palestine e news £1.50 / 2.00 Spring 2006 A fresh start —

or the end-game?

Zoe Robin Paul Hughes- Joseph Mars: Kealy: Smith: Massad: A vote for The future of Music from the Spielberg’s change UNRWA Motherland Munich

page 4 page 8 page 21 page 23 Activism: pages 16-20 Palestine Solidarity Campaign Box BM PSA London WC1N 3XX tel 020 7700 6192 email [email protected] web www.palestinecampaign.org  palestine news spring06

Contents 3 What price democracy? Hilary Wise sees hypocrisy in the response of Western governments 4 A vote for change Zoe Mars reports on the conduct of the elections in Palestine 6 Breaching the iron wall There are cracks in the wall of threats against Hamas, writes Graham Usher 7 Man of peace or war criminal? Julia Richards asks how Sharon will be remembered 8 Tough challenges, immense prizes Robin Kealy reports on UNRWA’s ongoing work with Palestinian refugees 10 Trade Unions make a difference Cover picture: Election Day in Bernard Regan takes heart from the lessons of history Qalqilya, © Zoe Mars 11 From kibbutz to Gaza ISSN 1477 - 5808 Kate Burton, kidnapped in Gaza, explains why she is staying put Also in this issue... 12 Church of England divestment vote Agrexo case page 13 Sue Plater comments on the recent Synod decision Architects stand up for justice Report on the formation of a new organisation in the UK 13 PSC speaks to the BBC Diane Langford reports on a meeting with the BBC’s Independent Review Panel 14 Update on Mordechai Ernest Rodker and Adeline O’Keeffe report on developments in Vanunu’s case 15 Larf or cry! Cartoons from East and West 16 PSC Annual General Meeting PSC on the web 17 Activism on all fronts News from branches around the UK 20 Pioneers for Palestine Riyad Tibi reports on the Al-Rowwad Theatre Group 21 Music from the Motherland Paul Hughes-Smith reviews recent CDs from Palestine 23 Reviews ... of Spielberg’s Munich, Hani Abu-Asad’s Paradise Now and Kate Barlow’s Visit Palestine Visit our website and keep up to date on issues surrounding Palestine. PSC’s website provides details of all of the palestine NEWS Palestine Solidarity Campaign latest campaigns and events. It A Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) publication.  Campaigning against the oppression and also has daily news updates and PSC does not necessarily agree with all opinions dispossession suffered by the Palestinian people extensive searchable directories expressed in the magazine. of articles on Palestine. The E-mail [email protected]  Supporting the rights of the Palestinian site’s resource section provides people and their struggle to achieve these The editorial team many downloadable documents, Editor: Hilary Wise rights including the Right of Return in line with including maps and pictures. Victoria Brittain, Sarah Colborne, Diane Langford, UN resolution 194 There’s also a comprehensive Mike Marqusee, Glen Rangwala, Max Watson and  Promoting Palestinian civil society in the list of media contacts, so each John Yandell. time you hear biased reporting interests of democratic rights and social justice

on Palestine, you can promptly Design and layout Lithoprint Ltd: [email protected]  Opposing Israel’s occupation and its complain to the right people! aggression against neighbouring states If you would like to contribute or respond to one of the articles in this issue please write to:  Opposing anti-semitism and racism, including The Editor, Palestine News, Box BM PSA, the apartheid and Zionist nature of the Israeli www.palestinecampaign.org London WC1N 3XX state spring06 COMMENT AND ANALYSIS palestine news 

violence’ — addressed solely to Hamas. And yet Israel’s crimes over the years — hundreds of thousands of refugees, tens of thousands of deaths, thousands What price of homes demolished, land expropriated, livelihoods destroyed — make Hamas’ efforts at retaliation appear positively puny. Finally, Hamas is being called upon to ratify all the agreements the previous democracy? government signed with Israel — the very agreements which have led to the present Hilary Wise sees sheer hypocrisy in the parlous situation. The fact that Israel failed to honour the Oslo Accords — which response of Western governments presumably renders them null and void — is passed over in silence. Moreover, s soon as the results of the recent right to self-defence until they liberate the one of Israel’s immediate responses to elections became clear, jokes homeland.” the election results was to tear up the started flying around Ramallah: They see the end of occupation as a agreement by which it is obliged to pay half the barbers in the Occupied prerequisite to negotiations with Israel, but $54 million a month in tax revenues to the TerritoriesA would go out of business; all they are prepared to institute a truce — for PA. So much for existing agreements. the taxis would have to be resprayed years if necessary — in the interim. The Israeli leadership have also joked, an Islamic green… and so on. Like Hamas has stated its intention of but with deadly intent. At a meeting of many jokes, these undoubtedly mask an forming a broadly based coalition, the Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, advisor underlying nervousness. However, given committed to internal reform, the rooting Dov Weissglas, and security and military that many Palestinian Christians and out of corrupt practices and the pursuance chiefs, everyone agreed on the need Muslims dedicated to a secular, nationalist of the rights of the Palestinian people to impose an economic siege on the political programme voted for Hamas, and according to international law. Palestinian Authority. Weissglas provided even stood for election on their platform, For its part, Israel is seizing another the punch line: “It’s like an appointment one must assume they do not believe that chance to exploit western islamaphobia. with a dietician. The Palestinians will get a an extreme islamist regime will result. Netanyahu, leader of the Likud party, was lot thinner, but won’t die.” The participants The truth is that the Palestinian positively euphoric at the results: “Today reportedly rolled with laughter (Ha’aretz people have rejected the results of Hamastan has been formed, a proxy of 19.2.06). years of compromise and phoney peace Iran in the image of the Taliban.” Olmert, processes. Instead of withdrawal they head of Sharon’s newly formed Kadima “Israel is seizing another have seen settlement expansion, a party, declared that they would formally tightening of the Israeli grip on their annex all the major settlement blocs and chance to exploit Western water resources, the building of the Wall the Jordan Valley to Israel. Neither our on Palestinian land and of settler-only government nor the US administration saw islamaphobia” roads, and the deaths of thousands fit to comment on, let alone condemn, this more civilians. Through all this, the outrageous statement. Will Europe really fall into line with Palestinian Authority had the trappings On the contrary, they lined up yet again Israel and the US, and try to starve the of government, but no power, leading not behind Israel, making a series of absurd Palestinian people into submission, after just to humiliation but also to infighting and demands on the new leadership. such strongly supported and well-run widespread corruption. One key demand is that Hamas should democratic elections? If so, what sort This dead-end has been rejected by ‘recognise Israel’. Setting aside the fact of message would that send to the the Palestinian people, who have voted that Israel has never recognised Palestine, world about our respect for democracy? in a party committed, like the PLO before but has striven to make a Palestinian They would certainly not get Hamas to Oslo, to genuine liberation. state physically impossible, which Israel capitulate; as they have stated clearly: Khaled Mish’al, a political spokesman is being referred to? The Israel within “We will not sell our people or principles for for Hamas, has made a number of clear the UN-approved borders of 1948 (54% foreign aid”. statements about Hamas’ position.They of Palestine)? The area occupied after The new Palestinian leadership have refuse to give up the armed struggle until the ethnic cleansing of 1948 (78% of put the ball firmly in Israel’s court. It a just settlement is reached (the ANC’s Palestine)? The area including the current will of course refuse to play — unless position in South Africa), declaring that: settlements (85%)? Or the area claimed there is international pressure, either at “Resistance is a right enshrined by divine by many Zionists as the Promised Land government level, through sanctions, or books and international laws and any (100%)? from the grass roots, through boycott and people under occupation have every A second demand was to ‘renounce divestment.

PSC PATRONS  John Austin MP  Tony Benn  Victoria Brittain  Julie Christie  Caryl Churchill  Jeremy Corbyn MP  Bob Crow  William Dalrymple  Andy Gilchrist  Lord Gilmour of Craigmillar  Revd Garth Hewitt  Dr Ghada Karmi  Bruce Kent  Karma Nabulsi  Corin Redgrave  Dr Rosemarie Said Zahlan  Keith Sonnet  Ahdaf Soueif  Baroness Tonge of Kew  John Williams  palestine news COMMENT AND ANALYSIS spring06 A vote for change Zoe Mars reports on the Jerusalem is shrinking inexorably. devastating effects of the wall, so Another searing experience is valiantly resisted but now entrenched conduct of the elections in Kalandia — the big checkpoint and brutally cutting off so much between Jerusalem and Ramallah. A agricultural land). Palestine couple of years ago it was a chaotic We had already seen evidence of wasteland, a seething mass of election fever everywhere: posters, our of us from PSC went to join queueing people and vehicles. Now it rallies, long and animated TV and radio the large band of international is a technologised corridor of bristling debates. Campaigning was supposed observers of the recent legislative steel turnstiles and remote guards to stop 24 hours before the election, elections. We were there to who watch screens and bark orders, but in fact it did not. (It was noted Fsupport the Palestinians, to judge the all under the menacing presence afterwards by the CEC that perhaps legitimacy of the process, and to report of the Separation Wall with its ugly this rule needs to be re-thought on Israeli obstructions. watchtowers. — there are certainly other countries Some of us had visited Palestine where it does not apply.) There was recently, but seeing the changes a national holiday for ‘Democracy of even the last few months was Day’ and we found a universal festive shocking. However much you read The electoral process atmosphere and seas of flags and about the wall, the checkpoints, the For the international observers, there banners, most prominently the brilliant relentless de-Palestinisation of East were three stages to the election green of Hamas and lemon yellow of Jerusalem, actually seeing the ground process. First, very good briefing Fatah. that is being lost and the ruthless meetings with the UN-supported Visiting the polling centres was a apparatus of oppression is chilling. We Palestinian Central Elections very impressive experience. We saw spent our first night in the wonderful Commission where the new system the old and the young, the occasional dilapidated Palestinian New Imperial for these second legislative elections disabled person, and large numbers hotel, near Jaffa Gate in the Old City. was explained. In 994 polling centres of women — most coming confidently This is the hotel whose ground was in the16 electoral districts (5 in to vote alone. And we were warmly sold a couple of years ago by the Gaza, 11 in the West Bank, including welcomed everywhere. We were not Israeli-recognised Orthodox patriarch. Jerusalem), all voters were given surprised to learn afterwards that the Now the Israelis are attempting to two ballot papers, each relating to participation rate was 78 per cent. evict the manager, and some 18 shops half the 132 seats in the Legislative Our overwhelming impression, as in the same area are affected too. Council. On the first, people voted for reported by all the other observers, With such events, and continuous one of 11 national party or group lists, including big delegations from the house demolitions, Palestinian East including Fatah and Hamas (standing Carter Commission, the EU and the as ‘Reform and Change’), with names Canadian government, was that from the lists elected by proportional the process was meticulously well Results representation, and each list containing organised everywhere, with four or five a proportion of women. The second staff — usually teachers — overseeing Change and Reform (Hamas) 74 paper listed individual local candidates, the checking of IDs, the inking of Fatah 45 either from parties or independents fingers, the issuing and explaining of Martyr Ali Abu Mustafa 3 — with a varying number to be elected the ballot papers and the voting behind The Third Way 2 by majority vote for each district screens. We encountered only one The Alternative 2 according to population size, and with query by a local person in one polling Independent Palestine 2 a total of 6 reserved for Christians (2 station — over the numbers of voters Independents 4 each in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and registering as illiterate and coming to 1 each in Ramallah and Gaza). vote with assistants. But we had no Total 132 The second stage was Election Day means of judging this, and, as the CEC itself. We were not directed where observed, it is an individual’s right to Marwan Barghouthi, serving a multiple life sentence to go, but given a rough indication of register as illiterate, so this must be in an Israeli jail, came top of the Fatah list. In all, 15 which areas needed more coverage. catered for. The individual concerned political prisoners were elected, 11 of whom were Our PSC group decided to go to was helped to register a formal Hamas candidates. Qalqilya — the journey from Ramallah complaint. Of candidates well-known in the UK, Mustafa inevitably made circuitous by road The CEC de-briefing with other Barghouthi was elected as a member of Independent closures but negotiated pragmatically observers after the elections seemed Palestine and Hanan Ashrawi as a member of The by our taxi driver. We spent an to show that specific (as opposed to Third Way. average of 40 minutes in each of 8 routine) Israeli obstruction was largely polling stations — four in the town and not evident, and checkpoints could For detailed results see: four in the villages of Habla, Azzun mostly be passed on this one day. www.elections.ps/template.aspx?id=291 and Jayyous (where we also saw the The extreme exception was the Old spring06 COMMENT AND ANALYSIS palestine news  p hoto.com .tourb i llon a qu i er: www Anne P

