Grabbing That Land

Israel has carried out a de facto annexation of the Palestinian land northeast of the Jordan Valley and  has given it to the Kibbutz (Israeli collective community) Merav. The route of the separation barrier in the area has been changed so that the piece of land in question, about 1,500 dunams (375 acres ), would now be on the Israeli side.

Israel has previously built roads on and given Palestinian land in the West Bank to Jewish settlements, but this is thought to be the first instance of Palestinian-owned land being transferred to a community on sovereign Israeli territory.

I don’t even know what to say anymore. Land seems to be the Yin to Israeli’s Yang. Like the fat kid in Willy Wonka’s candy factory….it just can’t help itself. Its carving up the land like its Christmas Turkey at a homeless shelter…. But where the carver gets most of the turkey and the homeless are left with scraps. Its not even like they try and hide it. Even though these acts are wholly illegal and are in breach of international law they continue to flout the rules carte blanche. Why? Because they know they can get away with it as they have gotten away with it countless times before. At most, they might get a strongly worded statement by the UN and if their real unlucky, a resolution passed against them. Any tangible form of action will be simply shot down by its Baby Daddy the US. Go figure.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will not harm me.

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Disgraceful

Now I know this news story is a bit late in the posting, especially considering the events that have transpired recently in Egypt, but I feel so  strongly about this that I think it deserves to be addressed. 

3 days ago around 400 Christians where attacked whilst marching through the neighborhood of Shubra in Cairo to mark the end of 40 days of mourning after previous sectarian clashes claimed the lives of 27 people. Attackers reportedly threw rocks and broken glass at the marchers injuring 10 people. The attackers are suspected to be supporters of Gamal Saber, an ultraconservative Islamist candidate running in Egypt’s parliamentary elections.

This is an utterly disgraceful act. This absolutely sickens and angers me, the Christians who formed a human chain to protect the Muslims as they prayed during the protests highlighted the epitomy of what Egypt is and should be. It saddens me to see how fast some people forget the unity that brought down Mubarak’s rule. This tedious and utterly irrelevant divide that people construct  to create a feeling of ‘us vs. ‘them’ should be wholeheartedly condemned. Remember Egyptians come in all colors, creeds,  forms and beliefs. Discrimination is not what any of the BRAVE Egyptians who fought (and continue to fight) in Tahrir square stood for.

Divided we fall. United we stand

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Back Track

The Palestinian Authority has supposedly offered the United States and Israel a deal in which it would freeze all its current plans to achieve full membership for Palestine in various UN agencies until the end of January. In return for this freeze the United States and Israel would have to resume transferring funds (which they have currently halted) into Palestine.

Surprise surprise, once again we see the Palestinian Authority seceding to the pressure mounted on them. This is mainly because the pressure they have received from Israel and the US has been absurd to say the least. It especially absurd considering what the Palestinians are trying to achieve which is simply to be treated as equals (if only by title) on the world stage and therefore being granted basic recognition on par with any other state on this planet.  Nothing too radical or out of the ordinary there.

Though I do not claim to believe the situation the Palestinians find themselves in is an easy or simple one, I do think this move hinders rather than helps their plans. The fact that what they are asking is nothing short of the bare necessities is even more reason for them to stick to their guns and not allow Israel and the US to continue to dictate to them their every move. It is not them who are in the wrong so it shouldn’t be them who should be conceding. Most, if not nearly all, of the UN members are also sympathetic or in agreement with the Palestinians on their quest to be granted membership on the UN.

If the Arab Spring has taught us anything, its that the underdog can prevail.

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Revolution Lives On

At least five people have been killed in a violent assault by the Egyptian army and police to evict protesters from Cairo’s Tahrir Square. Hundreds of soldiers and police, backed by armored personnel carriers, used teargas, rubber bullets and batons to evict several thousand protesters from the square that was at the heart of the popular uprising that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak a mere nine months ago.

The mass protests were held to protest against the current ruling military Junta (Supreme Council of the Armed Forces) who are seen by many Egyptians to be preserving the institutional rule of the past and therefore threatening Egypt’s future. 

Now, the fact that Egyptians are still protesting isn’t something that should be simply decried. On the contrary, it should be something that’s in some way applauded. Why? Because in the run up to Mubarak’s toppling all the nay sayers could be heard saying something along these lines: ‘Even if Mubarak goes…nothing will change…someone will come in to replace him’. It would simply be a case of a different leader but the same type of leadership.

What has the recent protests in Tahrir shown? That the people who fought for this, bled for this, sacrificed for this WON’T let their efforts go to waste..won’t let their efforts get hijacked by a few enriched elite…won’t let the status quo rule again..won’t let their country slide backwards instead of move forwards…won’t let their children grow up in a world that was no different to theirs.

It’s dam well not perfect and its not easy, but no one who has studied revolutions or history would dare tell you any different.. but it’s all you have…. and by far..it is better then what you had.

In a revolution, as in a novel, the most difficult part to invent is the end ~ Alexis de Tocqueville

Nothing in life worth having comes easy

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Ripple Effect

In a surprising turn of events, Kuwait has seen itself embroiled in the midst of growing political crisis after dozens of anti-government protesters managed to storm their way into Kuwait’s parliament during a debate over efforts to question the prime minister about corruption allegations.The demonstrators managed to briefly chant before they were forced out as hundreds of others protested outside on Wednesday evening.

