November 26, 2006

The Second Palestinian Intifada:A Chronicle of a People's Struggle

This is an excellent chronicle about a book of the second intifada... ENJOY THE COMMENTS OF THE EXPERTS!

By Ramzy Baroud (Extracted of http://www.palestinechronicle.com/spi.php)

Few are spared [Baroud's] perceptive eye, and only the morally callous will fail to respond to his pleas to remedy the injustice that he exposes.Professor Noam Chomsky, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A compelling narrative of Palestinian victimization [presented] with candor and uncompromising integrity.Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian Legislator for the Jerusalem District
'Masterful prose. ... (A) scathing but heartfelt portrait.' Professor Norman G. Finkelstein, author of The Holocaust Industry

Description

The Second Palestinian Intifada: A Chronicle of a People's Struggle is Ramzy Baroud's comprehensive account of the momentous events of the last five years which shaped the political landscape not only of Palestine and Israel but of the entire Middle East region. Addressing the most controversial issues, including the alarming escalation in suicide bombings, and the construction of the Separation Wall, he reports on the huge rate of unemployment and hunger in the Occupied Territories' statistics so critical that NGOs compare their magnitude to African nations such as the Congo. From the brutality of the Israeli army to the ever-compromising nature of the Palestinian Authority, few are spared Baroud¹s thoughtful critique. The book is clear and concise, with one chapter dedicated to the major events of each year, and includes a comprehensive timeline.

Praise for "The Second Palestinian Intifada"

Hanan Ashrawi: "Ramzy Baroud's work is a unique fusion of heart and mind, of passionate commitment and analytical intellect, of profound introspection and expansive criticism. With searing honesty, Baroud has the courage to broach subjects that are often excluded from public scrutiny or buried under piles of prejudice, cowardice, and taboos. His volume presents a compelling narrative of Palestinian victimization without being defensive or apologetic, and with no attempt at disguising or denying internal weaknesses and shortcomings. In the same way, Baroud exposes Israeli culpability, American duplicity, and international abrogation of responsibility with candor and uncompromising integrity.

All those who seek to grasp the underlying realities of the Palestinian question and to gain a greater understanding of the turbulent Middle East must read this book. I must caution, however, that it is not for those who hide behind self-delusion, platitudes, or convenient sound bites. This book is for those who have the courage to seek the truth behind the facts and are willing to embark on an unconventional (and often uncomfortable) journey of discovery."

Noam Chomsky: "Ramzy Baroud's searching, sensitive and thoughtful writing penetrates to the core of moral dilemmas that their intended audiences evade at their peril. He calls on us to face our immense responsibility for the bitter suffering of Palestinians, shamefully ignored by those who are quick to condemn the violence it elicits.

He reminds us of things it is more convenient "not to see" or to quickly forget, such as the ruling of the International Court of Justice calling on all states to oppose Israel's illegal actions in the territories under military occupation.

"All states" includes the state that provides the crucial military, diplomatic, and economic support for these continuing atrocities, and the judgment extends to all of those who tolerate what Washington and its client do, either in silence, or worse, approval and apologetics.

He calls on Palestinians to refrain from criminal terror, however shameful their brutal mistreatment over decades, and to recognize the corruption and venality of the quasi-governmental structures that are leading them to disastrous submission to violations of their most elementary rights.

Few are spared his perceptive eye, and only the morally callous will fail to respond to his pleas to look into the mirror honestly, to question comforting beliefs that protect us from facing our elementary responsibilities, and to act to remedy the terrible misery and injustice that he exposes to our view, as we surely can."


Norman Solomon: "Ramzy Baroud offers clarity about what remains in the shadows of Western media coverage. He illuminates a process of propaganda that combines with political machinations and military suppression to violate the most basic human rights of Palestinian people.

The value of his Writings on the Second Palestinian Uprising can be appreciated as a refutation of the clichés and arrogance that so often turn ostensible journalism into rationalizations for Israeli policies.

The awful truths in Baroud's essays are unacceptable to those who prefer to rely on euphemism and evasion. For the rest of us, his willingness to expose what cannot stand the light of day is a real service to movements for human rights everywhere."

Norman G. Finkelstein: "In this curious blend of passionately subjective yet dispassionately objective journalism, Ramzy Baroud chronicles the unfolding of the second Intifada in masterful prose.

Almost no one is spared his caustic pen: neither the brutal rampages of Israelis through Khan Yunis and Jenin nor the dirty backroom deals of Palestinian leaders selling Israel cement for the Apartheid Wall. Only the Palestinian people, in their quiet, grim determination, emerge from Baroud's scathing but heartfelt portrait with dignity intact."

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Thursday, November 16, 2006

¿Quien soy?

ESTO SE TRATA DE UNA ASIGNACIÓN ACADÉMICA (TEMPORALMENTE) QUE NADA TIENE QUE VER CON EL TEMA DE ESTE BLOG. DISCULPAS A LOS LECTORES.