Ramallah on Election Day

City of Jerusalem. Not only had the very clearly the accumulating largest occupation. Inevitably the Palestinian majority of the Palestinian population total for Hamas, which was then also Authority is judged to have been not even been allowed to register by reflected in the candidate voting. We unable to deliver, both politically and the Israeli authorities; those who were emerged 2½ hours later convinced that in terms of improved living conditions allowed to vote had to do so in six we had seen the early evidence of a for ordinary Palestinians, over more Israeli post offices, where capacity general Hamas lead. But when we went than a decade. The widely voiced was very limited and privacy non- into a café in town and reported this protests at corruption, besides being existent. This of course is a grotesque news, no-one believed us and we were aimed at particular individuals, are abuse of political rights, unfortunately told this district was unrepresentative. also a product of deep anger at the explicitly agreed in the Oslo accords In fact it was only during the next paralysis and semi-collaboration which (just one more gross flaw in that day that the real situation of Hamas’s occupation creates. disastrous document). This meant that victory became clear, a result which As many have pointed out, the voting was again low in the Old City, was received with the force of a visible capacity of Hamas to organise as Jerusalemites feared having their seismic shock — to Fatah candidates welfare services, and to make a residential status jeopardised if it was in particular. We had talked to a good difference to many people’s lives is known by the Israelis that they had many people before the election and immensely attractive, whilst Hamas’s voted, and how they had voted. no-one predicted less than a small promised refusal to have dealings with Finally, there was the count, which Fatah lead or a neck-and-neck result. the Israelis must hold out the prospect took place in the polling stations Clearly a good many traditional Fatah of renewed self-respect and means of themselves. As observers we were supporters and a significant number resistance. This again focuses a very allowed to watch this along with of Christians in the event voted for bright light on the nature of government the observers from the parties, as Hamas. under occupation. As Fatah is long as we were prepared to stay beginning to say: ‘Let them try — let behind closed doors for the long and them find out you can’t have anything painstaking process. We watched a The election results under occupation, not electricity, not count in Ramallah, after we arrived Our observer group all felt that it water, transport or minimal movement back from Qalqilya, and it was a was and is a very positive outcome: of goods, without negotiation and riveting experience. The votes for genuinely democratic elections accommodation with the Israelis’. This the lists were counted first, with each supported by the vast majority of is certainly a bitter truth, an exposure ballot paper shown to all present, and the population. It is also an act of of what occupation really means, the votes marked up on the blackboard resistance and a howl of anguish and a desperate challenge to a new in 5-barred gates. So we could see against the pain and injustice of government in the coming months.  palestine news COMMENT AND ANALYSIS spring06

to resolve any dispute between the presidency and the parliament, including the right of the president to “cancel any Breaching the law approved by the new parliament on the grounds that it is unconstitutional”. Newly elected Hamas member for Hebron, Abdul-Aziz Dweik, was limpid as to the political motive behind the move. “This law means giving full powers to iron wall President Abbas to dissolve parliament any time he wishes,” he said. Since its election victory Hamas has been threatened For now, Hamas appears to be meeting the threat of destabilisation and with sanctions and destabilisation — but there are Abbas’s “bloodless coup” with diplomacy, seeking “a firm Arab and Islamic position cracks in the wall, writes Graham Usher to confront the challenge”, says Hamas MP for northern Gaza Mushir Al-Masri. n 13 February, quoting officials The first two assumptions smack of It has already scored one triumph, and diplomats, the New York wishful thinking. But there are ominous though not yet from the Arab and Islamic Times stated that the US and signs that Israel and the US may be on to position. Israel were “discussing ways to something with the third. On 8 February Russia broke ranks Odestabilise the Palestinian government so Since the elections on 25 January, with the US-led moratorium on Hamas by that the newly elected Hamas officials will Abbas has amassed power in his hands announcing it would invite a delegation fail and elections will be called again”. of almost Arafatian dimensions. In a from the newly elected Palestinian The preferred means were not (as series of “presidential decrees”, he government to Moscow, probably yet) dirty tricks and coups of Chilean has placed the Palestinian Authority’s before the end of the month. “Our and Iranian vintage. Rather they were security, financial and media institutions position concerning Hamas differs from campaigns of economic sanctions and under his ultimate authority, despite a the American and Western European political isolation that would either force Palestinian constitution which states that position. The Foreign Ministry of the Hamas to surrender to Israel’s terms all must be shared with the elected prime Russian Federation never declared or collapse through being unable to minister. Hamas a terrorist organisation,” said govern. “The point is to put this choice Russian President Vladimir Putin. Hamas on Hamas’s shoulders. If they make the expressed its “deepest appreciation”. wrong choice, all the options lead in a “Since the elections Abbas Putin has reportedly assured the bad direction,” said one Western diplomat has amassed power in his US and Israel that Russia will use the quoted in the New York Times. meeting to impress on Hamas the The plan rests on questionable hands of almost Arafatian importance of meeting their conditions. premises. The first is that Palestinians dimensions” Hamas will listen, while reasserting its voted for Hamas for reasons of condition, rehearsed by its political leader governance rather than out of In the last session of the outgoing Khaled Mesh’al in an interview with a appreciation for the armed struggle it Fatah-dominated parliament on 13 Russian newspaper on 13 February. “If waged or that successive Fatah-led February, two more decisions were taken Israel recognises our rights and pledges “peace processes” had only deepened to tighten Abbas’s grip. The first was the to withdraw from all occupied lands, Israel’s neo-colonial control of their lives. appointment of four Fatah loyalists as Hamas, and the Palestinian people with it, Another is that while Hamas won a heads of the PA’s personnel, salaries will decide to halt the armed resistance.” majority of parliamentary seats, it did and pensions, government comptroller But the critical achievement for Hamas is so with a minority of votes, with the departments as well as the new post of that the meeting is unconditional. implication (or hope) that Palestinians “administrative chief” of the parliament As such it strengthened Hamas’s hand will have little tolerance for a government — all critical portfolios for Hamas if it is to as its delegation embarked on a tour of that brings only economic hardship and be true to its election promise of bringing the Arab and Islamic world that included political ostracism. The third premise is “change and reform” to government. stops in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran as that Abbas and Fatah will be party to this The second was to grant Abbas well as Jordan and Malaysia. It may even barely disguised scheme to subvert the the prerogative to appoint a new nine- open the doors to non-Islamic countries democratic will of their people. judge constitutional court with the power like France, Spain and South Africa. At the very least it will serve as leverage In a statement from his prison cell to the Palestinian Legislative Council, Marwan Barghouti, with Fatah as the two parties discuss leading Fatah member, emphasised the need for unity: the formation of the next Palestinian government: will Fatah agree to unity “This is not only for us here, but for our national homeland, the exiles, and our ability to democratically coexist. We must remember the holiness of Palestinian blood and it must in line with the Palestinians’ democratic never be shed among us. choice and nationalist sentiment? Or will it subvert that sentiment by agreeing to be “We aspire to creative cooperation between the deputies and the different blocs, for the a small cog in a larger Israel-US wheel? sake of achieving what our great nation, which granted us this privilege and confidence, wants of us… We will be fair and work as partners, as we were raised to be: partners in the field, and partners in the Parliament.” A longer version of this article was published (For full statement see PSC website) in Al-Ahram Weekly, 17 February. spring06 COMMENT AND ANALYSIS palestine news 

developed by every regime since 1967, they were greatly extended under his reign, especially in and around East Jerusalem. Man of peace or Redeployment from Gaza — much vaunted as a huge concession and a brave gesture of peace — still left it as the largest open-air prison in the world, with access controlled by the Israeli army. It was in line with the longstanding policy war criminal? of maximising Israel’s territory while minimising the number of Palestinian Julia Richards asks inhabitants. The 1.3 million inhabitants of Gaza were just too tough a nut to crack. how Sharon will be But as the 8000 settlers were being removed from Gaza, twice that number remembered were being placed in the expanding West Bank settlements (a move largely n 9 September 1994, on the front unremarked by the Western media). page of the Israeli daily Ha’aretz, However, the crowning glory of his a photograph was published of career will perhaps be seen, in retrospect, an order to ethnically cleanse the as the 250-mile long Wall, cutting deep villageO of Qibya in 1953. It included the into the West Bank, in defiance of a strong sentence: “Objective: to attack the village ruling by the International Court of Justice, of Kibiya and cause maximal damage to and a UN resolution. life and property”. The last six words were As a politician, Sharon will be heavily underscored, and the order was remembered for introducing — or signed by Major Ariel Sharon, then head reintroducing — unilateralism as the of the infamous 101 Special Unit. In the keystone of Israeli policy. Not since Golda event, 69 men, women and children were Meir’s famous statement that “There is murdered. East Jerusalem in 2000 with 3000 armed no such thing as a Palestinian”, has the Sharon’s enthusiasm for such police, which sparked the Intifada, was ethos of denial been more mainstream in operations was to be a recurring theme in symptomatic of the provocative tactics he Israeli politics. He totally refused to talk his career. was to use again and again. Whenever seriously to any elected Palestinian leader, In 1971, his troops destroyed 2,000 a truce with the armed groups in Gaza even Abbas, his preferred candidate for homes in Gaza, uprooting 12,000 looked like holding, he would execute President, in order to continue colonisation Palestinians and making them refugees a swift, brutal incursion into a densely with a free hand. for a second time. populated area or undertake a targeted He was able to exploit the Bush In 1982, as Minister of Defence, assassination, kick-starting a response administration’s unprecedented eagerness he invaded Lebanon and besieged its which could then be used as justification to rubberstamp Israel’s every move, capital, Beirut, for nine weeks, cutting off for the next land-grab or the next collective to the extent of burying the two-state all water, electricity and food supplies punishment. solution that was the cornerstone of the and bombarding the city with thousands Roadmap — with the blessing of Bush and of bombs and at least 60,000 shells. “His ‘private visit’ to Congress. The corpse of the Roadmap is Independent estimates put the death toll at still being flourished, by the EU, Israel and 12,000. In all, over 20,000 Lebanese and the Temple Mount was the US, but Olmert’s latest declaration on Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces incorporating the West Bank settlements during that invasion. symptomatic of the and the Jordan Valley into Israel make it The highlight of Sharon’s Lebanon provocative tactics he was to clear that any Palestinian ‘state’ would be campaign was the slaughter of nearly a mere collection of ghettos. 2,000 men, women and children in the use again and again” The latter part of Sharon’s career was Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and dogged by accusations of corruption and Chatila. Although the Israeli Kahane Since Sharon’s rise to power, 5000 shady financial dealings. Just before he Commission found him responsible for the Palestinians have been killed, thousands was hospitalized, it had been announced massacre, a man of such proven sterling of acres of olive groves and orchards that the Israeli police possessed evidence qualities could not spend long in the uprooted, thousands of homes destroyed, pointing to an illegal USD 3 million transfer political wilderness. together with water and electricity supplies. to the Sharon family. But this will no doubt As head of the far-right Likud party, He was careful too to target Palestine’s be seen as insignificant, next to his military even before he became Prime Minister, embryonic administrative infrastructure: and political triumphs. Sharon called on the government to “run land records, school and medical records. This, then, is the ‘man of courage and and grab as many hilltops as possible” Hand in hand with the destruction went peace’ we are asked to mourn. We will in the Occupied Territories – a policy he the colonisation of the West Bank and soon have to suffer the spectacle of world was able to supervise personally when he Gaza, with a population now standing at leaders, including our own Prime Minister came to power. about 450,000 illegal settlers. Although and Foreign Secretary, visiting Israel to His ‘private visit’ to the Temple Mount in the colonies had been established and genuflect at his shrine.  palestine news COMMENT AND ANALYSIS spring06 Tough challenges, immense prizes

