Daily Star, Friday, June 26, 2009.

Photo: Zoriah (c). Israeli air strikes on Beirut in 2006.

BEIRUT: The Israeli Army stepped up its presence along the border with Lebanon deploying armored tanks and setting up fortifications as it intensified airspace violations in the area, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported Thursday. In “unusual military activity,” the Israeli Army deployed Merkava tanks and soldier carriers, among other armored vehicles, along the barb-wired fence separating Shebaa Farms from liberated Lebanese territories, the NNA said.

Israeli tanks were also amassing along a 5-kilometer area, stretching from Tallat Sobaih army post to Jabal al-Sheikh observatory. Sporadic gunfire was also heard throughout the day, the NNA report said.

(…اكثر)

video report on Israeli Apartheid on Trial event on Bil’in Palestine by Boban Chaldovich.

Photo: Valerian Mazataud. Presentation in Montreal from Mohamed Khatib of Bil’in.

A video report by filmmaker Boban Chaldovich on the Montreal conference on Bil’in’s strugle against Israeli colonization. Watch the video on Bil’in Palestine: view on-line.

Bil’in village has launched a historic lawsuit in Quebec against two locally registered companies, Quebec Superior Court against Green Park International and Green Mount International, which are accused of illegally constructing residential and other buildings on the village’s lands. According to the lawsuit, the lands of Bil’in are subject to the rules and obligations of international law because the West Bank is currently under Israeli military occupation.

(…اكثر)

Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) opposes Israeli apartheid.

Photo: Protest against the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip at Erez Crossing, Palestine.

Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) a major trade federation in Quebec has voted to support the international campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israeli apartheid, a major step forward for the Palestinian solidarity movement in Quebec.

(…اكثر)

photo essay by Antoine Rouleau

Photo: Antoine Rouleau. Colors of Palestine at Bil’in solidarity protest in Montreal.

A photo essay by photographer Antoine Rouleau capturing the Bil’in solidarity protest outside the Palais de justice de Montréal to coincide with the opening the lawsuit launched by Bil’in village at the Quebec Superior Court against two Montreal registered companies constructing Israeli colonies on Bil’in lands. A decision on the jurisdiction of the Quebec courts to hear Bil’in’s case is expected within the upcoming months, stay tuned for updates and other Palestinian solidarity actions.

(…اكثر)

Haaretz, June 2009, by Gideon Levy

Photo: Palestinian grave bombed in the Gaza Strip.

It might be useful to recall who this Tamir is. From his stint as commander of the Golani infantry brigade – when his troops twice shelled the Jenin market (2002), killing several children, including two small brothers – to Operation Autumn Clouds in Gaza (2006) which he commanded, he has been responsible for wanton bloodshed, with at least half the 80 Palestinians killed on his watch being civilians.

Nor should we forget the notorious shelling of the Gaza town of Beit Hanun under his command and responsibility (also in 2006), in which a volley of 11 unnecessary shells were fired at a residential neighborhood, in the wake of which the Israel Defense Forces of course blamed the cannon’s computer chip instead of the division commander, Chico Tamir. We would do well to pause and wonder why an officer like this, with the blood of innocents on his hands, earns such praise from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. But let that pass.

(…اكثر)

Bil’in village continues battle against Israeli settlements in Quebec courts

Photo: Valerian Mazataud. Mohamed Khatib from Bil’in, Palestine.

Bil’in village’s legal battle against two Quebec-based companies for constructing Israeli settlements on Palestinian land continues.

After a week of hearings at the Quebec Superior Court, Bil’in’s lawsuit is now being considered by Justice Louis-Paul Cullen. A response from the judge is expected in the upcoming months.

“Bil’in’s case was fully argued, the illegality of Israeli settlements under international and Canadian law was clearly outlined,” outlines Bil’in’s Canadian lawyer Mark Arnold.

(…اكثر)

Agence France-Presse (AFP), June 26th, 2009.

Photo: Author Naomi Klein

Bil’in, West Bank — Bestselling author Naomi Klein on Friday took her call for a boycott of Israel to the occupied West Bank village of Bilin, where she witnessed Israeli forces clashing with protesters.

“It’s a boycott of Israeli institutions, it’s a boycott of the Israeli economy,” the Canadian writer told journalists as she joined a weekly demonstration against Israel’s controversial separation wall.

(…اكثر)

Montreal Gazette, June 25, 2009, by Sue Montgomery.

Photo: Valerian Mazataud. Palestinian Mohamed Khatib at the Quebec Superior Court.

MONTREAL — Two Canadian companies that are building condominiums for Israeli settlers in the West Bank are committing a war crime, a lawyer representing a tiny Palestinian farming village that is trying to sue the firms by using Canada’s War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity Act argued Thursday.

After three days of hearings in Quebec Superior Court on motions filed by lawyers of Green Park International Inc. and Green Mount International Inc. to have the suit thrown out, lawyer Mark Arnold argued the case should go to trial.

(…اكثر)

Al Jazeera, June 2009 by Jacky Rowland in Jerusalem.

Photo: ActiveStills. Palestinian home demolished by Israel in Jerusalem.

The Palestinian village of Silwan clings to a steep hillside facing the southern walls of Jerusalem’s Old City.

In the valley below, Al Bustan neighbourhood stretches out in the shadow of Haram al-Sharif, also known as the Temple Mount. It is a setting rich in meaning for Muslims, Jews and Christians.

(…اكثر)

call for court solidarity surrounding the historic lawsuit launched by Bil’in village.

JUNE 2009: Montreal, Quebec
Tuesday, June 23, 9h30 – 16h00
Thursday, June 25, 9h30 – 16h00
Quebec superior court
room 16.08
1 Notre Dame east
métro Place-d’Armes/Champs-de-Mars

(…اكثر)