Israel

A pro-Palestine protestor shot "like a mosquito"

Sophie — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:22:59 +0200

This amateur video, which has caused uproar on the internet, would seem to demand some serious questioning of the Israeli Army's techniques in Palestinian territories. The footage was filmed in Bil'in, a village in the West Bank near to the border with Israel.

The video was published by B'Tselem, an Israeli human rights organisation. The incident happened two months ago during a protest against the separation wall put in place by Israeli authorities, which cuts off a part of the village used for farming.

Images show the protester, 18-year-old Eran Cohen, being hit by a rubber bullet at close range. He later explained that he was protesting against the incarceration of one of his friends and that he shouted "enough with the violence!" to the soldiers, when they fired at him. He was shot in the leg and taken to the Assaf Harofeh medical centre where doctors were able to extract the bullet. Eran says that he will continue to demonstrate against the injustice served to Palestinian people, who "have received more bullets" than him.

The army said that it would investigate the incident, adding that "security forces were ordered to employ crowd dispersal means on the demonstrators".

Update: pro-Palestinian march ends in violence

Julien — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:58:10 +0200

Yesterday one of our Observers, Amal Ziada, told us she was on her way to a peaceful pro-Palestinian demonstration by Arab Israelis in northern Israel. The event went along as planned, with speeches and a symbolic release of black balloons. But as they were leaving, Amal says, the Arabs were confronted by a group of right-wing Israelis with banners. Tension escalated and Israeli police intervened - firing tear gas and "voice bombs," according to the demonstrators. Our Observers sent photos and video footage.

Sixty years of Israel – Happy Birthday?

Julien — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:46:46 +0200

Photo: David A McKee

The state of Israel was created 60 years ago this week. While Israel celebrates the anniversary of its creation, the Arab world mourns the displacement of the Palestinians - referred to as the "Nakba," or catastrophe. Our Observers, Israeli and Palestinian, tell us how they are commemorating the event.

"Anonymous" Israeli propaganda on YouTube

Julien — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:01:37 +0200

Just under a month ago we published a post about a terrorist shooting in a Talmudic school in Jerusalem. Now, daily Israeli newspaper Haaretz has revealed that the government used YouTube, under an anonymous guise, to broadcast these images as a provocative reminder of the event.

The video, which has an amateur appearance, was published on March 10 under the name of "AtiyaRachel". But The Marker, the business supplement of Haaretz, revealed that it was actually the Prime Minister's office behind the videos, entitled "Emergency call" and "Act NOW. Stop the terror, stop the bloodshed". Warning, you may find some of the images upsetting.

“Hamas and Fatah take a great step forward”

Julien — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:41:12 +0100

Fatah and Hamas had – officially – cut off contact with each other since Hamas seized control of Gaza this past June. However, while in Yemen recently for talks they signed a joint declaration of "reconciliation". Our Palestinian Observer believes this agreement could aid the peace process.

What's McCain doing in Israel?

Julien — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:12:06 +0100

John McCain arrived in Israel on Tuesday as part of a trip to the Middle East. Is the White House hopeful really interested in helping with a peace process in the region as he says, or just looking to please the pro-Israeli electorate in the US? Our Observers pose the question.

Amongst other talked-about statements during his visit to the country, McCain on Tuesday pronounced Jerusalem as the "capital of Israel". Although he urged the speeding-up of a regional peace process, he also gave his support to Israel's tough policy in response to Hamas's offensive, saying that "no nation in the world can be attacked incessantly ... without responding". While the Republican candidate did not visit the Palestinian territories, he did phone President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss negotiations.

Material compiled by our Observer for Israel, Roi Ben-Yehuda.

"We’re waiting anxiously for the Israeli backlash"

Julien — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:33:59 +0100

The school after the shooting, 6 March 08. Photo: www.juif.org

An armed man walked into a religious school on Thursday evening and opened fire leaving eight dead and several injured. Our Observers in the region - young Palestinian Rafe Jabari and Israeli Talmudic teacher Ariel Woolf - react to the killing.

Assoud, the Hamas 'holy war' rabbit

Julien — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:45:02 +0100

The Hamas TV channel Al-aqsa has been broadcasting an "educational" programme for 7-13 year-olds called "Tomorrow's Pioneers" for almost a year now. Watching young presenter Saraa Barhoum talking to a big teddy animal on a colourful set, you'd think it was like any other children's programme. But if you understand what she's saying, you might find subject topics a bit different from those going on on Button Moon. That's because the content of the show is saturated with Hamas ideology. The result? Endearing cuddly characters with squeaky voices conveying anti-Zionist and anti-occidental messages, hailing Muslims and conversion to Islam and encouraging the holy war and martyrs.

Are the dildos Kosher?

Julien — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:08:16 +0100

In an effort to boost the quality and quantity of Israel's sex life, Tel-Aviv recently hosted the country's first ever sex festival. The 'Sextival' was co-sponsored by Playboy, and organized by ex-model Nitzan Kirshenboin. The event featured an array of stalls, workshops, toy sales, erotic shows, Playboy bunnies, and art exhibitions. The highlight of the Sextival was a contest crowning the best stripper in Israel (broadcast live on Israel's digital cable channel Ego), and a raffle with a trip for two to Hugh Hefner's legendary Playboy mansion up for grabs. Although the event brought out a few protesters, for the most part the three-day affair went without any problems.

Does the army make "real Israelis"?

Julien — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:09:00 +0100

It’s estimated that around 25% of Israelis don’t complete their mandatory military service. This group is largely made up of Arab-Israelis, Ultra-Orthodox Jews, married and religious women and individuals with physical and psychological disorders, but it also includes many who simply refuse to partake. These "conscientious objectors" are the target of a critical campaign from conservative Israeli groups.