narrower mandate than other UN organisations, donors, NGOs, Robin Kealy reports on agencies of a comparable size, and host Governments, the Palestinian UNRWA’s ongoing work with lacks an effective external governance Authority/PLO and the Israelis. UNRWA structure. So although there has for the cooperated fully and openly. Our review Palestinian refugees — and last few years been a lively and positive was, as it happens, carried out just after dialogue on reform between UNRWA the retirement of Peter Hansen, who for suggests some potential and donor states (most of UNRWA’s nine years as Commissioner-General budget comes from voluntary, not was a strong and determined advocate avenues for a just solution assessed contributions) there was a of UNRWA and defender of his staff feeling that the process — and ultimately and the refugees for which they were amas’ recent victory in donors’ commitment — would benefit responsible. Palestine has sent a shock- from a clearer understanding of how I hope that our report will help the wave throughout the region UNRWA operates, new C-G, Karen Abu Zayd and her and far beyond. Many predict “To set aside plans, coordinates colleagues as they reform UNRWA and thatH the so-called Peace Process may and prioritises over modernise its corporate culture. We now be put into cold storage, perhaps the issue of the the use of its all too made recommendations on: even for another generation, and that limited resources. the best that the Palestinians can refugees would We visited all l UNRWA’s internal and external hope for is a limited series of unilateral five fields (West communications Israeli steps, falling far short of the be dangerous, Bank, Gaza, l its senior structure establishment of a viable, independent Jordan, Lebanon l the role of the Commissioner- Palestinian state. impractical and Syria) and met General If so, this could condemn a fourth and morally large numbers of l UNRWA’s human resources generation of refugees to join the UNRWA staff at all — 25,000 staff are a huge asset to three who have already waited for up unacceptable” levels, refugees, preserve and develop! to fifty years for the implementation international of UN General Assembly Resolution Taking account of political realities, 194 of 1949 which provides for their we assumed that UNRWA needs to right of return to their homes, or for plan at least for the medium term, compensation. given the present state of negotiations. For fifty years, too, the refugees We also stressed that only a just and (currently 4.2 million registered with the comprehensive peace can improve the UN, of whom 1.3 million live in refugee life of the refugees, however efficient camps) have been in large measure the and well supported UNRWA might be. responsibility of UNRWA (the United So what are the prospects for Nations Relief and Works Agency), who the refugees in Final Status talks? administer their camps and provide Positions on both sides have, on the medical aid, humanitarian relief, face of it, hardened over the last four education and social services. years, and negotiators may be tempted As British Consul-General in to try to ignore the issue, in the hope Jerusalem from 1997 to 2001, in that if compromise can be reached addition to my core duties as Britain’s on borders, security, settlements and representative to the Palestinian Jerusalem, the refugees can effectively Authority, I was also effectively be set aside. This would be dangerous, Permanent Representative to UNRWA, impractical and morally unacceptable. whose headquarters were in Gaza, with The refugee issue is certainly a secondary base in Amman. difficult. Any conceivable solution will Last year I and a colleague, Geoff be expensive, and hard compromises Haley, undertook a comprehensive will be required. But agreement would review of UNRWA on behalf of DFID have immense symbolism, leading to an (Britain is the second biggest bilateral end to all outstanding claims, in effect donor to UNRWA) and a number of a ‘Solha’ — a formal burying of the other major donors. UNRWA has a Refugees in 1948 hatchet — and Israel’s acceptance in spring06 COMMENT AND ANALYSIS palestine news  the region, the prize offered under the initiative of the then Jeff Halper Crown Prince Abdullah at the 2002 Beirut Arab Summit. So both sides and Ghassan need to move beyond name-calling and the public repetition of U r s ul a Pretzl i k Andoni their red lines, and negotiate without pre-conditions on this, nominated as on all the other final status issues. The wider the range for Nobel of issues on the table, the better the chances Burj AlBurajne camp, 2004 of reaching an overall Peace Prize agreement on something like a win- can help to resolve the refugee issue, win basis. Tough challenges, but also as well as the issues of borders, immense prizes for both sides. economic viability and security he American Friends Service Committee, I am not going to try to second- a Quaker peace and social justice guess the negotiators. They should, l Seek agreement on a common organisation, has nominated two however: account of the events of 1948, as candidates for the 2006 Nobel Peace part of the reconciliation process TPrize: Jeff Halper from Israel and Ghassan l Research the numerous academic Andoni from the Occupied Palestinian studies, virtual negotiations (the so- l Make proper provision for Territories. called Abu Mazen-Beilin exercise implementation (key roles here for Ghassan Andoni is a physics professor and the Geneva Accord) and the UNRWA and for the World Bank) at Birzeit University who has spent years in 2000/2001 formal negotiations, jail for his peaceful resistence to the Israeli especially the Taba talks of January Meanwhile the international occupation. 2001and consider how far these community — and certainly the British In 1988 he co-founded the Palestinian contain ideas that may be practical government — need to help both sides Center for Rapprochement Between Peoples, and politically acceptable in the to resume negotiations as soon as which sponsored dialogue and joint activities context of an overall Peace Accord. possible, and ensure that UNRWA between Israelis and Palestinians. He also co- continues to receive the political and founded the International Solidarity Movement l Consult the refugees themselves financial support necessary to enable (ISM), in which international volunteers and it to fulfil the task to which it has been Palestinians take part in grassroots nonviolent l Consider whether the refugees dedicated for the past 56 years. Any actions of resistance. might have a formal right to return, decision to reduce or withhold aid to Jeff Halper is best known as the co- but with the actual founder of the Israeli Committee Against exercise of this right House Demolitions (ICAHD), in 1997, which limited and phased, “Any decision to reduce was among the first Israeli peace groups to and that meanwhile the or withhold aid to the work with Palestinians inside the Occupied refugees would have a Territories. ICAHD resists the demolition of number of other, more Palestinian Authority in order Palestinian homes and organizes Israelis and immediate options, internationals to help Palestinians rebuild their all of which would to put pressure on Hamas homes, as acts of political resistance. offer a considerable Jeff said: “Ghassan and I are not on improvement in their will impact strongly on opposite ‘sides’. Besides our concern for the status and living destructive impact of Israel’s occupation on conditions, including UNRWA” both our societies, we both consider it a global return to the new issue — a fundamental challenge to a world Palestinian State, settlement in third the Palestinian Authority in order to put based on inclusion, equality, justice, peace, countries and compensation pressure on Hamas will also impact prosperity, self-determination, international law strongly on UNRWA and the refugees and universal human rights. If occupation and l Note the particularly difficult political resident in the Occupied Territories. repression in this most transparent conflict and economic circumstances of the Finally, PSC members should actually defeat a people’s aspirations for refugees in Lebanon, and consider support and cooperate with the UK freedom and fundamental human rights, what if they can somehow be accorded UNRWA country support group, once are the implications for oppressed peoples the priority established, following those already world over?” operating in the USA and Spain; details Ghassan and Jeff are currently working l Consider how far land swaps and the can be found on the UNRWA website: on a book about nonviolent resistance to the future of the West Bank settlements www.un/org/unrwa/. Occupation. 10 palestine news COMMENT AND ANALYSIS spring06 Trade Unions make a difference Occupied Territories is now around 60% to demands that the British government Bernard Regan and that 70% of the population lives in reimburse the pension funds against any takes heart from the poverty. They know too that the Wall, losses that might be incurred by fining the checkpoints and constant harassment companies in breach of the ICJ ruling. lessons of history make even the daily task of getting to The second course of action would what work there is virtually impossible. be to impose sanctions. A number of rade Unions make a difference. Workers have been shot and killed trade unions have already taken up the That is the clear message that at checkpoints by the Israeli Occupation demand that Britain impose an immediate emerges from the history of the Army and on their way to and from work ban on the arms trade with Israel. The struggle against Apartheid. While by settlers. In 2002 the office of the whole question of EU trade with Israel Tthe trade unions inside South Africa led General Union of Palestinian Teachers is another wider issue that needs to be the struggle, trade union movements in Qalqilya was destroyed and two of considered. worldwide campaigned to get their own their offices in Ramallah were the subject In relation to boycott it is interesting reluctant governments to isolate the of direct attack: property was ruined, to return to the example of the anti- repressive South African regime. records taken, trashed or destroyed. Apartheid movement. Back in 1960, Today in Britain over six million The Palestine General Federation of following an appeal from the All-Africa people belong to trade unions – the Trade Unions spends much of its energy People’s Conference, the British Trade largest voluntary organisations in this providing welfare relief for the families of Unions took the decision to support the country. Their united action could make unemployed workers. Palestinian workers boycott campaign. The TUC itself had a tremendous contribution to challenging who try to go to work inside Israel have acted in response to a call from the our government’s complicity with the little or no support from the trade unions International Trade Union Confederation, Bush administration in giving support to there — they remain vulnerable to which put the word out through all its the government of Israel. discrimination and exploitation. affiliates internationally. Solidarity is a concept at the very heart It is also interesting to note what of trade unionism. Trade unions were “Workers have been shot and the Labour Party did at the same time. formed and operate on the basic premise On 9 March 1960, Labour Party leader that injustice can be defeated when killed at checkpoints, and on Hugh Gaitskell went on television to ask people act together. “An injury to one is viewers not to buy South African goods. an injury to all” has long been the rallying their way to and from work” Imagine Tony Blair making a party cry when jobs are threatened, or when political broadcast calling for sanctions, discrimination or exploitation prevails. A serious debate about what kinds of boycott and disinvestment from Israel One of the most famous examples solidarity action might be taken is now until its Government abided by UN of union solidarity was the decision by under way. Today many trade unions Resolutions! Lancashire cotton workers not to support have a clear policy in support of the The sanctions, boycott and their own bosses who were backing the Palestinian people and some 16 national disinvestment campaign took 35 years Southern slave states in the US Civil War. unions are affiliated to the PSC. The to have an impact on Apartheid. The Even though it threatened their own jobs main task is to win the active support and Palestinians have already been waiting they took the view that solidarity did not involvement of trade union members, for justice for nearly 60 years. The Trade stop at the borders of their country. by spreading the message about the Union Conference on Palestine on 11 Imagine six million people injustices which are being inflicted on the March will be an opportunity for trade campaigning to demand that the Palestinians. unionists to discuss how to take this Government take action to bring Having persuaded members the campaign forward in the movement. The pressure to bear on Israel to dismantle next question that is often asked is, presence of Willie Madisha, President the Wall, release the political prisoners, “What can we do about it?” There of COSATU (Congress of South African withdraw the colonial settlers, end are two immediate possible areas Trade Unions) alongside Shaher Sae’d, the occupation, recognise the right of of campaigning. One is to argue for General Secretary of the PGFTU, will refugees to return to their homes and disinvestment by unions themselves provide a unique opportunity to get that pay compensation for the damage the and the pension funds for which they campaign firmly on the road to building occupying army has wrought. are responsible, from companies that effective solidarity with the Palestinian In recent years many trade unions collaborate in breaching the International people. have sent delegations to Palestine and Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling against established direct links there. They are the building of the Wall. Whilst not a Bernard Regan is an Executive Member of the fully aware that unemployment in the precondition this of course could be linked National Union of Teachers spring06 COMMENT AND ANALYSIS palestine news 11 From kibbutz to Gaza Kate Burton, kidnapped in Gaza in December, explains why she is staying put

