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Reps. Knollenberg, David Law, Moss, Bieda, Casperson, Clack, Condino
Reps. Knollenberg, David Law, Moss, Bieda, Casperson, Clack, Condino, Dean, DeRoche, Garfield, Hildenbrand, Horn, Rick Jones, LaJoy, Palmer, Pastor, Proos, Scott, Stahl and Wojno offered the following resolution: House Resolution No. 159. A resolution to urge the President of the United States, the United States Congress and the United States Department of State to consult with appropriate officials in Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Authority regarding the status of missing Israeli soldiers and demand the immediate and unconditional release of three Israeli soldiers currently believed to be held by Hamas and Hezbollah. Whereas, The United States Congress expressed its concern for Israeli soldiers missing in Lebanon and the Hezbollah-controlled territory of Lebanon in Public Law 106-89 (113 Stat. 1305; November 8, 1999) which required the Secretary of State to probe into the disappearance of Israeli soldiers with appropriate government officials of Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, and other governments in the region, and to submit to the Congress reports on those efforts and any subsequent discovery of relevant information; and Whereas, Israel completed its withdrawal from southern Lebanon on May 24, 2000. On June 18, 2000, the United Nations Security Council welcomed and endorsed United Nations Secretary- General Kofi Annan's report that Israel had withdrawn completely from Lebanon under the terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 425 (1978). Nearly five years later, Israel completed its withdrawal from Gaza on September 12, 2005; and Whereas, On June 25, 2006, Hamas and allied terrorists crossed into Israel to attack a military post, killing two soldiers and wounding a third, Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped. -
Congressional Record—House H7762
H7762 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 12, 2007 we will proceed with next week’s work and Defense; Commander, Multi-Na- ried Karnit when he was captured, and next week. tional Forces—Iraq; the United States his wife had to spend their 1-year anni- f Ambassador to Iraq; and the Com- versary alone, wondering where her mander of United States Central Com- husband was and what condition he was HOUR OF MEETING ON TOMORROW mand. in. His family and friends wrote: AND ADJOURNMENT FROM FRI- GEORGE W. BUSH. ‘‘He’s a loving, caring person, always DAY, JULY 13, 2007 TO MONDAY, THE WHITE HOUSE, July 12, 2007. ready to offer a helping hand in any JULY 16, 2007 f situation. He is a man of principles and Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask values, knowledgeable in many varied unanimous consent that when the SPECIAL ORDERS subjects.’’ House adjourns today, it adjourn to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under Unfortunately, Eldad and Udi are not meet at 4 p.m. tomorrow, and further, the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- alone among Israel’s missing soldiers. when the House adjourns on that day, uary 18, 2007, and under a previous Three weeks before their capture, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on order of the House, the following Mem- Hamas kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Monday, July 16, 2007, for morning- bers will be recognized for 5 minutes Shalit. The Shalit family has also met hour debate. each. with many communities across the The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. f United States, urging people to remem- ELLISON). -
Betrayal:Shalit Deal 1
Betrayal:Shalit Deal 1 Betrayal Shalit Deal April / 2015 About AOHR-UK Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK is an independent human rights organisation based in London. It campaigns for human rights and freedom in the Middle East and North Africa. Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK PO BOX 68981 LONDON NW26 9FY Email: [email protected] Web: www.aohr.org.uk 6 Betrayal:Shalit Deal Introduction 11 Index Reactions to the Prisoner Exchange 15 The Egyptian Role 21 The Arab League 23 Harassment of released political prisoners 27 Distribution of freed political prisoners 33 Names of re-arrested political prisoners 35 Political prisoners freed after being abducted again 42 Jerusalem political prisoners convicted again 44 A letter from Jerusalem political prisoners rejecting their deportation 47 Names of political prisoners whose older convictions were reinstated 49 Occupation laws invoked to justify arrests 57 Conclusions and recommendations 63 Betrayal:Shalit Deal 7 8 Betrayal:Shalit Deal “Some political prisoners who were released yesterday as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange have had their convictions reinstated amid shameless silence from Egypt which brokered the deal and the international community which has not lifted a finger to force Israel to respect the conditions of the prisoner exchange.” M. Jamil AOHR UK Director Betrayal:Shalit Deal 9 10 Betrayal:Shalit Deal Introduction: On 18 October 2011, a deal was brokered between the Palestinian Resistance and Israel for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for 1027 political prisoners from Israeli prisons. The swap was implemented in two phases; during the first phase 450 Palestinian men, and an additional 27 females were released, a further 550 were released during the second stage. -
