We’re changing the name ‘Palestinian Territories’ to ‘Palestine’ across our products. We consult a number of sources and authorities when naming countries. In this case, we are following the lead of the UN, Icann [the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers], ISO [International Organisation for Standardisation] and other international organizations.Google spokesman Nathan Tyler • Discussing the web giant’s decision to change the name of the Palestinian edition of its search engine to “Google Palestine,” from “Google Palestinian Territories.” While the Palestinian Authority praised the move, which matched the UN’s decision to designate the contested region as a non-member observer state late last year, Israel was less happy about it. “This change raises questions about the reasons behind this surprising involvement of what is basically a private internet company in international politics, and on the controversial side,” said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor.
Put yourself in their shoes — look at the world through their eyes. It is not fair that a Palestinian child cannot grow up in a state of her own, and lives with the presence of a foreign army that controls the movements of her parents, every single day. It is not just when settler violence against Palestinians goes unpunished. It is not right to prevent Palestinians from farming their lands; to restrict a student’s ability to move around the West Bank; or to displace Palestinian families from their homes. Neither occupation nor expulsion is the answer. Just as Israelis built a state in their homeland, Palestinians have a right to be a free people in their own land.President Barack Obama • Urging Israeli citizens to pressure their own government to work harder on attaining the two-state solution which so many world leaders claim to want to see. President Obama told the crowd that “as a politician” he could assure them that their leaders would never do what wasn’t demanded of them. According to the NY Times, President Obama’s remarks were met with raucous applause, despite the generally skeptic view many Israelis have of the President. source
On Iconic Imagery: A new report from the United Nations claims that the above photo of BBC reporter Jihad al-Masharawi holding his slain child was actually the result of a wayward Palestinian rocket, and not a bombing by the Israeli Air Force as previously reported. While we suspect the news doesn’t make the loss of child any easier/harder for the young father, it certainly changes the narrative around an image that has become symbolic for last year’s 8-day conflict in Gaza which claimed the lives of 160 Palestinians and six Israelis. (Photo via Associated Press/Majed Hamdan) source
This administration — like previous administrations — has been very clear with Israel that these activities set back the cause of a negotiated peace.Secretary of State Hillary Clinton • Discussing Israel’s plan to build new settlements on the West Bank in violation of international law, a decision announced hours after the United Nations voted in favor of giving Palestine de facto statehood. While critical of the newly-announced settlements, Clinton said that the United States would continue to favor Israel in peace talks. “If and when the parties are ready to enter into direct negotiations to solve the conflict, President (Barack) Obama will be a full partner to them,” she said.
Not one single mention that settlements are illegal as they violate international law.
Fuck you BBC and your pro-Israel bullshit and fuck you Israel for continuing to steal Palestinian land.
I thought that the part about them being illegal was just assumed.
The general public have no idea that these settlements are illegal. I’m sure most people who read this article don’t even know that Israel is building on stolen Palestinian land.
Heck, the general public don’t even know that Palestine isn’t a country.
Regardless, the settlements being illegal should be one of the main talking points and should always be one of the first things that are mentioned. It should be in the headline, for starters.
You’re right about the headline, it should be made clear that these (and virtually all) settlements are illegal.
Maybe it’s just me and my friends, but when I hear about Israel doing something like this, I just assume it’s in violation of some law and/or UN Resolution.
Ninth paragraph: “About 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built since the occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.”
And that’s why you don’t take a screenshot of a story without linking to the story.
Palestine appeals to UN General Assembly: The Palestinian Authority is expected to make major headway at the United Nations today, where a majority of the General Assembly is expected to vote in favor of granting the Authority “non-member state” status. The United States continues to oppose such a change, preferring instead to see a two-state solution arise from peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. source
Not to go to the UN would be suicidal for the Palestinian Authority. All these people [in Gaza] took the brunt of the attack and now we should chicken out because they [the US and Israel] will cut off some money? What we’re doing is not violent; it’s not military; it’s not illegal. The world should see that if they keep maintaining the status quo, it will get you nothing but more bloodshed. That’s the lesson from Gaza.Senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath - Assuring the Guardian’s Chris McGreal that Palestinians’ resolve to seek recognition of statehood from the United Nations would be broken by monetary threats. Several countries, most notably the US and UK, have been pressuring the Palestinian Authority to make various concessions ahead of its next attempt to gain international recognition on November 29. Much of the concern allegedly stems from the Israeli’s government’s fear that it will be dragged before the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges related to the Gaza offensive that took place four years ago. source
I’m moving back to New York in a few days. Unlike past...
OMG. I got so...
In this week’s Newsweek, a little...
Tumblr this morning. [h/t anne]
#@#$%!.tumblr.com
Here’s a hidden feature that shipped in...
Watch: PCB gets a visual shout out on GMA’s Yahoo/Tumblr...
Egypt announced on Wednesday that a ceasefire had been reached to end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, starting later in the day.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr made the announcement in a joint news conference with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The ceasefire would come into effect at 15:00 EDT, said Amr, whose country has been at the heart of efforts to broker an end to the conflict.
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Here are the details of the agreement. This is a big development not only for Israel and Gaza, but post-revolutionary Egypt as well. If the ceasefire holds, it will be a huge win for President Mohammed Morsi, and he’ll reap lots of credit for helping broker the agreement.
“Let’s understand what the precipitating event here that’s causing the current crisis and that was an ever-escalating number of missiles that were landing not just in Israeli territory but in areas that are populated, and there’s no country on Earth that would tolerate missiles raining down on its citizens from outside its borders,” Obama said at press conference in Thailand at the start of a three-nation tour in Asia.
“So we are fully supportive of Israel’s right to defend itself from missiles landing on people’s homes and workplaces and potentially killing civilians.”
He added: “Israel has every right to expect that it does not have missiles fired into its territory. If that can be accomplished without a ramping up of military activity in Gaza, that’s preferable. It’s not just preferable for the people of Gaza. It’s also preferable for Israelis, because if Israeli troops are in Gaza, they’re much more at risk of incurring fatalities or being wounded.”
Regarding the peace process, Obama said this: “Those who champion the cause of Palestinians should recognize that if we see a further escalation of the situation in Gaza than the likelihood of us getting back on any kind of peace track that leads to a two-state solution is going to be pushed off way into the future.” Obviously, this is a hornet’s nest, but should Obama have taken this stance? Does this reflect what’s actually happening in the region?
~950 Gaza sites have been struck by IDF attacks since Wednesday
~400Palestinian missiles have hit Israel during the same period of time
180airstrikes were launched at the Gaza Strip today
three rockets have been fired at Tel Aviv from Gaza; all were intercepted
In non-numerical updates: Israeli missiles today hit Hamas police headquarters and the Gaza prime minister’s office (the PM wasn’t inside). Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi is reportedly planning to hold four-way talks with the emir of Qatar, the prime minister of Turkey, and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in an attempt to resolve the crisis. source [1] [2] [3]
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