AUB is hosting Aaron David Miller (the official in charge of “Arab-Israeli peace process” in the worst US administrations in history) under “Distinguished Peacemaker” headline. There is nothing peaceful about the American peace process which sponsored every Israeli war that took place from 1973. (thanks Marcy)
“I arrived at the bridge, went through the routinized luggage and security screenings and headed for the passport window. The woman in the occupying army at the window asked me questions when it was my turn. She asked me what I was planning to do in “Israel,” a word and question that makes my blood boil given that I was clearly trying to enter Palestine. Although I have spent extended periods of time living in Palestine since the summer of 2005, this is the first time I did not say that I was doing research as my reason for entering. This question normally got all sorts of questions, too, but at least it did not implicate my friends, something I had been unwilling to do before now. When I first went to Palestine in 2005 I used names of colonists, because I would much rather to have them questioned, but since 2006 when I adopted a policy of anti-normalization I refuse to speak to or normalize with a single colonist other than the occupying soldiers I am forced to deal with at the border and at checkpoints. I had arranged beforehand with my friend to say that I would be staying with him since he lives in Jerusalem and I wanted to make sure that I did not get one of those new stamps that said I can only enter the West Bank (my real plan was to stay in Doha, but I did not want to give additional names of friends). I was also asked how long I would be staying, and even though I had only planned to come for the weekend, I said I was not sure because I wanted to avoid getting one of the increasingly frequent stamps that is only for one week. I was worried that it would have implications for longer visits in the future. In the past I have always been given the three-month visa at the bridge (I’ve never entered the airport in occupied Lydd). But there have been occasions in the past when I wanted to come just for a wedding, just for the weekend when I was still given a three-month visa.” (thanks Marcy)
“Netanyahu’s actual policies on the ground there have helped Palestinians grow their economy and put in place their own rebuilt security force, which is working with the Israeli Army to prevent terrorism; Palestinian leaders Mahmoud Abbas and Salam Fayyad are as genuine and serious about working toward a solution as any Israel can hope to find…” (thanks Marcy)
“Jordan’s General Intelligence Department, or GID, warned members of the CIA bomber’s family not to speak to the press. Several analysts were also called and told not to make “inflammatory” statements. At least one local journalist working with the foreign media was hauled in for questioning.
Rohile Gharaibeh, a member of the opposition Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, says the government realizes how negatively the public views its involvement with the CIA. Gharaibeh says to express opposition to the government’s decisions in Jordan, though, is difficult. Opposition members, he says, are subject to harassment.” (thanks Marcy)
Lebanese Army issues a statement claiming that it fired at Israeli warplanes. This is like somebody bragging that he/she threw feathers at wild beasts, from 100,000 miles away. (thanks Marcy)
“For Golan Heights residents who want to join a future spouse in Syria, they too must sign on their honour to never return to the other side. Once they’ve crossed the border, they’re given a Syrian residency card which specifies that they’ve renounced their Israeli nationality. For spouses going in the other direction, they receive a renewable one-year residency permit for Israel.” (thanks Marcy)
“Israel and Jordan conducted a joint drill early Tuesday exercising rescue tactics in case of an earthquake, according to Army Radio. The drill was supervised by the Home Front Commands of each country in Kibbutz Mesilot.” (thanks Marcy)
“For the 31st time, Israeli Authorities demolished huts and removed tents used by the residents of the unrecognized Tawil Abu Jarwal Arab village in the Negev.” (thanks Marcy)
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