wo months have passed since I initiatives in the Gaza Strip for a year, was kidnapped, and I have now then started working with the Al Mezan started putting the experience Centre for Human Rights in September into some kind of perspective. 2005. TThe face of one of my kidnappers still Founded in 1999, Al Mezan is a flashes through my mind and every unique organisation that specialises in time I hear of another Israeli targeted promoting and protecting the human assassination I wonder whether it rights of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, might be him. I find myself hoping that in particular their economic, social it isn’t. I cannot justify the abduction and cultural (ESC) rights. However, of foreigners in the Gaza Strip but I when the Al Aqsa Intifada began in want to understand the real motives September 2000, the Israeli Occupation and ideologies behind the kidnappers’ Forces (IOF) embarked on a rampage of has been adopted since the pullout in actions, and to envisage some kind of house demolitions, incursions, targeted 2005. solution. killings, harassment, curfews and The problem of weapons proliferation Kidnappers are generally perceived closures of borders and checkpoints. has been growing since the beginning as being hard types that cannot and ESC rights were pushed to the side as of the Intifada, when the Palestinians should not be talked to, but I spent civil and political rights took priority, and of Gaza were forced to try and defend hours talking with my kidnappers and organisations like Al Mezan (in Arabic, themselves against a powerful and often some of their beliefs were both valid Balance) found themselves obliged to ruthless Israeli army. The unhindered and touching. Their struggle is that of all work more intensively than ever on the and unmonitored use and spread of Palestinians, only conducted differently. rights of Palestinian prisoners and other weapons, coupled with the growing They feel the pain of living under the rights being gravely violated by the IOF boredom and anger of Gaza’s youth and occupation and losing the land of their and the Israeli judicial system. unemployed, has led to a severe state forefathers like the loss of a loved one, of insecurity, infighting and violence, and believe it is their duty to restore “I spent hours talking with including the kidnapping of foreigners. justice to the poor, fighting a double The people of Gaza remain optimistic war against the Israeli occupation and my kidnappers; some of that one day something will change if necessary their own government to — but not in the near future. In the short achieve this goal. their beliefs were both term, job creation is essential to keep I first came to the region in 2001 the situation from worsening, but in the as a Kibbutz volunteer, when I met valid and touching” long term the only solution is an end to many Israelis and began learning the occupation, in order to provide the Hebrew. At that time I believed in little Gaza is facing many problems, some younger generations with the vision of more than justice for both sides and of which have been magnified since a different future. As my kidnapper told naïve ideas of peace and coexistence. the disengagement. There is an urgent me “we will not give up fighting, but I tell When I started meeting Palestinians, need for an improved infrastructure you, if there were another way than this however, I quickly became conscious in the healthcare and employment one, I would choose that way; I cannot of the imbalance in the situation. I sectors, and for a clear social service continue living a life like this, it is no life realised it was not just a question of plan. Under international law, these for me or for my family”. both sides having valid arguments and are Israel’s obligations to the Gazans, During the 58 hours of the kidnapping having to work together. It was more as the occupying power, but it never I had a lot of time to think about whether about one side having a much higher adhered to its responsibilities and these I should stay in Gaza. My kidnapper told responsibility, one side having the upper have now been assumed de facto by me to leave, predicting that the situation hand, the internationally established the Palestinian Authority. Al Mezan will deteriorate. However, I think it is and recognised state, a powerful army is now focusing once again on its important that Palestinians, especially in and strong allies, whilst the other side specialisation in ESC rights. Gaza, continue to see foreigners among had no freedom of movement, no Unfortunately, Israeli policies of them so that they don’t feel completely recognition and no political power to collective punishment are ongoing, isolated. Despite the kidnappings I, affect change. such as the buffer zone created in the like many foreigners here, intend to When I was offered a job in Gaza northern Gaza Strip, constant shelling stay and work for the better future the I decided this would be the perfect and bombing, complete control over Palestinians deserve. opportunity for me to learn more about all borders, sea space and airspace, the plight of the Palestinians. I first and the sonic booms, a new method of See www.mezan.org for more information worked on educational and research terrorising the entire population which about Al Mezan. 12 palestine news DIVESTMENT, SANCTIONS, BOYCOTT spring06

Archbishop Rowan Williams voted for the amendment. Those within the church opposed to divestment (notably previous Archbishop Church of England Lord Carey and the new lobby group ‘Anglicans for Israel’) immediately made a link between this decision and a ‘rift’ between Anglicans and the Jewish divestment vote community, but those Jewish groups working for justice in Palestine welcomed it. n 6 February, campaigners were of the Palestinian The Church Commissioners (who own delighted to hear that the Synod had people. This call was the majority of the Caterpillar shares on passed a motion by a large majority, taken forward by an behalf of the church) do not have to follow recommending disinvestment from interfaith group of the recommendation, and their reaction will Ocompanies profiting from the Occupation organisations and be watched with interest by campaigners. (particularly Caterpillar). individuals, wanting to Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi, The essential clause states: “This challenge the church responded angrily to the Synod’s decision. Synod heeds the call from our sister to look at morally In an article in the Jewish Chronicle, he church, the Episcopal Church in Archbishop Rowan Williams responsible investment wrote: “The church has chosen to take Jerusalem and the Middle East, for morally in this situation. The a stand on the politics of the Middle responsible investment in the Palestinian group includes War on Want, whose East over which it has no influence, occupied territories and, in particular, to report on Caterpillar had provided solid knowing that it will have the most adverse disinvest from companies profiting from the information about the link between the repercussions on a situation over which it illegal occupation, such as Caterpillar Inc, specially militarised bulldozer equipment has enormous influence, Jewish-Christian until they change their policies.” and very repressive occupation policies relations in Britain.” The motion was proposed by a Synod — house demolitions (with the loss of life), Dr Williams wrote to the Chief Rabbi to member who had become convinced by destruction of agricultural land and the insist that the vote in no way questioned the arguments put forward by Canon Naim construction of the Wall. Israel’s right to exist or to self-defence. Ateek of Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation The church’s Ethical Investment Theology Centre and Bishop Riah Abu Advisory Group had recommended that Sue Plater El Assal, Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, the church investment bodies should (Associate Director of the Amos Trust) that the church should heed the call of retain the shares in Caterpiller (worth over Palestinian Christians to campaign non- £2.2 million), and it was an amendment to For War on Want’s report on Caterpillar see violently and actively to end the suffering this proposal that was debated at Synod. www.waronwant.org/download.php?id=289 Architects stand up for justice

n 2 February a group of about Rob Bevan presented his new business, any architects that participate 60 architects and planners met book The Destruction of Memory — anyone facilitating these human rights at the London headquarters of — Architecture at War, which examines violations and war crimes.” Lord Richard Rogers’ practice, the way in which architectural heritage is The meeting agreed that the Oto launch a campaign for environmental systematically destroyed by occupying organisation should concern itself not justice in Israel/Palestine. In his opening forces. Referring to the current only with the built environment, but also address, Lord Rogers stressed the destruction of Arab buildings in Israel, with the natural environment, reflecting obligations of architects to create humane and in ancient Palestinian cities such as concerns about the expropriation and sustainable environments for all. Nablus and Hebron, he and pollution of resources such as The meeting was chaired by UK “We challenge said that the destruction agricultural land and water. Possible architect Abe Hayeem, who set out of symbolic buildings actions proposed included publishing a the broad case for a campaign against the ethical role of and the physical fabric list of firms and individuals profiting from the occupation of Palestinian land, Israeli architects of cities is not merely the construction of settlements in the focusing on the way this is enabled and collateral damage, but West Bank, the Separation Wall, and all sustained with the help of architects and and planners and a deliberate intention state-sponsored schemes dependent on planners. He stressed the importance the construction to “dominate, divide, the theft of Palestinian land or resources. of exposing those construction industry terrorise, and eliminate”. In a formal statement coordinator Abe professionals who accept commissions industry in the Eyal Weizman, an Hayeem said later: for schemes that expropriate Palestinian Occupation” Israeli architect and “We challenge the ethical role of land and resources. At the same time, director of the Centre Israeli architects and planners and the he said, it was vital to support initiatives, for Research Architecture at Goldsmith`s construction industry in the Occupation... both internationally and within Israel/ College, London, said: “The wall and the Politics and justice cannot be separated Palestine, that promote collaboration settlements have been deemed illegal by from buildings, culture and society.” between Jewish and Arab communities the International Court of Justice and we towards a fair and lasting peace. should boycott any company which does For more information see www.archplanjust.org spring06 REPORTS palestine news 13 PSC speaks ul H u g he s -Sm i th a to the BBC P

covered were the BBC’s failure to Agrexco protesters In January, PSC explain the original dispossession, its Executive members constant reference to Israel’s ‘War of Independence’, repeated misinformation vindicated Diane Langford and such as referring to Jerusalem as n a remarkable judgement at Uxbridge the capital of Israel, and uncritically Magistrates Court on 26 January, a District Robert Robinson supporting Israel’s repudiation of Judge ruled that seven anti-apartheid gave oral evidence to international law, amounting to collusion protesters, who had blockaded the Israeli with an illegal occupation. Iagricultural export company, Agrexco UK, had no the BBC Governors’ We also took issue with what is NOT case to answer and the case was dismissed. said: no sense of the sheer scale of The charges of Aggravated Trespass and Independent Review dispossession, the racism suffered by Failure to Leave Land were dismissed after District Panel on coverage of indigenous Palestinians inside Israel, the Judge Barnes found that the evidence against the dearth of maps, and making no mention defendants was ‘too tenuous’ to justify continuing Israel/Palestine. of non-violent resistance. with a trial. The trial had been listed for seven days We reiterated our complaint about but ended on the morning of the fourth day with embers of the panel were the lack of Palestinian voices, citing the dramatic acquittals. welcoming and attentive. ‘Women’s Hour’ as culpable. Fresh On 11 November 2004 the seven protesters The meeting lasted for just examples of distortion were given, for succeeded in shutting down the UK distribution under an hour. We began by example, the BBC’s pusillanimous centre of Israel’s biggest state owned agricultural Mexplaining PSC’s aims, emphasising our coverage of Sharon’s illness, in which export company for over eight hours, blocking independence, non-party political nature they presented him as a ‘man of peace’, both the entrance and exit to the Agrexco UK and the diversity both of our membership contrasting with Lindsey Hillsum’s distribution centre in Hayes, Middlesex, and and partner organisations. We stressed nuanced report for Channel 4 in which reportedly losing the company over £100,000 in that we work within the framework of she acknowledged the fact that there profit, which would have been channeled back into international and human rights law and is no peace process — specifically the Israeli economy. Amos Orr, General Manager suggested that the BBC should do the mentioning that disengagement from of Agrexco UK, said in court that Agrexco exports same in its coverage and terminology. Gaza was a move to consolidate colonies from Israel and the Occupied Territories amount Our proposal that panel members in the West Bank. to some $700 million a year out of a total of $880 should visit Palestine There was a million which is the annual total of all Israeli to acquaint themselves “The BBC shapes discussion on the failure agricultural exports. He admitted Agrexco imports with the situation was of the BBC as a public between 60-70% of all produce that is grown on received with non- the news rather service broadcaster illegal settlements in the Occupied Territories. committal smiles. One to call Israel to The protest was carried out to draw attention panel member told than reporting it” account, perceived to the complicity of Agrexco, in the system of us that he found his as the corporation’s apartheid that is enshrined in Israeli law. The experience of visiting Gaza reflected in unquestioning acceptance of the impunity defendants acted in support of the growing our ‘interesting’ written submission (see bestowed on Israel by its powerful friends. campaign for an international economic boycott website, under PSC News). We also discussed the ways in which of Israeli goods. Supporters of the defendants The panel was told how perplexing the BBC bows to pressure from the had collected documentary evidence of Agrexco’s our members find it that the BBC fails Israeli Embassy, tailoring language and business operations in the Jordan Valley that to report what is going on in Palestine muzzling its own journalists. would have been put forward to show their when information is widely available Robert handed the panel a draft complicity in the ‘ Crime of Apartheid’ which is from reliable sources. Generally BBC suggestion for the BBC Website a crime under UK domestic law according to the coverage is seen as a parallel universe regarding settlements and spoke about International Criminal Court Act 2001. — far from the one that actually exists settler violence and the consensus At a packed public meeting on 25 January at on the ground. That the BBC shapes the amongst international human rights the University of London Union British/Israeli news rather than reporting it is completely lawyers on the subject. academic Dr Uri Davis spoke in support of the unacceptable. Finally we expressed the hope that blockade action and a boycott of Israeli goods. He Examples given included the false the review will be seen as an opportunity described Israel as the only apartheid state in the impression of two equal sides, failure to set things right. If the BBC starts United Nations. to provide basic context, failure to to live up to its obligations as public The campaign to Boycott Agrexco continues. mention occupation, ethnic cleansing service broadcaster this will have been a A website that will give information disclosed and war crimes. Among other issues worthwhile exercise. through the Uxbridge case will be launched soon. 14 palestine news REPORTS spring06 Update on Mordechai n 21 April this year it will be two years since Mordechai Vanunu was released from Ashkelon prison in Israel, where he had servedO an 18 year sentence, including 12 years in solitary confinement. Vanunu, a former technician at Dimona, Israel’s centre for nuclear research, was kidnapped from Rome in September 1986 and forcibly taken back to Israel to face charges of treason for revealing Israel’s secret development and stockpiling of nuclear weapons to the Sunday Times. Despite this brutal sentence for telling the truth, and years of what Amnesty International described as “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment”, Mordechai has, remarkably, retained his sanity and an absolute commitment to a nuclear-free Middle East and the right to freedom of speech. Although he served his full sentence, the Israeli authorities continue to pursue and harass him. A few weeks ago Vanunu was once more back in an Israeli court to face 21 charges of Steve Bell, 2004 breaking the severe and unwarranted restrictions imposed on him following Vanunu encountered further spying. No evidence at all was brought his release from prison. This postponed evidence of Israel’s iniquitous legal to substantiate this, but the police were hearing was “coincidentally” held on the system when his long-running libel nevertheless able to confiscate his same day as the Palestinian elections; action against Yediot Aharonot came computer, and bring pressure to bear therefore, it came as no surprise that to an end. While he was still in prison on Microsoft to give them access to his Vanunu’s appearance in court got no the paper had said he was passing emails. publicity. The charges in this case relate bomb-making information to Palestinian to speaking to foreigners, which Vanunu prisoners. Both Mordechai AND the Ernest Rodker, Adeline O’Keeffe is forbidden to do; in addition he is not prison authorities denied the story and permitted to leave Jerusalem without he sued the paper for defamation. The permission and is denied a passport. It judge’s decision in December was so Please support Mordechai by is because he has defiantly continued to blatantly biased as to be shocking even joining in the Vanunu Freedom exercise his human rights and refused by Israeli standards. She stated that Ride, a bike ride from Faslane to remain silent that he is now facing because the source for the story was (Britain’s nuclear submarine these latest charges. The judge’s a high ranking security officer it was base near Glasgow) to London, decision is due in March, just one month legitimate for the newspaper to print it via Carlisle, Manchester, Stoke, before the restrictions themselves are Birmingham and Oxford, to be reviewed. Mordechai’s appeal “He is not permitted to to coincide with the second against the imposition of the draconian anniversary of Vanunu’s release restrictions was turned down earlier this leave Jerusalem without from prison. Mordechai was year by the High Court. permission and is denied elected Rector of Glasgow Since his release Vanunu has been University in 2004. We need arrested several times — most recently a passport” riders and people to welcome the after attending a protest at the Wall. riders along the route. See www. He repeatedly said that he had gone — tantamount to saying the story had vanunufreedomride.org.uk or to see the Apartheid Wall, and had not to be believed. The judge then ordered contact 0845 4581965 for more left Jerusalem as accused. His lawyer Mordechai to pay costs of 36,000 details. was able to demonstrate that the Israeli Shekels (£4,800). security services had no real idea where In the most recent bout of You can contact Mordechai Vanunu at: the boundary of Jerusalem was, and harassment, Mordechai was summoned [email protected] Mordechai was released without any to a court hearing on 22 February, during Campaign for a Nuclear Free Middle East conditions. which the police asserted he had been – contact: [email protected] spring06 COMMENT palestine news 15 LARF or CRY Zapi ro Ma h j oob y 2006 a r on d 28 J a nu N e i l B ennett/ T he Ti me s , L