Democratizing the PLO
PRIO POLICY BRIEF 03 2012 Visiting Address: Hausmanns gate 7 gate Hausmanns Address: Visiting NO Grønland, 9229 PO Box (PRIO) Oslo Institute Research Peace Democratizing the PLO Prospects and Obstacles - 0134 Oslo, Norway Oslo, 0134 Visiting Address: Hausmanns gate 7 gate Hausmanns Address: Visiting NO Grønland, 9229 PO Box War (CSCW) Civil of Study the for Centre While the PLO has been recognized both by the international commu- nity and by Israel as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, the organization remains undemocratic. Its leadership is not elected. The PLO represents the secular resistance groups of the past, - 0134 Oslo, Norway Oslo, 0134 not the political reality of today. In 2011, however, an agreement was reached between the main Palestinian political groups to hold elections for the PLO. It is planned that these elections will include all Palestini- ans, regardless of their location, in accordance with the principle of ful- ISBN: 978 ISBN: www.prio.no ly proportional representation. Recent Arab uprisings for democracy make regional conditions favourable for the holding of such elections. - 82 - 7288 Meanwhile, Western governments fear that the PLO could come to be - 408 dominated by Islamists who do not recognize the State of Israel. In the - 5 (online); (online); past, such considerations have discouraged the PLO from opening up 978 for democratic reforms. However, the fall of President Hosni Mubarak - 82 - in Egypt has acted as a warning to PLO leaders that sustaining an un- 7288 - 409 democratic and secular PLO could hit back with a vengeance. - 2 (print) Dag Tuastad Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) The Legitimacy Crisis tation might be in the context of Palestinian Palestinian people at large. -
Day 1: Makom Kodesh I
Camp Ramah in N.E. 2012 Perlman Israel as a Place of Strength and Vulnerability By Aviva Perlman for 9th Grade Group Obejctives: For campers to be explore the complexities/different sides of Israel and its history as it relates to Makom Kodesh For campers to understand what makes a place Makom Kodesh To challenge campers ideas of Makom Kodesh CWBAT: Incorporate their ideas of strong/vulnerable into their definitions of makom kodesh Identify pivotal moments in Israel’s recent history that contribute to creating Makom Kodesh Day 1: Makom Kodesh I. Ice Breaker/Grabber: (5-10 minutes) Campers will say their name and a strength and weakness (alternatively, for something more fun, favorite dessert) II. Activity 1: Vulnerable/Strong (15-20 minutes) Campers will be broken into small groups. Each group will be given a list of characteristics and have to categorize them vulnerable or strong . Groups will share. After completing that task the groups will be ask to indicate which characteristics they think describe Israel. Discussion to follow Discussion: What is Makom Kodesh? (5-10 minutes) What is Makom Kodesh? What does it mean? What are some M’komot Kodeshim for you? Are there things you don’t like about these spaces? Does a place need to be strong/perfect to be considered Makom Kodesh? III. Activity 2: (10 minutes) Creating a picture of something that represents vulnerability and strength at the same time Materials for Day 1: Pictures and words for Activity 1 (two sets for each group) List of characteristics Markers Paper Pens Scrapbook paper Camp Ramah in N.E. -
Thomas Birringer Political Report Potential Implications of the Recent
Thomas Birringer RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE PALESTINIAN AUTONOMOUS TERRITORIES Political Report Potential Implications of the Recent Escalation of Violence on the Peace Process in the Middle East and the Palestinian Authority The violent escalation in the Middle East in the summer of 2006 has been caused in particular by two events: • the kidnapping of an Israeli soldiers on Israeli territory a few meters behind the border of the Gaza Strip and later the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers on the Lebanese border and • the shelling of Israel with rockets of varying range and explosive force from the two areas mentioned above by Palestinian militias in the first and the Shiite Hezbollah in the second case. The massive reactions of the Israeli army to these events demonstrate how much Israel has been hurt in its most elementary security concerns. Shortly after the kidnapping at the border of the Gaza Strip, tanks of the Israeli army have invaded the area it had left one year ago while the Israeli air force destroyed essential parts of the infrastructure, amongst them the water- and electricity supply of large parts of the population. In Lebanon, the Israeli air forces have conducted massive air strikes since the kidnapping on July 12. A ceasefire seems to be possible only after the radical- Islamic Hezbollah will have lost its capacity of threatening Israel with rockets or other attacks. On the other hand, neither Israel nor Syria has an interest in escalating the conflict to a regional war. It remains unclear to what extent Israel will be able to achieve its goal with the military means used so far - mainly air strikes and a limited ground offensive. -
2014 Gaza War Assessment: the New Face of Conflict
