Palestine Updates 34/2017
Opinion
The repulsions of Israeli repression!
David Friedman, the US nominee is the ultimate hawk. To counter this defiant and conceited nomination, the international community should act. And there is only one peaceful option that remains – more and more governments must isolate Israel whether it is in the sphere of trade, cultural exchanges, or special bilateral assistance. Individuals and NGOs, religious bodies, and businesses who understand and subscribe to ethical ethics and corporate accountability must double their BDS work. Israel must feel the pinch of its insolence and the US must learn that they do not own or run the world and can get away with political intransigence. Either Israel acts as a civilized nation, or faces the wrath of the rest by being categorized as a political pariah.
In this context, the world remembers Brazil’s stubborn refusal to accept Israel’s choice of ambassador, Danny Dayan, a former settler leader. In January of this year, Israel backed down and nominated another ambassador. We need more of such steadfastness with Palestine from other nations around the world.
Apart from the Friedman appointment, there are multiple other reasons why Israel needs to be cut off. The rule of law does not seem to matter to Israel. There is evidence now to indicate that up to 90 percent of children detained by the military in the West Bank continue to be interrogated without prior access to a lawyer. And even though that is being challenged in courts by Israel legal luminaries, the harshness of the measures are unparalleled. There is also systemic separation of Arabs from Jews by law in education, access to opportunity, and separation by land, roads and water and, in the West Bank. Another example. Israeli drones have again sprayed weed killers and pesticides on Palestinian crops in the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip. A Jerusalem family was compelled to demolish its own home to avoid excessively high penalties and fines, imposed by the City Council. Israel’s parliament then voted in favour of a controversial law that detractors say will mostly target Palestinian homes built without required, but hard-to-get, permits. Palestinian citizens of Israel, descendants of the Palestinians who remained on their land after the 1948 creation of Israel know that the bill targets them. That is a long enough litany of evil and discriminatory actions for just a week or less!
On a slightly different front, we see how Israel is committing cultural theft. The theft of antiquities from Palestinian territories which started with the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967 continues. Many of the archaeological sites have been looted, which have made it difficult to keep records of the stolen pieces especially in areas out PA control, and where 60% of the archaeological sites are located. The PA is gradually is wresting back control but much too much has been lost.
Please read the news items on each of the above issues in the descriptive accounts that follow and disseminate widely please.
In solidarity
Ranjan Solomon
Editor
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Read full report
Brazil condemns Israel’s new settlement approval
Brazil has sternly criticized Israel’s approval for renewed large-scale settlement building in the occupied West Bank. “The settlements in (Palestinian territory) are illegal and amount to an obstacle for the two-state solution and for a fair and lasting peace,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. Brazil reiterated its position in favour of the creation of a Palestinian state so that “Israel and Palestine can live in peace and security.” Brazil recognized the Palestinian state in 2010 and recalled its ambassador from Israel in 2014 in protest at “disproportionate” force used by the Jewish state in the Gaza Strip. Tension also flared in 2015 when Brazil refused to accept Israel’s choice of ambassador, Danny Dayan, a former settler leader. In January of this year, Israel backed down and nominated another ambassador.
Source:
The right to a lawyer and admissibility of evidence – case analysis
On 22 February 2017, a judge at Ofer military court rejected the admissibility of a statement taken from a 15-year-old boy during interrogation on the basis that, inter alia, the boy was denied access to a lawyer prior to interrogation as required under military law. This decision has potential significance, as there is evidence to indicate that up to 90 percent of children detained by the military in the West Bank continue to be interrogated without prior access to a lawyer.
Why ‘it’s not apartheid’ arguments fail: Response to NYT op-ed

Israeli drones spraying harmful substances on Palestinians’ produce

Read also Maaan News coverage
Jerusalem family self-demolishes their home to avoid high penalties and fines

Israel approves controversial home demolition law

Palestinian police foil attempt to smuggle an antique statue from Nablus

Read full article in Al Monitor