Foreign aid -c a rtoon.net .b a h www Am jad Ras m i 16 palestine news ACTIVISM spring06 PSC AGM — Campaigning to end Occupation

he AGM this year featured three keynote speakers: His Excellency Manuel Hassassian, Head of the Palestinian Delegation to the UK, JeffT Halper from the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) and Mushtaq Khan, Professor of Economics at SOAS. Betty Hunter, PSC’s General Secretary, talked of the important work that had been carried out by PSC nationally and its branches throughout the year. She stressed that the year ahead will be a crucial and difficult one for the Palestinian people and PSC must be ready to respond effectively to Manuel Hassassian any development. If we are to achieve change in the attitude of the British Legislative Council elections and said countries led by the US are painting government we need to build a strong nothing could exonerate Israel for the themselves into a corner by presenting grassroots movement. damage inflicted upon the Palestinians threats to the Palestinian people. He Delegates gave a warm reception to over the last decades. A negotiated warned that, if the threats of withdrawal Professor Hassassian — for many this settlement was the only solution, with of aid are carried out, this would not was the first time they had heard him an end to Israeli occupation and self- only lead to a severe worsening in the speak since his recent appointment to determination for the Palestinians. Prof existing deprivation and poverty in the the London post. He spoke of Israel’s Hassassian concluded by thanking Occupied Palestinian Territories, but, if impunity and his view that the US was the PSC for its work in support of the Palestinian security forces were not paid, not best placed to be the main Middle Palestinian people. civil war could result. East peace broker given its past record Jeff Halper spoke Apart from the formal of unconditional support to Israel. He of the danger that the speeches, the organisational criticised Europe for not having the Israeli Government could, business of the AGM was political maturity to hold an independent by cleverly drawing the carried out efficiently with position in the Quartet and also the borders to minimise the speakers from branches Muslim and Arab world for its failure to reduction of the West Bank and affiliated groups as act in support of the Palestinian people. territories, present the well as the Executive. The He praised the Palestinian people for planned unilateral borders newly elected Executive their maturity in the conduct of the recent as a ‘reasonable offer’, just committee included like the ‘disengagement’ members with a wide range from Gaza. He talked of political backgrounds and of the Bush-Sharon campaigning interests such A Miscarriage exchange of letters Jeff Halper as political prisoners and where Bush approved the church disinvestment as annexation of settlement blocks to Israel, well as valuable organisational skills. This of Justice accompanied by Israel’s strategy to bodes well for the coming year, which declare final borders. will by all indications be one of the most Samar Alami and Delegates from the recent challenging for PSC. Jawad Botmeh are in PSC election monitoring the eleventh year of mission spoke of their their imprisonment impressions both at the The Palestine Solidarity for a crime they did polling stations and speaking Campaign 2006 Annual not commit. Amnesty to ordinary Palestinians (see General Meeting was International regards page 4). held on 11 February at their trial as unfair. Mushtaq Khan explained the University of London The campaign has the that this is a period when Union. The Annual Report, support of 60 MPs but Samar Alami we can expect the very Finance Report and the government still refuses to release evidence. sudden escalation of a Resolutions passed are Please ask your MP to support EDM 1440. for difficult situation in Palestine available to members on further information go to: www.freesaj.org.uk because the western Mushtaq Khan request. spring06 ACTIVISM palestine news 17 Active on all fronts! Christmas Campaigning for Palestine in November. Stalls were A letter of complaint to the Chief held at each event and at the Bradford Inspector of Manchester Police Several PSC branches used the CND Peace and Craft Fair in Saltaire resulted in a meeting in which festive season to highlight the issues in Yorkshire. Overall the branch raised members highlighted PSC’s legitimate surrounding Bethlehem during about £1,500 and was therefore campaigning rights, and the problem of Christmas. Bucks/Berks contacted able to send substantial donations being harassed by a highly organised hundreds of churches in their to ‘Enlighten’ and to the ‘Women’s group of thugs enjoying apparent area using material from the Open Organisation for Palestinian Prisoners’. impunity from the law. Bethlehem project, launched by the The Lambeth & Wandsworth PSC Cymru, meanwhile, have Mayor of Bethlehem in November (see branch of PSC held a successful won a year-long struggle against a Winter issue of PN). fundraising Pub Quiz in the Workers campaign of intimidation by Christian York also focused on the work Beer Company’s Clapham pub, the Zionists in Cardiff. The group would of Open Bethlehem to keep the city ‘Bread and Roses’, on 2 February. With attempt to disrupt the PSC’s work there accessible despite being isolated by several bottles of Zaytoun Olive Oil for by closing in on them and handing out the Apartheid Wall. Supported by the prizes, they attracted a full house and Zionist literature. York Minster, they distributed almost raised over £150 towards a children’s These efforts were thwarted by 2,000 leaflets to the crowds waiting playground in the Jalazone refugee simply moving the regular leafleting to take part in the main carol service. camp. sessions to different locations. PSC Methodist churches gave them support Bucks/Berks branch also rounded Cymru told Palestine News: “We have too, featuring Bethlehem and PSC the year off with a successful social and the streets to ourselves once more.” material in several of their Advent and fundraiser, and have plans to increase Christmas services. And articles were contact with local universities this year. published on the situation in Bethlehem Boycott events in local Methodist and Baptist Church Exeter kicked off their BIG campaign magazines. Resisting Zionist at their annual Palestine Day event at Oxford PSC marked the festive intimidation Exeter University in November, which season with some Alternative was addressed by Betty Hunter, linking Christmas Carols in the week before Some branches have experienced the boycott call to a commitment to sell Christmas. They obtained a busker’s difficulties lately with harassment and Palestinian olive oil and other products. license, (so it was legitimate), printed intimidation from Zionists. When the This was followed up by the National the words of the carols for their Manchester PSC stall in the city centre Day of Action on 10 December, where audience as well as the singers, and was attacked by aggressive Zionist members talked to shoppers outside featured a crib surrounded by a model supporters, the police were called but Tesco and M&S in the Exeter High Apartheid Wall. they failed to protect the group from Street. Their table with goods Oxford also organised an exhibition verbal and physical threats. from the stores from Israel, about Bethlehem in the Central Library, combining pictures on a religious theme with the reality of life there. They are planning to follow this up with an exhibition about Jerusalem in the run- up to Easter, for the local churches. Brighton are already fundraising to pay for a visiting group of 25 Palestinian dancers and musicians, to tour the UK next Christmas. A series of 20 events, starting in February, entitled ‘Music and visions of peace’, will highlight the arts and culture of the region, and aims to show that two peoples can work together despite the difficulties they face.