2014 Gaza War Assessment: The New Face of Conflict A report by the JINSA-commissioned Gaza Conflict Task Force March 2015 — Task Force Members, Advisors, and JINSA Staff — Task Force Members* General Charles Wald, USAF (ret.), Task Force Chair Former Deputy Commander of United States European Command Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell IV, USA (ret.) Former Commander, U.S. Army North Lieutenant General Richard Natonski, USMC (ret.) Former Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command Major General Rick Devereaux, USAF (ret.) Former Director of Operational Planning, Policy, and Strategy - Headquarters Air Force Major General Mike Jones, USA (ret.) Former Chief of Staff, U.S. Central Command * Previous organizational affiliation shown for identification purposes only; no endorsement by the organization implied. Advisors Professor Eliot Cohen Professor of Strategic Studies, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Corn, USA (ret.) Presidential Research Professor of Law, South Texas College of Law, Houston JINSA Staff Dr. Michael Makovsky Chief Executive Officer Dr. Benjamin Runkle Director of Programs Jonathan Ruhe Associate Director, Gemunder Center for Defense and Strategy Maayan Roitfarb Programs Associate Ashton Kunkle Gemunder Center Research Assistant . — Table of Contents — 2014 GAZA WAR ASSESSMENT: Executive Summary I. Introduction 7 II. Overview of 2014 Gaza War 8 A. Background B. Causes of Conflict C. Strategies and Concepts of Operations D. Summary of Events -
THE CHALLENGE of GAZA: Policy Options and Broader Implications
BROOKINGS 1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20036-2103 www.brookings.edu ANALYSIS PAPER Number 23, July 2011 THE CHALLENGE OF GAZA: Policy Options and Broader Implications Daniel Byman Gad Goldstein ANALYSIS PAPER Number 23, July 2011 THE CHALLENGE OF GAZA: Policy Options and Broader Implications Daniel Byman Gad Goldstein The Brookings Institution is a private non-profit organization. Its mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations for policymakers and the public. The conclusions and recommendations of any Brookings publication are solely those of its author(s), and do not reflect the views of the Institution, its management, or its other scholars. Brookings recognizes that the value it provides to any supporter is in its absolute commitment to quality, independence and impact. Activities supported by its donors reflect this commitment and the analysis and recommendations are not determined by any donation. Copyright © 2011 1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 www.brookings.edu Table of Contents Executive Summary . iv Acknowledgements . ix The Authors . x Introduction . 1 The Nature of the Challenge in Gaza . 3 Factors Beyond Gaza to Consider . 18 Policy Options . 24 THE CHALLENGE OF GAZA: Policy Options and Broader Implications The Saban Center at BRooKings iii Executive Summary lthough both the United States and Israel Hamas draws on many resources to stay in power . devote tremendous attention to the Middle Most notably, Hamas has long exploited its infra- East peace process, the Gaza Strip and its structure of mosques, social services, and communi- HamasA government have continued to vex Ameri- ty organizations to raise money and attract recruits . -
The Palestinians: Background and U.S
The Palestinians: Background and U.S. Relations Jim Zanotti Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs August 17, 2012 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL34074 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress The Palestinians: Background and U.S. Relations Summary This report covers current issues in U.S.-Palestinian relations. It also contains an overview of Palestinian society and politics and descriptions of key Palestinian individuals and groups— chiefly the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the Palestinian Authority (PA), Fatah, Hamas, and the Palestinian refugee population. The “Palestinian question” is important not only to Palestinians, Israelis, and their Arab state neighbors, but to many countries and non-state actors in the region and around the world— including the United States—for a variety of religious, cultural, and political reasons. U.S. policy toward the Palestinians is marked by efforts to establish a Palestinian state through a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; to counter Palestinian terrorist groups; and to establish norms of democracy, accountability, and good governance within the Palestinian Authority (PA). Congress has appropriated assistance to support Palestinian governance and development amid concern for preventing the funds from benefitting Palestinian rejectionists who advocate violence against Israelis. Among the issues in U.S. policy toward the Palestinians is how to deal with the political leadership of Palestinian society, which is divided between the Fatah-led PA in parts of the West Bank and Hamas (a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization) in the Gaza Strip. Following Hamas’s takeover of Gaza in June 2007, the United States and the other members of the international Quartet (the European Union, the United Nations, and Russia) have sought to bolster the West Bank-based PA, led by President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. -
The Fatah-Hamas Reconciliation Agreement of October 2017