¿Quién soy?
- Como una imagen vale más que mil palabras (valga el cliché), he aquí mi esencia:



Según la filosofía oriental, el ying yang está fundamentado en en la dualidad de todo lo existente en el universo. Describe las dos fuerzas fundamentales, opuestas pero complementarias, que se encuentran en todas las cosas. Según esta idea, cada ser, objeto o pensamiento posee un complemento del que depende para su existencia y que a su vez existe dentro de ellos, deduciéndose de esto que nada existe en estado puro. Tampoco en absoluta quietud, sino en una continua transformación. Además, cualquier idea puede ser vista como su contraria si se la mira desde otro punto de vista. En este sentido, la categorización sólo lo sería por conveniencia. EL Yin Yang también significa dos fuerzas: YIN: el mal y YANG: el bien.

- ¿Qué me gustaría ser?

Juego a ser periodista y si el futuro político y económico de este país me lo permite, me encantaría fundar mi propio medio de comunicación. De lo contrario, sueño con trabajar en el exterior, en especial en una revista de investigación como Semana en Colombia, o Gatopardo en México.

Sin embargo, de poder elegir más allá, si las posibilidades lo permiten, trabajar en BBC en Londres, o Al Jazeera sería más interesante aún.

- ¿Con qué sueño?

En este momento mi mayor sueño está por hacerse realidad: Visitar la Asamblea General de la ONU en Nueva York. Muchos dirán que cualquier turista puede entrar al sitio, pero no se trata de eso. Se trata de sentarse en la silla de los representativos y negociar como se hace en la vida real.... y más aún, tratándose de trabajar en el Comité que defiende los derechos de los Palestinos: www.un.org/Depts/dpa/qpalnew/committee.htm

- ¿Qué busco?

Todavía no lo sé.... pero definitivamente sé lo que NO busco... eso sí lo tengo más claro...

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Israel attacks again Gaza Strip


Estados Unidos y Unión Europea rechazan ataque israelí en Gaza

Una familia entera y 40 heridos deja arremetida de artillería israelí en el norte de la Franja de Gaza.


Israel ataca de nuevo territorio Palestino

El día de ayer, el ejército israelí atacó la comunidad palestina de Benit Hanún situada al norte de la Franja de Gaza, dejando 18 muertos y cuarenta heridos. La comunidad internacional rechazó categóricamente los ataques calificándolos de crímenes de guerra por parte de la armada de Israel.

La Secretaria de Estado, Condolezza Rice, condenó la ofensiva israelí en Gaza y llamó al presidente de la Autoridad Palestina, Mahmud Abbas, para expresarle sus condolencias. Asimismo, la Unión Europea instó a las autoridades israelitas, al cese de sus operaciones militares en Gaza.

El presidente de la Liga Árabe, el Rey de Jordania, y el gobierno sirio, censuraron la embestida del Ejército de Israel en Palestina, calificándolas de "terrorismo de Estado" y de "una brutal agresión y salvaje masacre" en contra de la comunidad árabe.

El Gobierno de Israel, precedido por Ehud Olmert, lamentó las perdidas humanas que "accidentalmente" causaron los ataques militares en Gaza, y además ofrecieron ayuda humanitaria a la Autoridad Palestina.

Diversas ONG's israelíes, como Betselem, anunciaron que defenderían los derechos de los grupos árabes asentados en Gaza que fueron víctimas de la ofensiva militar del Gobierno de Olmert, ya que según ellos, el ataque a la población civil no puede calificarse como defensivo.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Palestine experts see little hope for peace