Fundraising Manchester PSC had a busy few months leading up to Christmas. A number of public meetings were held with Palestinian speakers and the branch held its fifth annual Breakfast Campaigning in Birmingham 18 palestine news ACTIVISM spring06

and alternatives too, brought a good response — and even co- operation from the staff in Tesco when a shopper complained. Future plans are to take the action to other towns in the region and help other groups to organise around the boycott issue. The branch is also in contact with the SW Region Labour Party, with a view to them taking up the boycott initiative, and have a speaker from War on Want coming in March. She ffi el d PS C In Bangor, north Wales, PSC have combined with the Bangor and Anglesey Peace and Justice Group and now carry out activities together, such as a recent vigil outside the Cathedral. Boycott activities have continued (they recently found plastic snow sledges in the shops — made in Israel). They leaflet supermarket car parks and have found that handing out leaflets Children from Al Asria Centre, Jabalia camp, Gaza in Orchard Square, Sheffield to drivers in traffic jams is also a good way to get people’s attention. Bruce Kent also visited Bangor and Jerusalem and the EU insistence on Palestine after the Elections’ as part of gave an inspiring talk in which he spoke voting rights for Palestinians in East Jeff’s recent highly successful tour of up strongly for Palestinian rights at the Jerusalem. The meeting inspired the UK. Another familiar Israeli speaker, same time as making his plea for ‘War Manchester PSC to undertake a local Dr Ilan Pappe, was invited by Sheffield no More’ and showing the excellent 20 lobbying campaign, contacting MPs PSC to speak on ‘Palestine in the Post minute film. and MEPs throughout the North West, Sharon era’ — the hot topic just now. Birmingham have maintained a enclosing copies of the EU report. Hereford hosted a talk about a two boycott stall virtually every Saturday in week trip to Abu Dis, near Jerusalem, the City Centre for the past three years, by a visiting lecturer at the Al-Quds culminating in a highly successful Films, visits, speakers Medical School, whose medical faculty ‘Wall Must Fall’ day of action. PSC is now separated from the main supporters formed a human wall with On 1 February the film ‘Bury my Heart teaching hospitals by the Wall. And placards, and had a 2.3m high replica in Palestine’ was shown at the Duke of in February, Judith Keshet was billed of a Caterpillar bulldozer, targeting four York’s cinema in Brighton. This film is to talk about the Israeli human rights shops stocking Caterpillar products. the work of three Brighton filmmakers organisation Machsom Watch. Oxford PSC also runs a stall each from different backgrounds who visited David Mowat has just returned from week, which was started several years Palestine in 2003, narrated by ICAHD’s his pilgrimage walking from Bristol to ago by Judith Dawes, a passionate Jeff Halper, and with commentary by Jerusalem, to then work with ISM, and campaigner for the Palestinians, who Irish human rights activist, Caiomhe has been speaking in Reading and sadly died last year. People who sign Butterly (who was shot in the leg Bucks/Berks about his experience up (currently over 400 people), receive whilst protecting children in Jenin). before returning to Palestine in February. a weekly electronic bulletin which Tapes and DVDs are available at Many more meetings and film provides them with information about a cost of £10 (plus £2 P&P): e-mail screenings are planned around the local and national events and links to [email protected]. country for March 2006, including David news and web-sites about Palestine. Naseer Arafat, architect and Benchetrit’s film “Dear Father, Quiet, Liberal Democrat MEP Sajjad Karim conservationist from Nablus and We’re Shooting...” in St Anthony’s met with a delegation from Manchester a former York University student, College, Oxford. The film unfolds the PSC to discuss how to work together returned in early December as part personal stories of five Israeli soldiers and support the campaign. Sajjad is of a tour which included Stavanger, of different ranks and units who, each on both the EU Trade Committee and Dundee (twinned with Nablus), with his particular experience, share the the Committee for Human Rights and Manchester, London, Amsterdam decision not to continue serving in the had already tabled questions to the and York. His main theme was his IDF. Commission challenging the EU/Israel determination to break down the trade agreement. isolation which Israel tries to impose on Branches may wish to show Kate Sajjad plans to use a newly agreed the towns and cities of the West Bank. Barlow’s powerful film on Jenin human rights clause to challenge There was also an excellent turnout — see page 26 for details. the agreement and look into seeking for a public meeting in February reparations from Israel for EU organised by York PSC and ICAHD UK development infrastructure destroyed (the Israeli Committee Against House by the IDF. He also discussed the Demolitions) at which Jeff Halper spoke There is a PSC branch near you! suppressed EU report on East on ‘A New Apartheid Regime? Israel/ Phone 0207 700 6192 for contacts. spring06 ACTIVISM palestine news 19

Sheffield has been active for years in Gaza. Last year they brought over the Al Asria children’s folk dance group from Linking, twinning, the Al Asria Centre, Jabalia Refugee Camp, Gaza, for a very successful tour of the UK. (In Sheffield they danced as part of the children’s festival – pictured.) sponsoring The branch has recently paid for new costumes for the dance group, which they hope to host again in 2006. In Khan Younis they established the This winter saw more visits to Palestine by Never Stop Dreaming Centre, with help from local student volunteers in Gaza, PSC branches, with the aim of strengthening and have set up or sponsored various existing ties and creating new ones. children’s educational and play projects in the refugee camps of Jabalia and Khan Younis. ast London PSC launched a In December the branch donated campaign in the autumn to twin toys, videos and puzzles to the New Tower Hamlets with Jenin, who Horizons (Afaq Jadeeda) Centre in warmly welcomed the initiative. Nussairat refugee camp (pictured). E(Local MP George Galloway had already The Hebron and Exeter twinning visited Jenin last summer to promote group was formally launched at the the project.) Said PSC member Miriam EPSC Palestine Day held at Exeter Scharf: “Our first fund-raiser collected University on 19 November. money for the Free Theatre in Jenin. She ffi el d PS C Hebron lies in the south of the West Four of us from the campaign went for Bank and with a city population of six days just after Christmas to take the 150,000 is the largest city in the West money, a message of solidarity from Bank after annexed East Jerusalem. It the people of Tower Hamlets and to is seen as a particularly troubled city as get ideas for projects between the two there are not only Israeli settlements on municipalities which could make the the outskirts of the city but also directly contact and the twinning real! Children at the New Horizons Centre, Gaza. with toys, in the centre of it. Because of the settlers “We found great hospitality, but videos and puzzles donated by Sheffield PSC in the centre of the city (around 500), also heard some terrible stories of there is also a huge army presence imprisonment, torture, loss of relatives in your area don’t wait for the council; (around 4000 soldiers), and the centre of to Israeli gunfire or bulldozers and loss Tower Hamlets council passed a Hebron has been divided into two zones. of land. There are posters everywhere resolution in December blocking Sector H1 (80% of the city) is under of ‘martyrs’, the last being the 10year- twinning. Our advice is, just get on with Palestinian rule, H2 is under Israeli old shot in November, whose parents it!” control. This area contains part of the old donated his organs to Israeli patients. Leicester PSC, together with city including Abraham’s mosque and “The Israelis were in occupation of Leicester NUT, Leicester Social the tomb of the Patriarchs. Jenin for three of the four days of our Forum and Friends of Al Aqsa are all Some local activists in Exeter were visit. On the day they left there was a working together to twin Leicester with keen to link with Hebron as they had street demonstration of some hundreds Bethlehem. Two local schools have visited it or worked there. Luckily, on of young people, a band, and “our already established twinnings and in Palestine Day, Hamid Qawasmeh, Public forces” marching in uniform. Foreigners July the Leicester Bethlehem Link Group Relations Officer for the Governors are seen immediately as friends, you are hosted the ‘Hakaya’ Children’s Dance Office in Hebron, came to do a talk at the looked after with amazing warmth and troupe from Bethlehem. university about the current situation in hospitality. The morning we left our hosts On 10 December they held a the city, and they were able to discuss gave us presents, trays of baklava, CDs ‘Bethlehem Christmas Fayre’ at Bishop the project with him. of photos of our meetings — and told Street Methodist Church in the city As the process of formal twinning can us the army was back, occupying twenty centre, to which the Lord Mayor paid an be long and complex, it is more realistic houses and a tower-block overlooking official visit. Palestinian products such as to start with a friendship link between the camp. olive wood and mother-of-pearl carvings, similar organisations and institutions, “We made excellent contacts and olive oil and embroidery were sold and and build from there. However, so far have come back with loads of concrete the twenty minute film ‘Walling in, walling Chester has succeeded in twinned projects, from an exchange of artwork to out: a Bethlehem Story’, produced by the formally with Jericho, Dundee with fund-raising for specific things needed International Centre in Bethlehem, was Nablus and Glasgow with Bethlehem. at the Centre for the Disabled, at the shown throughout the day. At lunchtime To be continued…! Girls secondary school. Hopefully this the Revd. Nicola Jones spoke about her will lead to an exchange of people; they visits to Bethlehem, and related stories A conference will be held over Easter in want trainers, teachers, musicians, of the lives of three women she knew: Bethlehem, hosted by the Britain-Palestine artists, and sports coaches. a Palestinian Muslim, a Palestinian Twinning Network. “If you want to establish twinning Christian and an Israeli peace activist. For details see www.twinningwithpalestine.net 20 palestine news ARTS spring06 Pioneers for Palestine Riyad Tibi reports on his recent visit to the Al-Rowwad Theatre Group

ida camp is one of three Palestinian refugee camps in the Bethlehem area. With a population today of 4,500 in half a Asquare kilometre, it was created in 1949 to house refugees from villages within what is now Israel. The camp, which lies right next to the Apartheid Wall, has been subjected to repeated assaults and curfews by the Israeli army since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada. Young actors from Aida camp Aida camp is also the home of the al-Rowwad Cultural and Theatre training in Palestine, which has recently formed some of the beautiful products of yet centre. Al-Rowwad means ‘pioneers’ in a partnership with al-Rowwad. Adopt another of Al-Rowwad’s projects, Arabic and the work of the al-Rowwad a Family raises funds in the UK and a work creation scheme for camp team truly is pioneering. While the main channels them to al-Rowwad, which women involving embroidery and other focus is on children’s development distributes the money to the neediest traditional handicrafts. through theatrical and artistic expression families and is generally in charge of I was really impressed by what al- (dance, painting, music), it has a wider monitoring of the funds. Rowwad has managed to achieve across mandate, which includes developmental My host was al-Rowwad’s impressive a number of fronts in the seven years of work and cultural exchanges. I visited director, Dr AbdelFattah Abu Srour, its existence, largely due to the energy the group in December 2005 on behalf who showed me the theatrical training and vision of Dr Abu Srour and his of a UK project called Adopt a Family centre and IT training room where we dedicated team of volunteers. I could see were treated to an impromptu violin at first hand the advantage of twinning performance by two of the al-Rowwad with community-based NGOs such as children. The training for the young al-Rowwad, which has an intimate Art dialogue: Palestinians is provided by both local knowledge of literally every family in and international volunteers, for example the camp. As the situation for so many the children we heard play are coached Palestinians worsens, it is increasingly UK — Palestine once a week by an Italian volunteer, and important to continue to support projects the choral group by a volunteer from the like this that make such a difference to or the past three months eleven artists Kamandjati music group in Ramallah. Palestinian lives. from Palestine and Chelsea College We then toured the camp, passing The al-Rowwad children’s theatre of Art have been collaborating on two right by the Wall with its sinister group are touring France and Belgium exhibitions, making work together via the watchtowers. I was informed that the in June/ July 2006 to perform ‘We Finternet. The artists swapped practices — the flamboyant murals on this section of are the children of the camp’, a Palestinians implementing the Londoners’ the Wall had been painted by a group historical drama about the Palestinian works and vice versa. Two exhibitions of Mexican solidarity activists/artists refugee experience. This tour could will take place at the end of the term, one and others. We then dropped in on one potentially be extended to the UK but at Chelsea College of Art and Design for of our adopted families. As ever I was this would require support from PSC one week opening on 20 March and one in struck by the resilience of Palestinians branches or other UK solidarity groups. Ramallah at the beginning of May. For an in the most difficult of situations and Possible dates would be 5 – 20 July. update on the project and to view the dialogue also by their spontaneous hospitality. If your group would be interested going on between the artists visit www. The head of the family (a widow) was please contact al-Rowwad directly chelseasculptureprojects.net. struggling to pay tuition fees for her (email : [email protected] / Another major collaborative project is a daughter as well as for expensive [email protected]). A video ‘wall painting’ exhibition opening on 23 May medicines for an eye condition. She of the group’s previous performances is at the Bethlehem Peace Centre, curated by told us she had immediately spent all of avaialble from the PSC Office. Charles Asprey and Kay Pallister. Twenty five her first consignment on these much- international artists will take part. At the same needed medicines. It was instructive For more information on al-Rowwad visit time an Arts criticism workshop will be held, to meet some of the end recipients of www.alrowwad.org by Sacha Craddock and Sally O’Reilly. For financial aid and understand how much For information on Adopt a Family visit more information see www.artschoolpalestine. this money means to them. Back in www.al-wda.org.uk/index.php?option=com_ com. al-Rowwad’s modest HQ I was shown content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=89 spring06 ARTS palestine news 21