Introduction Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik German Institute for International and Security Affairs Comments The Fatah–Hamas Reconciliation Agreement of October 2017 WP S An Opportunity to End Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis and Permanently Overcome the Blockade Muriel Asseburg Ten years after Hamas violently seized power in Gaza, and following a string of failures to reconcile the Palestinian factions, there are now signs of a rapprochement between Fatah and Hamas. In September 2017 the Hamas leadership announced it would dis- solve the administrative committee it had established in March, opening the way for the Palestinian Authority (PA) to take over the government in the Gaza Strip. In mid- October representatives of Hamas and Fatah signed an Egyptian-mediated reconcilia- tion agreement. On 1 November PA forces were deployed to the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Even if there are still major obstacles to merging the two security apparatuses, establishing a unity government, restoring the democratic process and achieving comprehensive reconciliation – the chances of the rapproche- ment preventing another round of armed conflict and improving the situation for the population in crisis-ridden Gaza are considerably better this time around. Germany and its European partners should help to accentuate the positive dynamics, support permanent improvements of the situation in Gaza through practical steps and work towards comprehensive reconciliation between the Palestinian factions. In practical terms the 12 October 2017 agree- further reconciliation measures are also to ment between the two largest Palestinian be discussed. On 21 November the smaller factions foresees the Palestinian Authority Palestinian factions are invited to put their assuming control of Gaza’s border crossings signatures to the agreement in Cairo, too. -
Contextualizing Palestinian Political Succession
Viewpoints No. 130 After Abbas: Contextualizing Palestinian Political Succession Hillel Zand Wilson Center December 2018 1 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Until Death Do Us Part “It’s possible that this is my final meeting with you. No one knows how long [I] will live. No one can force a political plan upon me that I don’t want. Only what I want will happen; I will not end my life with betrayal!”1 These are the words reported to have been spoken by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas at the Fatah Revolutionary Council’s meeting in March 2018. While details of the Council’s meetings are normally publicized, those from this most recent meeting were not. What is clear, however, is that the ailing, 83-year-old Abbas is keen on orchestrating what Palestinian leadership will look like immediately after he no longer holds the presidency. Equally clear is that, almost fourteen years into his four-year presidential mandate, and despite the fact that more than 60% of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza want him to resign, Abbas will only yield power upon his own death or incapacitation.2 The question of Palestinian succession remains an enigma, one characterized by speculation and hypotheticals, largely due to the legal ambiguousness that faces Palestinian politics. Numerous analysts have posited possible presidential contenders — from the establishment to the radicals to the wild cards — and ranked their likelihood of accession.3 Yet the identification of potential successors is immaterial in the absence of a more robust contextual framework. The most significant questions surrounding the issue of Palestinian succession are not about who could succeed Abbas, but rather, what will be the conditions in which the successor accedes to power and what factors will determine their success. -
United Nations Forum to Mark Fifty Years of Occupation
DIVISION FOR PALESTINIAN RIGHTS UNITED NATIONS FORUM TO MARK FIFTY YEARS OF OCCUPATION Ending the Occupation: The Path to Independence, Justice and Peace for Palestine 29 June 2017 Ending the Occupation: Creating the Space for Human Rights, Development, and a Just Peace 30 June 2017 (Civil Society Forum) United Nations Headquarters, New York 18-12873 2 Content Page Executive summary 3 I. Introduction 4 II. Opening session – Day 1 4 III. Plenary sessions – Day 1 5 A. Plenary session I 5 B. Plenary session II 10 IV. Key themes and recommendations – Day 1 14 V. Opening session – Day 2 17 VI. Plenary Sessions – Day 2 17 C. Plenary session III 17 D. Plenary session IV 22 VII. Key themes and recommendations – Day 2 31 Annexes I. Programme 35 II. Summary of the Chair 39 III. Statements of Member States and Intergovernmental Organizations 43 IV. List of Speakers 44 3 Executive Summary The United Nations Forum to Mark Fifty Years of Occupation was convened at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 29 and 30 June 2017, under the auspices of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP). A day-long event “Ending the Occupation: The Path to Independence, Justice, and Peace for Palestine” was followed by the civil society meeting on “Ending the Occupation: Creating the Space for Human Rights, Development, and a Just Peace”. The Forum brought together political figures, academics, civil society activists, intellectuals and diaspora representatives, including many Israelis and Palestinians, based in the Middle East and elsewhere. Participants articulated a constructive analysis of the current situation and suggestions on how to end the occupation.