66 times: I’m not an Arab Israeli, I’m not an Israeli woman

I was just informed that Haaretz website published an article “66 Israeli women you should know” marking 66 years for the “independence”, our Nakba. I was included in this list without knowing about it!
Firstly, it is NOT an honor to me, at all, to be included in anything that has to do with the day Israelis celebrate colonialism of my land and displacement of my people. Secondly, I’m not an “Israeli woman” not an “Israeli Arab”. How many times should we repeat this?

موقع هآرتس نشر مقالا يحتوي على قائمة “٦٦ إمرأة إسرائيلية عليكم معرفتهن” بمناسبة مرور ٦٦ عام على “الإستقال”، نكبتنا. لقد تم إدراج إسمي وسيرة ذاتية عني دون علمي.
أولا، أبدا لا يشرفني أن يتم ذكري في مناسبة يحتفل بها الإسرائيليون باستعمار أرضي وتهجير شعبي. ثانيا، أنا لست “امرأة إسرائيلية”، ولا “عربية اسرائيلية”.
مما اقتضى التنويه.

 

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World Bank Violates its Own Mandate, Invests in Israeli Based Companies

A few months ago, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank’s investment arm, made an investment in two Israeli private companies, based in Israel. This violates IFC mandate to operate only in developing countries. 

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is the arm of the World Bank that funds the private sector in developing countries in an aim to fight poverty, as explained on its website: “IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector in developing countries.” Furthermore, “IFC’s vision is that people should have the opportunity to escape poverty and improve their lives.” It provides funding in the form of loans and/or equities to companies operating in developing countries. By its mandate it cannot invest in high income countries.

Boycott campaign is essential for effective pressure on Israel

This article was published first on The National 

The Palestinian cause is not a charity. The international community, however, has often failed to grasp the nature of the struggle for justice, preferring to channel funds to Palestinian “development” projects to compensate for the lack of will to put serious pressure on Israel. That mentality has been challenged by two recent reports that suggest that lip service to justice for Palestinians could be transformed into critical action.

Read about Oppression, Act for Prisoners

Last Thursday, another layer from Israel’s democratic mask, was removed.

A farewell to comrade Mustafa Tamimi

Dear comrade Mustafa

Last Friday, I wasn’t there… I couldn’t make it to Nabi Saleh and I regret.

I could not be there to stand with the brave people of Nabi Saleh in this difficult time, and I could not be there to say good bye.

Please forgive me Mustafa, when I first heard you were shot, and then saw the pictures, I had to struggle with my stomach feeling that you will not make it. And you did not. How would you survive tear gas canister shot in your face from few meters distance, and then delaying your treatment by the Israeli criminal army?

I remember your braveness during Nabi Saleh’s weekly rallies, facing the army with open chest. I apologize to you for not having your courage. Your life doesn’t worth less than mine.

Today, Mustafa, we all cried during the protest we held in Ramallah. We decided first to make it silent, as a symbolic funeral. No one could remain silent, and we chanted like we never did.

It was the first demo I ever attended where most of the protesters were crying. Crying and screaming, crying and chanting, crying and singing.

Your murder Mustafa, made us feel so hopeless and powerless. We ask your forgiveness that we could not save your precious life.

Dear Mustafa, for the time being I’m afraid to make promises, as we have learned not to make promises bigger than us. I can only promise you that I will continue going to Nabi Saleh, I will not give up the hope, exactly as you didn’t. I promise you that your courage will keep inspiring me and giving me strength.

Rest in peace comrade.

ديمقراطية إسرائيل الصورية في خطر

اعربت هيلاري كلينتون قبل أيام عن “قلقها” من سلسلة القوانين الإسرائيلية التي تهدد الديمقراطية في إسرائيل.

ليست هي المرة الأولى التي تعبر فيها كلينتون و الإدارة الأمريكية عنوماً عن “قلق” مشابه في السابق من ممارسات إسرائيلية، ضمنها بعض مشاريع الاستيطان الإسرائيلي.

When colonialism embedded in liberalism

Larry Derfner’s piece on 972 in response to Joseph Dana, contains typical Zionist arguments, which normally do not prompt me to respond, except that this time, he called them “liberal Zionist” arguments. Honestly, I don’t know what is liberal about them.

Judge Goldstone presides: Apartheid vs. State of Israel

Co-written with Omar Rahman

Richard Goldstone could give those guys at AIPAC a run for their money. So misleading was his recent whitewash in the New York Times on the apparent slander “Israeli Apartheid,” that hasbara peddlers everywhere were taking his picture off their dartboards and putting them on their mantles.

Mr. President, we don’t want a shortcut, we want our freedom

First published on Mondoweiss  click here for Arabic Version 

This morning Mr. President you are so popular in Israel. You are the king of Israel. You did great job. It will be such a shame if you lose the next elections after such a speech.

While you where speaking at the UN, Ahed Wahdan, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy who was shot yesterday by Israeli soldiers with rubber bullet in his eye, listened to you.

The boundaries of July 14

Published 18/8/2011 © bitterlemons-international.org

Although some Israelis are calling for making a clear connection to Israel’s occupation, the July 14 movement for “social justice” is far from endorsing a position on this, for many reasons.