and Patrick Illingworth) to more exotic sounds and rhythms from the Diaspora, such as Armenian duduk (Tigran Aleksanyan), Iranian tombak (Fariborz Music from the Kiani) or the violin of Sami Bishai. The recording deals deftly with all these complex textures as well as the full power of Reem’s voice. ‘Sprinting Gazelle’ is both a celebration of the Palestinian spirit and a debut album for Motherland a truly original musical talent. Moneim Adwan (oud player and singer) grew up in Gaza and now lives Paul Hughes-Smith listens — www.properdistribution.com) is in Rafah after studying and working a mixture of traditional songs, the abroad in other Arab countries from to three inspiring new CDs result of extensive research into her the age of 17. He returned to Gaza Palestinian heritage, and settings of in the wake of Oslo to work for the from Palestinian singers popular and resistance poetry. Palestinian Authority, organising Reem is passionate in live concerts and also writing film music. alestinian music has always performances, evoking the pain and Musical performance can still be absorbed many musical longing of a dispossessed people. problematic in the more conservative influences throughout its Often such passion does not translate Gaza and most of his collaborative long history, by virtue of its well to the cold conditions of a studio work with other musicians has been Pgeographical position at the centre of recording, so she has wisely chosen done outside the area; this album, the Arab world. Enforced migration has a varied menu with changes in tempo, ‘Once upon a Time in Palestine’ now added to these influences and dynamics and musical colour but that (Accords Croises AC111 distributed these three CDs, in their very different still expresses that essential fervour of by Harmonia Mundi — www. ways, represent the desire to preserve a live performance. uk.hmboutique.com) was recorded by a tradition and remember the good times, In most Arab music, as with these French company during the Festival of while embracing innovation and outside CDs, poetry is the predominant force Sacred Music in Fes, Morocco. influences. and inspiration that is in turn served The sleeve notes describe Palestine Reem Kelani is well known in the by the music. Whether it is a poem by in 1948 as being at the ‘crossroads of UK both as a solo artist and for her Mahmoud Darwish (Track 5 Mawwaal a range of influences’, influences that performances with Gilad Atzmon in — variations on loss) or a song were further widened by Moneim’s the past. She has carried the flag collected from women in a Lebanese long period abroad and this is certainly of Palestinian music almost single- refugee camp (the title track, Sprinting reflected in these pieces. Once again handedly here for the last few years. Gazelle), the words are crucial, and are the poetry of the songs (commissioned Although born in the UK, her family helpfully printed in full in both Arabic from young poets) sets the mood, is from Galilee and she was exposed and English in the CD booklet. The but the lyrics do not refer specifically to many kinds of music from an early richness of the musical arrangements to Palestine but celebrate traditional age. Her CD, ‘Sprinting Gazelle — is due mostly to the variety of life, love and spiritual yearning. The Palestinian Songs from the Motherland musicians and styles supporting Reem: supporting ensemble of musicians and the Diaspora’ (Fuse Records from the jazz world of piano, bass from Gaza is similar to what you would CFCD048 distributed by Proper Music and drums (Zoe Rahman,Oli Hayhurst expect to find in any group from Egypt or Lebanon — qanoun(zither), violin, ney (flute) and percussion — but the violin (Safwan Kenani) and qanoun playing (Mahran Moreb) are particularly spirited and distinctive. Moneim has a wonderfully light voice that can be both tender and passionate and his pitch is unfailingly pure, however ornamented the singing. It is heartening to hear such beautiful music coming out of an area that has suffered the worst deprivations of the occupation, and Moneim’s determination to remain in Gaza can only be applauded. Marwan Abado is a Christian Palestinian, born as a refugee in Beirut in 1967, who has lived and worked in Vienna since 1985. This latest CD, ‘Kabila’ (Iris Music 3001 895, Moneim Adwan distributed by Harmonia Mundi — 22 palestine news ARTS spring06 Jerusalem Music Festival n annual festival staged each year in Jerusalem and Ramallah gives Palestinians a chance to hear many wonderful groups of musicians from around the world (last year from Tunisia, Spain, AArgentina and Korea), together with artists from Palestine itself. They also work in close conjunction with artists associated with the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, that has branches in Reem Kelani Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Ramallah. One of the concerts in 2005 featured a large ensemble of more than 20 young musicians called ‘Maqamat’, that www.uk.hmboutique.com), is the was designed to give a platform to the most talented students from the fifth Marwan has recorded and so Conservatory. The logistics of arranging rehearsals for all these students should be seen as part of a body of who live miles apart would be difficult enough in any country but in the work rather than as a single statement. West Bank, with its checkpoints and endless restrictions on movement, He is the closest Palestinians have to the final success of the project was an unbelievable achievement for all what the French call a chansonnier, concerned. composing highly personal and The venues used for the festival concerts are well worth a visit in individual songs sung in a very intimate themselves, for very different reasons. In Jerusalem concerts are held in style and often using his own lyrics as the Tomb of the Kings, an ancient first-century rock-hewn sepulchre site well as those of other poets. Woven while in Ramallah, artists get to play in a brand new $6m state-of-the art into these are often thought-provoking concert hall, the Ramallah Cultural Palace, built recently with money from commentaries on the Palestinian Japan. condition and a certain wry humour is In Ramallah I also attended a performance of ‘The Little Prince’ evident in his live performances. with specially composed music performed by the Palestinian-German Despite working with European Youth Orchestra, the result of a musical summer camp in Ramallah with musicians and, since 2000, as a students from Palestine and Jena in Germany. This was supported by the duo with the percussionist Peter Friends School in Ramallah and the Barenboim-Said Foundation, amongst Rosmanith, his compositions are others. It was so heartening to see all these young students working always uniquely Palestinian in together and embracing the opportunity for cultural exchange. The young character, whatever the instruments Palestinian director of the theatrical performance had herself won a used; here the accordion (Otto scholarship to study production in Vienna. Lechner) and the violin (Joanna Lewis). Music is an essential part of the Palestinian soul and you cannot go This CD is also partly instrumental and far without encountering it in some form or other. When I returned to draws some of its inspiration from the Jerusalem I was lucky enough to go to a wedding celebration on the classical tradition of taqsim, in which a rooftop of a house in the old city and music is of course one of the most composition is preceded by a passage essential ingredients of any such celebration. It was a refreshing antidote of free improvisation. Marwan’s oud to the somewhat rarefied atmosphere of the Ramallah Cultural Palace: playing is warm but never showy and a massive sound system was set up with a small makeshift stage and a you can feel the band composed of guitar, synthesizer, darabuka, and drum kit fronted close rapport he by two singers. The wonderful Madaniya Brothers stormed through three has with his other hours of popular Palestinian songs, dancing and extended eulogies to musicians. the bridegroom and his family while the friends of the groom tossed him This is music in the air, flourished the Palestinian flag and formed endless lines and in miniature, to be circles for increasingly hectic bouts of dabke dancing while carrying the played late at night singer shoulder-high through the crowd. It all ended as abruptly as it when there is time had begun, chairs were neatly stacked away and the guests melted away for reflection. into the night. It was a party to remember — and just as much part of the Like Reem Palestinian music scene as the Jerusalem Music Festival. Kelani, Marwan Abado proves Paul Hughes-Smith that cross-cultural collaboration can be successful If you haven’t visited Palestine, this would be a great without having to introduction to the area and its cultural heritage. For details sacrifice your own of this year’s Festival see the website of the organisers, Khaled Jubran’s stunning CD, national musical Yabous Productions: www.yabous.org. Mazameer (Psalms), still available voice. from PSC (£10 + p&p) spring06 REVIEWS palestine news 23 Munich, or Making baklava Joseph Massad draws parallels between Spielberg’s recent film and Otto Preminger’s Exodus

“The best baklava is made by the Zionist hijacking of a ship from Cyprus Arabs in Jaffa,” insists the Mossad to Palestine by a Zionist Haganah case officer to his chief agent in charge commander, Ari Ben Canaan, who Exodus finally reconciles whatever of assassinating those Palestinians threatens to blow it up with 200 pounds misgivings it has about Irgun-style Israel claims planned the Munich of dynamite killing 611 Jewish men, terrorism with its approved version of operation of 1972. Besides being women, and children. The film depicts Haganah-style suicide-bombings, in excellent baklava-makers, we learn the Jewish refugees as in agreement the interest of unifying both forces for little else in Steven Spielberg’s film with the plan and vote in favor of it, the purpose of establishing the Jewish Munich about Jaffa’s Palestinians, rendering the terrorist threat a suicide State. The Israeli national anthem, the majority of whom were pushed bombing. Indeed Jewish mothers Hatikvah, stolen as it is from gentile into the sea by Zionist forces in May refuse to let the children off the ship Czech composer Bedrich Smetana’s 1948. Many drowned while the rest when Ben Canaan asks them to, symphonic poems Má Vlast (the escaped on boats to Lebanon and insisting that their children should die second poem, to be exact), is played were never allowed to return. Munich with them in the event they carry out ad nauseam in the film to drive the is not about these Palestinians; it is the suicide bombing. effect home. The major achievement emphatically about Israeli Jews and of Exodus besides disseminating the Israeli terrorism. Zionist story was to eliminate the In the context of Hollywood’s “Munich is playing the Palestinian people, whose lands and cinematic history, Munich is not the same role as Exodus did in lives were being robbed by the Zionist first film to discuss Israeli terror; Otto project, from the equation. Munich Preminger’s 1960 film Exodus was legitimizing Israeli policies and need not dabble with such existential in essence a celebration of Jewish questions, as the matter of Israel’s terrorism. Like Exodus, Munich the Zionist project” existence on stolen Palestinian lands poses moral questions about terrorist and at the expense of Palestinian lives methods and whether the end justifies has been settled in Exodus. Munich the means, as it chronicles the pangs Exodus insists that Ben Canaan’s simply wants to update the story. of conscience troubling Israeli terrorists threat of suicide bombing was not Script co-writer Tony Kushner was while they murder Palestinian poets, an idle one. As in the extra-fictional clear on this point in a recent article writers, and politicians across Europe world, which the film references, the he wrote for the Los Angeles Times: and in Lebanon. To a considerable Zionists had indeed blown up a similar “my criticism of Israel has always extent, Munich is already having the ship in November 1940, killing 242 been accompanied by declarations of same impact on American audiences Jewish refugees. When questioned by unconditional support of Israel’s right and is playing the same role as Exodus a young American widow about the to exist, and I believe that the global did in legitimizing Israeli policies and purpose of sacrificing so many lives, community has a responsibility to the Zionist project. Ben Canaan tells her “call it publicity, defend that right. I have written and Exodus was the major cinematic a stunt to attract attention”. He avers spoken of my love for Israel.” achievement of the Zionist movement. that “each person aboard this ship When only one Palestinian, Taha, The film popularized the Zionist cause is a soldier. The only weapon we is allowed to speak in Exodus, he and remains inspirational to young have to fight with is our willingness is permitted to do so in order to American and European Zionists. The to die”. While the Haganah is shown praise Zionism. Exodus is invested in film was most effective in staging the in the film as engaging in suicide depicting Jewish colonists as ultra- determination and desperation of the bombings to achieve its goals, it is civilized compared to the Palestinians, Zionist leadership, which was depicted contrasted with the terrorist Irgun shown throughout the film in Bedouin as having no choice but to conquer whose terrorist goals in the film garb (parading as village and city Palestine and make it the Jewish targeted the British specifically (but apparel) as a measure of State. Exodus tells the story of the not the Arabs!) and were not suicidal. their backwardness. Munich 24 palestine news REVIEWS spring06

