Edition 2: No. 3
Editorial comment
In this issue of Palestine Update (PU), we bring you news and views from a range of issues. There are news items on issues pertaining to the difficulties in forging ahead with the status of talks on a future Palestinian State. There is also a report on an inter-parliamentary fact-finding delegation that is set to visit Palestine to look into Israeli violations- an encouraging sign of an increasing assertiveness from parts of the international community to push forward with final status solutions. In stark contrast comes the report from the USA pledging generous financial guarantees to Israel disregarding its dismal human rights record. Our question is: Shouldn’t the US use its economic clout to compel Israel to sit at the table and move forward from what is a seemingly endless impasse?
We also offer you a think-piece from Ramzy Baroud, the well known Palestinian-American author and analyst who exposes the double-standards of the Israeli liberals who project themselves as ardent advocates of peace while clandestinely propping up racist ideas and systems. And finally, we share with you a video that assists one to visualise the horrors of the Israeli occupation for a grape farmer whose only aim is to make a decent livelihood and is up against unimaginable obstructions.
We encourage PU subscribers to send us your feedback on this issue as well as names of people who may be interested in our updates.
In solidarity
Ranjan Solomon
Editor
Israel’s Refusal to Present Borders with Palestinian State Marks End of Talks
The recent talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have reached a standstill, with the Israeli negotiators refusing to present borders between Israel and a future Palestinian state. With the deadline set for Thursday January 26 by Palestinian negotiators, and no progress having been made, the talks have been declared a failure.
For more read: http://www.imemc.org/article/62905
Inter-Parliamentary Union to Send Delegation to Palestine, Says Official
The Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has agreed to send a fact-finding delegation to the Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem to look into Israeli violations. The mission is expected to arrive in the Palestinian Territory in March and it is going to monitor Israeli violations of Palestinian rights.
For more read: http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=18806
U.S.Government Pledges $3.8 Billion in Loan Guarantees to Israel
U.S. officials promised to extend loan guarantees to Israel for the next three years. The $3.8 billion in loan backing is in addition to the $3 billion a year in aid given to Israel by the U.S. government.Israel is the only recipient of U.S. foreign заниматься aid and loans that is not considered a ‘developing’ nation, with an annual GDP of $235 billion ($29,800 per capita).
For more read: www.imemc.org/article/62899
The Puzzling Matter of the Israeli Liberals
In this insightful article, Ramzy Baroud, a Palestinian-American journalist, author, editor, and former Al-Jazeera producer argueshow “regardless of who may rule Israel, little change ever occurs in the country’s foreign policy. Winning parties remain obsessed with demographics and retaining absolute military dominance. They also remain unfailingly focused on their quest to initiate racist laws against non-Jewish residents of the state, and continue to hone the art of speaking of peace, while actually maintaining a permanent state of war.
For more read: www.palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=17728
AIC video: Portrait of a Palestinian farmer in Israeli-controlled Area C
Ali Soleiman Daoud lives in Beit Einun, which is two kilometers from Hebron in Israeli-controlled Area C. He struggles to make a living as a grape farmer. But he faces many obstacles: checkpoints where his crops are delayed for days on end, spoiling inside of trucks; restrictions on water usage–including a ban on wells; and prohibitions against building.
To view click: http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/topics/economy-of-the-occupation/3981-new-aic-video-portrait-of-a-palestinian-farmer-in-israeli-controlled-area-c