By: Will Youmans - The Arab American News
Leading scholars on Palestinian affairs gathered in Washington, DC this week to discuss the direction of events since the Oslo peace process and its demise. The Palestine Center’s annual conference was entitled “The Palestine Question since Oslo: Current Options and Future Strategies.”
With more than 100 attendees, the event brought speakers from around the world. The panels looked at internal Palestinian politics, and regional, as well as international, dynamics. It closed with a discussion about future strategies.
The Palestine Center is the educational component of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. This foundation gives humanitarian and education grants to organizations working in Palestine or on public education about Palestine.
The Jerusalem Fund’s Chairman, Dr. Subhi Ali, introduced the keynote speaker at this year's conference, UC-Berkeley professor of history, Beshara Doumani. He charted the present course of Palestinian politics. He looked at the contemporary history of the post-Oslo era. The divisions between Fatah and Hamas, the Israeli intention to impose a unilateral solution, and the failure of the United States to take a stand against Israel are key themes defining today’s situation.
Dr. Doumani argued that Hizbullah’s defeat of Israel marked a noted regional development. Along with the turmoil in Iraq, Israeli and American attacks are “yielding less dividends.”
Professor Doumani also put the Oslo period in historical perspective. He sees patterns. External powers put structural constraints on the Palestinians. He called these constraints “iron laws.” They stem from the asymmetry of power between Israel and the Palestinians.
Palestinians are still struggling with representation. Who speaks for the Palestinians, Dr. Doumani charges, is still an open question. There is no body that represents the three segments of the Palestinian population, the occupied territories, the refugees, and those with Israeli citizenship.
Lastly, Dr. Doumani asserted that “the Palestinian community in the United States has a special role to play.” He stated, “we have resources, we have capital and we are in a strategic position” in this country. He contemplated the need to unite the different segments of the Palestinian-American population. For example, he wants to bring together salaried professionals and small business owners. Also, different generations should work together.
Dr. Lisa Taraki, a professor at Birzeit University, discussed changes within Palestinian society. The influx of political elite and the onslaught of economic depression have made Palestine a class conscious place. The gap between rich and poor is increasingly marked by material displays of wealth.
Khaled Hroub, an expert on Hamas, talked about the regional dynamics as they impact Palestine. He saw Abu Mazen and Fatah’s leadership as allying with the “moderate,” or pro-American, states in the region. Hamas, on the other hand, is aligned with resistance.
The panel on the international arena looked at America’s role, European foreign policy, the United Nations, and the impact of the global media. The panel noted an alignment of the European and United Nations positions closer to that of the United States. This means these institutions are moving even closer to America’s unquestioned support for Israel. This, when combined with a global media incapable of telling the Palestinian story, offers little hope in the way of a meaningful negotiated settlement.
In the session on future strategies, several of the speakers agreed that the Palestinian Authority’s mandate collapsed and that the body should dissolve. It was a product of the Oslo peace process. Yet, it has outlasted its reason for existing. Under its leadership, Palestinians have only become worse off. They live under more checkpoints, more direct and indirect rule from Israel, and now face a gigantic apartheid wall the PA was incapable of preventing.
The real reason the PA should no longer exist, they argued, is that it provides a distraction from Israeli crimes. Every time Israel commits an egregious act, violates Palestinian rights, or stalls in implementing any obligations, Israel and the United States find some way to pin blame on the PA. It has become a powerless whipping boy that Israel and the United States prop up in order to avoid accountability

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of Palestinian People (CEIRPP)

This United Nations committee was created in 1975, by General Assembly (GA) resolution 3376, and its main aim was to recommend a “program of implementation to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable rights to self-determination without external interference, national independence and sovereignty; and to return to their homes and property”[1]. Lately, the GA has enlarged committee’s mandate and established the Division for Palestinian Rights as its secretariat.
Nowadays, the members of the Committee are: Ambassador Paul Badji (Senegal) as Chairman, Ambassador. Ravan Farhâdi (Afghanistan) and Ambassador Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz (Cuba) as Vice-Chairmen, and Ambassador Victor Camilleri (Malta) as Rapporteur.
The topics established on CEIRPP are the following: 1. the impact on Israel’s separation barrier on Palestinian Livelihoods; 2. Palestinian Women and Decision Making; 3. The Right to Basic Human Rights of the Palestinian Children.
About first topic, Relief Web (a web page administered by UN office for Humanitarian Affairs, and dedicated to launch information on humanitarian issues) published a special report named “The impact of Israel’s separation barrier on affected West Bank communities”, which indicates separation wall will affect Palestinians economic activities, social services, and commercial exchange, contributing as well to impoverish those Palestinian groups established on Israel-facing side of the barrier (according to UN estimations).
Topic two, Palestinian Women and Decision Making, is another issue concerning international community. In order to attend this requirement, the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in its recent report presented in February 2006 “Arab Women in Public Life and Decision Making”, assumed there is some progress on gender equality on Arabs territories, but many women have been facing several obstacles to obtain jobs, to participate on public offices and mass media, for example[2].
On The Right to Basic Human Rights of the Palestinian Children, topic three of the committee, Human Rights Watch has published a special investigation called “Discrimination Against Palestinian Arab Children on Israeli Schools” which indicates as one of the conclusions: a big disparity between Arab school system and Jewish system (in Israel there are two school systems), for example: Israeli Education Ministry invests less per student in the Arab system than in the Jewish school system, Palestinian Arab teachers on average have lower qualifications and receive lower salaries than non-Palestinian Arab teachers; many Palestinian Arab students who might otherwise have academic or professional aspirations are excluded from higher education by an examination system established firstly for the Jewish majority's school system--the point at which the two unequal systems converge.
Although these topics are quite important for CEIRPP and its activities for Arab Palestinians rights, there is an issue regarding to economic situation on West Bank and Gaza Strip, as The World Bank Group (WBG) has recalled in its recent publication: “West Bank and Gaza Update”. The WBG said these regions are facing the worst economic crisis in their histories, and if this situation continues throughout 2006, the report predicts the average of Palestinian’s incomes will fall between 40% and 67% by the end of the year. So, economic crisis on Palestinian areas should be the fourth topic to discuss on UN Committee, in order to evaluate and provide effective solutions in this regard.


[1] http://www.un.org/Depts/dpa/qpalnew/committee.htm
[2]http://domino.un.org/UNISPAl.NSF/1ce874ab1832a53e852570bb006dfaf6/046c1ef30a509daa852571840053230a/$FILE/escwa%20scu06pamphlet1.pdf