employs similar cinematic tactics, Spielberg, who is at any rate an active even though when it shows participant in such media depictions, Palestinians in Western “civilized” humanizes Israeli terrorists in Munich garb, it reminds viewers that they are but expectedly not the Palestinian no different from those who live in Arab terrorists who are portrayed as having villages. If Ari Ben Canaan is a cultured no conscience. It seems that, unlike man who knows his way around a their Israeli counterparts, Palestinians restaurant menu of French food and shoot but do not cry! We see the Israeli wine, Munich’s Avner Kaufman is a murderers laugh, cry, make love, cook, gourmet cook and a sensual lover, eat, kill, regret, question authority, but although he has questionable taste we also see them lose their souls. It in erotic fantasies. Munich focuses is true that Munich wonders whether exclusively on the character of Avner, the policy of terrorism that Golda Meir exploring his inner conflict, his love commitment and determination to kill unleashed out of anguish at the murder for his wife and yearning for his newly enemy Palestinians with no moral of Israeli athletes might have been born child, as well as his troubled questioning. It is some of the diaspora misguided, but the film insists that it is relationship with his parents. Jewish supporters of Israel who none other than the Palestinians who The film also describes the moral infrequently feign moral dilemmas (on forced the choice of terror on Israel. conflicts of the other members of occasion, also, Israelis feign them Munich’s point of contention with Avner’s terrorist cell, inspired by what when called upon to perform before Meir’s policy rests on the film’s claim Robert, the explosives expert, presents the international media). Spielberg that because Jews have a morally as Jewish ethics. Robert, who learned being one of them expressed his superior code, Israel need not respond his expertise at the hands of the Israeli dilemmas in clear terms to the London to the Palestinians in kind, a sentiment secret police, the Shin Bet, is unable Times, namely that he and his family articulated by Robert, the explosives- to reconcile his Jewish ethics with his “love Israel, we support Israel, we expert. Israeli training and finally quits the have unqualified support for Israel, Some of the legitimacy that Spielberg killing spree. He is reminiscent of Dov which has struggled, surrounded by and Kushner hope the film will receive Landau, the young Irgun explosives enemies, ever since its statehood comes from the dissatisfaction of expert in Exodus who had learned his was declared . . . I feel very proud to Zionists with it, which to the US media skills from the Nazis in Auschwitz when stand right alongside all of my friends confirms Munich’s “objectivity”. This he had to dynamite the ground to make in Israel; and yet I can ask questions is hardly different from how Sharon’s trenches for the burial of exterminated about these very, very sensitive issues policies are presented as “fair” when Jews. Unlike Munich’s Robert, Landau between Israelis and Palestinians opposed by Palestinians and Israelis had no qualms about killing Jews, and the whole quest for a homeland”. who are to the right of Sharon. While Arabs and Britons when he blew up Munich is a film in which Spielberg, this simple-minded tactic works with the King David Hotel. Landau’s major Kushner, and similar-minded diaspora naïve US audiences, it has a harder trauma as presented in the film was supporters, and not Israeli Mossad time being persuasive to more savvy not his internment in Auschwitz or his agents, may recognise themselves. ones outside the country. witnessing the gassing of Jews and The moral questions that Munich Like in Exodus, Palestinians in participating in burying them, the only poses have more to do with the souls Munich ventriloquise the worst that thing that made him cry was his rape of Israeli Jews. In that, it does not Zionist propaganda says they say. If by the Nazis (“they used me as you deviate much from Zionist propaganda, the good Palestinian in Exodus was the would use a woman”), which impelled which has always claimed that Jewish collaborator Taha, who was killed by him to join the Irgun as a restorative soldiers “shoot and cry.” Indeed, Golda the Palestinians for his treason, Munich Meir, who is depicted in the film as a offers the terrorist Ali who is killed by “Zionist propaganda has righteous and lovable leader, had once the Israelis for not being like Taha, said “We can forgive you for killing confirming that the only good Palestinian always claimed that Jewish our sons. But we will never forgive is a dead Palestinian. As for the rest of you for making us kill yours.” It is the Palestinian people, Munich, like the soldiers ‘shoot and cry’” this racist sentiment which structures Israeli authorities, hopes that they stick the story Munich wants to tell. The to making baklava and stop resisting act of his lost manhood. Robert in fact that Palestinian violence was Israeli oppression, resistance which contrast has little problem sharing a in response to Zionist conquest and forces Israel to kill them and which in homoerotic moment of dancing with murder is immaterial to Spielberg’s turn forces moral dilemmas on Spielberg, Steve in celebration and rejoicing after reasoning, nor the fact that many Kushner, and some of Israel’s other they murder Wa’il Zu’aytar in Rome. Palestinians are willing to forgive supporters in the diaspora. The sexual politics of Zionism have Israeli Jews for the continued theft certainly progressed, or so we are led of their lands and livelihoods, the to believe watching Munich. continued oppression they visit upon all The writer is Associate Professor of Modern The moral qualms that Robert and Palestinian communities in Palestine Arab Politics and Intellectual History at other members of the terrorist cell and the diaspora, and for the major Columbia University, NY. His latest book express strike the educated viewer as role Israeli and diaspora Jews play The Persistence of the Palestinian Question is uncanny, since documentary accounts in the Israeli and Western media in published by Routledge. of and interviews with Mossad agents transforming Palestinians from victims show them to have strong ideological of Israeli terror into perpetrators of it. First published in Al-Ahram Weekly, 2 Feb 2006 spring06 REVIEWS palestine news 25

son’s resistance. The family of a young woman suicide bomber speak of their Challenging the loss, telling of her deep depression after her brother’s murder by the IDF. All speak of their hopes, sometimes teetering on the edge of dispair, for a silence better future. For despite the squalid surroundings of the camp, people he title of Katie Barlow’s new manage to create what Caoimhe calls film, Visit Palestine, can be “spaces of beauty and joy”: family taken both ironically and literally. celebrations take place, young couples Palestine may not be at the top get married amid the rubble, the children ofT most people’s holiday destination joke and tease, and learn to dance. list, but the film demonstrates what a Caoimhe has no illusions that she contribution can be made by a truly can transform the situation; she can only committed ‘visitor’. Irish activist Caiomhe help to alleviate her friends’ isolation and Butterly explains how her ideological tell an apparently indifferent world the commitment grew into something much truths it is reluctant to hear. She reminds more personal, as she formed close all of us how important it is to “challenge friendships with the families she lived the silence”. with and sought to protect. Her base was Hilary Wise Jenin, with its massive refugee camp that has suffered innumerable violent Caiomhe wounded in Jenin Visit Palestine is going to be screened at the incursions by the IDF — some of them Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, on 5 April documented first hand in this powerful bombs, guns and bulldozers. We witness at 8pm and at the Curzon Soho on 9 April film. the children’s determination to achieve at 2pm. Amid death randomly dealt to the an education, when the daily act of going It will also be screened in May at the Duke men, women and children of Jenin, to school may result in death (since the of York cinema in Brighton and at the Caiomhe makes light of the leg wound beginning of the Intifada, five children Watershed in Bristol (dates to be confirmed). she herself received. But the real focus have been killed in the classrooms It will be available on DVD through PSC at of the film is on the movingly articulate of Jenin alone); we hear a mother’s £15 (80 mins). The film makes an excellent inhabitants of Jenin who talk of the resignation, waiting for the demolition of basis for a public discussion: think about friends and relations lost to Israeli her home that she knows will follow her getting a copy to show locally.

and Biennales around the world. The exhibition will also feature Occupied Space work donated by prominent artists from the UK, such as n exhibition in a London included. The work on show — much Maggi Hambling, Jake and Dinos gallery in May will be of it by artists based in Ramallah, Chapman, Antony Gormley and featuring work by Palestinian Gaza, Jerusalem and inside the Green John Keane. Sophie Calle, the artists. ‘Occupied Space Line — will demonstrate some of the Paris-based artist renowned for A— Art for Palestine’ is an exhibition varied and vibrant work being created her work that deals with identity of work in different media by artists by artists throughout the Palestinian and intimacy, private and public from Palestine, the UK and Europe. territories. space, will be showing one of her This will be a rare opportunity Palestinian artists now based bookworks, Le Bronx. to see paintings, drawings, in the UK, the US and elsewhere The exhibition is organised by photographs and sculptures by will also be contributing to the the Palestine Solidarity Campaign some of Palestine’s best known exhibition. Laila Shawa and Mona to raise awareness of artistic contemporary artists as well as Hatoum have lived practice in Palestine. All the work by younger artists embarking on in London since the will be for sale and proceeds will their artistic careers. Works by 1970s. Born in Beirut, go towards supporting PSC’s established artists Nabil Anani, the internationally campaigns in Britain. The art works Suleiman Mansour, Khalil Rabah acclaimed artist Mona will also be available for viewing, and Vera Tamari will be shown Hatoum has been living and for sale after the exhibition, alongside that of younger artists and working in London through an on-line gallery: www. Rafat Asad, Jad Salman and Rana since she came to study occupiedspace.org.uk. Bishara. Work by the distinguished and was prevented from documentary photographer Rula returning home by the Nicola Gray Halawani and by a new generation outbreak of the civil of artists experimenting with war. Her video work digital photography and new media and installations have ‘Occupied Space — Art for Palestine’ (Mohanad Yaccoubi and Shareef been shown in major Mona Hatoum at the Tate 15 — 20 May, 2006, Gallery 27, 27 Sarhan for example) will also be galleries, exhibitions Modern Cork Street, London W1S 3NG 26 palestine news REVIEWS spring06

It is remarkable that the film was actually shot mainly in Nablus despite an Israeli military siege, missile attacks, mine explosions, and the kidnapping of Paradise Now his location manager. Finally the set was moved to Nazareth to finish the film. Writer/director Hani Abu-Asad atmosphere in her surroundings, and Without giving away the ending, the from Nazareth needs no words to convey what she ambiguity of Khaled and Said’s attitudes feels. When Said comes home with to what they are doing, their mood aid and Khaled, two young friends an unexpected guest for dinner and to swings, their sense of responsibility, in their early 20s, who work in a spend the night in his room, she takes their sense of loss, tell everything garage in Nablus on the West one look at the confident figure of Jamal there is to tell about Palestinian suicide Bank, are the faces of those tens — who has met Said after work to tell bombers. This is a very important film ofS thousands of young Palestinian men him his action is set for the following day for understanding one of the tragedies who live without hope of normal security, — and she knows what her son is going of our times. And as a work of art, it is a normal jobs, normal family lives, under to do. She feeds the two with the rest great film. the pressure of the uncertainties and of the family, and looks at them in the grinding poverty of Israeli occupation. dawn as they leave, as though nothing “A lifelong imprisonment,” they call momentous is in her heart. Hani Abu- Victoria Brittain it. Both have volunteered as suicide Asad deserves his Oscar for this subtle, bombers, and they have opted to carry heart-breaking scene alone. out their action together. The film starts He brings the film into a different just before they know they have been emotional world as Said and Khaled UK premieres of chosen to avenge an assassination, with are prepared for their joint suicide in a a little casual violence from a customer disused building. The two are shaved, Paradise Now over the car repair work they have done, dressed in new suits, fed a last meal, and minutes of silent companionship, and videoed giving the political message smoking, lying in the grass, looking down that will be broadcast after their deaths. Saturday, 18 March 21.00, on the crowded city from the hills above. In between the high seriousness of the Ritzy cinema, Brixton; So far, so grim, it might appear. the wanted leader the two meet with Sunday, 19 March 18.00, But Hani Abu-Asad’s film has such reverence, and the bungled filming and ICA cinema gripping tension in its story telling, a unconcerned sandwich munching of wry humour at unexpected moments, Jamal and some of the acolytes, Abu- A special exhibit of stunning photographs covering the production a touching flicker of love, and such a Asad uses a wonderfully light touch and of the film in the town of Nablus — by brilliant illumination of the young men’s a see-saw of emotion between fear and award-winning photojournalist Seamus lives, that it has garnered praise and laughter. Murphy — will be on display during prizes in unexpected quantities, and After their crossing into Israel goes the festival run at The Ritzy. For more even been nominated for an Oscar. No wrong, there is a day of nerve-wracking information on the photographs visit book, poems or article has so completely searching for a lost Said as his bomb www.ashleywoods.com/photographers/ captured the texture of this Palestinian ticks away, and the momentum of the portfolio.php?ph=2&sr=2. life. Leaving the cinema at the end is film goes into high gear. like crossing a checkpoint from another reality. The film starts at a checkpoint, with Suha, the beautiful, confident, French-educated daughter of a revered Palestinian martyr, returning home. Without a word being exchanged, the power relations between her and the young Israeli soldier who finally nods her through are laid out. Mutual incomprehension and scorn are implied behind the two inscrutable faces from

two worlds. Se a mu s M ur p h y When smiling, relaxed Suha takes her © car to be fixed at the garage and meets Said, she is too far from her old city’s histories to understand that his life, and his stilted response to her, is marked not just by the Occupation, but by his father’s shameful past as an Israeli collaborator. By contrast, Said’s mother is a brilliantly observed portrait of a April 2004: Camera crew of “Paradise Now” filming in a residential area bombed by Israeli woman who can read every nuance of Airforces in the Old City of Nablus. spring06 REVIEWS palestine news 27

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