Opposition parliament members have sought to question Prime Minister Sheik Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah over claims that government officials illegally transferred money to accounts outside the Gulf country. But these attempts have been thwarted by pro-government lawmakers who have managed to vote down a request for the questioning. Undeterred, opposition groups have filed another motion to force another debate later this month. Looks like the effects of the Arab spring continue to dominate a far-reaching ripple effect throughout the region. It seems that it doesn’t matter who you are and where you are as a leader, your people will hold you to account sooner rather than later. The age old technique of ruling through fear or suppression is being eroded. A new awareness of what citizens are capable of has swept the region and its pace is nowhere near slowing. Its a welcome breath of fresh air to see people demand their overdue rights and hold those who rule to account through their actions and not just their hushed voices

People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people

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Begging It

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In a recent interview Yemen’s embattled President Ali Abdullah Salah vowed he will leave office ‘within 90 days’ of an agreement with the regional Gulf Cooperation Council. Yemen, like many countries in the region, has been swept up in the Arab spring and has for months been the scene of protests and violent crackdowns as the protesters demand the removal of Saleh after 33 years of holding office. During his interview President Saleh of Yemen said: “I will not hang onto power. Whoever hangs onto power, I think, is crazy”

Well this is awkward. I don’t know exactly how Saleh’s Baro-meter works when it comes to how long is to long for someone to hold office for….but 33? Come on, surely once you get into the double digits you must be thinking to yourself ‘maybe just maybe I’m pushing my luck’. When you have been in power long enough to see the fade of boys jeans trend start from waist high to barely-ankle high then you know you have overstayed your welcome. And is it just me or does Saleh seem to have the wrong definition of what counts as ‘hanging on’? Because as I recall this guy had massive unprecedented protests erupt on his streets on a weekly, if not daily, basis for months, then got attacked in his compound by a bomb, then because of said attack had to jet off to Saudi to have burn surgery, then had his country erupt into joyous protest when he left… BUT yet this guy still decided to return EVEN though no one was really missing him/asking about him/In the least bit interested in his existence. This is not forgetting the fact that Saleh has appeared on countless occasions to be on the verge of agreeing to hand over power only to change his mind last minute.

Hanging on to power? No no, Clinging-tightly-to-powers-legs-as-your-dragged-through-the-Mud-&-dirt….Yes.

Dignity Saleh… Get some.

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Owned

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Turkeys Prime Minister Erdogan recently stated that his country no longer has confidence in Bashar Al Assad’s regime in Syria. This new statement adds to the mounting pressure on Assad’s regime to end its brutal crackdown on its civilians. As the death toll continued to rise the Turkish prime minister urged Syria’s government to “turn back from the edge of the cliff”. Erdogan has also warned Assad that continuing this brutal crackdown threatens to place him on a list of leaders that are seen to “feed on blood.”

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It was also noted that during this statement Erdogan refereed to Bashar Al- Assad disrespectfully by addressing him by his first name. Consider yourself diplomatically owned Bashar. You know you have reached an all time low when even the basic diplomatic courtesy is not afforded to you by a former regional ally. I’m guessing someone spent their past Eid greeting card-less. If I were you I would de-activate my Facebook before it chooses to de-activate you.

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Forever Alone

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Two Sides of the Same Coin

Despite speculation that it would heed international calls to end the freeze it imposed on Palestine two weeks ago, Israel has decided to continue to refuse to pay the Palestinians the £100 million in duties it owes them. The £100 million are mainly composed of customs revenues Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinians under the interim agreement. The reason why a freeze was called in the first place was over Palestines application and further acceptance into UNESCO (Untied Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization).

Makes perfect sense doesn’t it. How dare Palestine even think to join this kind of twisted organization, which get this ‘Encourages international peace and universal respect by promoting collaboration among nations’. Pure Madness. Who does it think it is? A state? Seriously, at this point you would think there would be greater uproar at Palestine trying to integrate itself in the world governmental structure than if it was to declare another Intifada of sorts. 

The icing on the cake though had to be the Israeli officials explanation on Israel’s diplomatic approach to Palestinian negotiations which involves ‘both carrot & stick’ … In which of course by carrot he also means stick.

Priorities Israel…..Get them right.

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I’m Special

King Abdullah of Jordan has added to the growing pressure on Syrian president Bashar Al Assad to resign from his post over the continuing violent and brutal crackdown on civilians in Syria. This comes amidst recent decisions by the Arab League to suspend Syria’s membership this Wednesday. King Abdullah of Jordan stated that “if I were in his shoes, I would step down,”.

This is the first direct call for Assad’s resignation by any Arab leader in the region so on that regards this is a welcome step forward. But once again, we must not overlook the fact that Jordan itself has its own problems when it comes to the governmental structure that King Abdullah heads. Some of the problems we see in Syria politically are mirrored in its neighboring country Jordan. So as is typical of Arab leaders, and leaders in general, its easier to preach than to practice. And in that respect, King Abdullah is no different.

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People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

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Just the Two of Us

China and Pakistan have just announced plans to stage a joint military exercise to showcase their growing relationship in the mountains of the Punjab province. This comes at a time when Washington and Islamabads governmental ties are going through a real rough diplomatic patch. And as we all know nothing feels better after a recent split than to spite the Ex with heavy displays of PDA with your new beau. Meeeow. And just to rub some good old salt into the metaphorical wound an army official released a statement claiming that these displays of joint military prowess highlight, and I quote, how : ‘Pakistan-China(s) friendship is higher than the mountains and deeper than oceans’

And they say Romance is dead.

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