Gaza: In The Eyes Of The Beholder

Khader Adnan's letter from hospital, still dying to live. ACT NOW

2012-02-11T19:25:00.001+02:00

Khader Adnan's letter from hospital, still dying to live. ACT NOW

Still on hunger strike for the 56th consecutive day, Khader Adnan, 33, graduate student, sends this letter from Zaiv hospital in Safad:

“I started my battle offering my soul to God almighty and adamant to go ahead until righteousness triumphs over falsehood. I am defending my dignity and my people’s dignity and not doing this in vain.

"The Israeli occupation has gone to extremes against our people, especially prisoners. I have been humiliated, beaten, and harassed by interrogators for no reason, and thus I swore to God I would fight the policy of administrative detention to which I and hundreds of my fellow prisoners fell prey,” Adnan wrote.

His letter, delivered by Jalal Abu Wasil, a lawyer from the Palestinian ministry of prisoners affairs who visited him in hospital, also highlighted that Adnan refused to be examined by doctors.

“Here I am in a hospital bed surrounded with prison wardens, handcuffed, and my foot tied to the bed. The only thing I can do is offer my soul to God as I believe righteousness and justice will eventually triumph over tyranny and oppression.”

“I hereby assert that I am confronting the occupiers not for my own sake as an individual, but for the sake of thousands of prisoners who are being deprived of their simplest human rights while the world and international community look on," he wrote.

"It is time the international community and the UN support prisoners and force the State of Israel to respect international human rights and stop treating prisoners as if they were not humans.”

This letter was published today by Maan News Agency.

Hunger strike in Gaza, West Bank and everywhere else continues by those who support Khader Adnan, including myself.

Here is a little quote that was mentioned in Human Rights Watch’s report about Khader Adnan:

“Adnan, 33, has been on hunger strike for 55 days. According to a 2006 study by the British Medical Association, “during the 1980 and 1981 hunger strikes in Northern Ireland […] death generally occurred between 55 and 75 days.” In general, “the final stage” of a hunger strike occurs between 45 to 75 days “due to cardiovascular collapse or severe arrhythmias,” the study said.”

The report is a must read and circulate, you can find the full version here:

http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/02/11/israel-hunger-striker-s-life-risk

Khader Adnan represents the case of numerous Palestinian prisoners who were detained and imprisoned illegally so act not to help him and all the others. Here is a list of actions you can do:

You can join Addameer's campaign to STOP ILLEGAL DETENTION by checking out this link that shows you what to do and who to contact:

http://addameer.info/?p=1080#more-1080

You can sign this petition:

http://www.change.org/petitions/demand-the-immediate-release-of-khader-adnan

And\or this petition:

http://signon.org/sign/khader-adnans-life-at-1?source=c.fwd&r_by=2447156

And\or this petition:

http://samidoun.ca/2012/02/take-action-for-hunger-striking-palestinian-prisoner-khader-adnan/

You can also check this link for more info about Khader Adnan and how to take action:

http://palestinesolidarityproject.org/2012/02/08/take-urgent-action-day-53-of-khader-adnan%E2%80%99s-hunger-strike/

Here is Gaza's tribute to Khader Adnan, people joined a sit-in tent at ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) HQ.'s in Gaza while others demonstrated. Many went on a hunger strike in solidarity with Khader Adnan including myself. Here is Joe Catron's pictures of the ICRC sit-in tent in Gaza:

http://joecatron.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/pictures-gaza-hunger-strike-for-khader-adnan-continues/

Act now and help us save Khader Adnan's life before its too late.

From Gaza with love,

Omar

Khader Adnan: Dying to live. What will you do to help save his life?

2012-02-10T14:13:00.002+02:00

Khader Adnan: Dying to live. What will you do to help save his life?

Imagine life was normal until one day everything changed. You woke up to find out that your father\husband\son\brother\uncle\friend was ILLEGALY detained and placed in jail. If you are a normal human being you will be shocked and devastated, the first thing that will come to your mind is to go and ask why was the person you care about detained? Am I right?

What would you do if you were told that the reason behind the detention of your loved one was “classified” and a “secret”? It doesn’t stop here. What would you feel if you were told that he will be detained for six months and then maybe sentenced for more and YOU CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT? I know I would go crazy.

Now lets step out of imagination and let me tell you that this person actually exists, he is a human being like you and me. He has a family, friends and an actual life. His name is Khader Adnan, 33, graduate student, married with two beautiful daughters and his wife is now pregnant. He was detained ILLEGALLY by Israeli police on the bases of an unexcused illegitimate court order. Imagine being detained with illegally which means you cant be with your daughters and your wife who is expecting a new baby to be born soon. Better yet, don’t imagine. Try to think about Khader Adnan and his family and what they are going through now. He went on a hunger strike 55 days ago and since then his health has been deteriorating every second.

After the 42nd day of a hunger strike, it is expected that individuals will begin to lose their hearing and vision, and suffer bleeding in the gums, intestines, and esophagus. The body will gradually stop functioning. After the 45th day, there is a high risk of death due to vascular system collapse and/or cardiac arrest.

Each day, Khader was subjected to two three-hour interrogation sessions. Throughout the interrogation sessions, his hands were tied behind his back on a chair with a crooked back, causing extreme pain to his back. Khader notes that the interrogators would leave him sitting alone in the room for half an hour or more. Khader also suffered from additional ill-treatment. During the second week of interrogation, one interrogator pulled his beard so hard that it caused his hair to rip off. The same interrogator also took dirt from the bottom of his shoe and rubbed it on Khader's mustache as a means of humiliation.

On Friday evening 30 December 2011, Khader was transferred to Ramleh prison hospital because of his deteriorating health from his hunger strike. He was placed in isolation in the hospital, where he was subject to cold conditions and cockroaches throughout his cell. He has refused any medical examinations since 25 December, which was one week after he stopped eating and speaking. The prison director came to speak to Khader in order to intimidate him further and soldiers closed the upper part of his cell's door to block any air circulation, commenting that they would "break him" eventually.

Randa was able to visit her husband last Tuesday evening after he was transferred to Zeif hospital in Safad. Imagine seeing your husband in a hospital after being on a hunger strike for 52 days protesting his illegal detention. Randa had this to say: “A lot of the hair on his face and head has fallen off. He has not been allowed to shower or wash during all his time in detention, nor is he allowed to wear warm clothes in this cold weather. He told me he feels he’s living the last moments of his life. During my visit, my husband's heart swelled up and a medical crew neglected him for half an hour." Randa was shocked and heartbroken after she visited her husband.

I will leave you with this final thought: Imagine the brutality of being on trial in your hospital bed because you are too sick to attend the court, Israeli court actually held a session at the hospital. He is too ill because he is starving himself in protest of his illegal detention. How brutal is that?

Do you feel like you want to help Khader Adnan? Help save his life? Because human life matters and its time we acknowledged that? Do you want to save a father\son\husband\brother\uncle\friend? Do you want to save somebody’s life? Do you want to act against injustice and illegal detention? Well guess what? You can actually do something about it. Don’t underestimate any little, singular or individual act because acting and putting pressure can make a difference, and can save a life.

If you live in Gaza, Palestine, Arab countries or international countries you can still make a difference from where you are. I will post links here of all petitions, action alerts and articles that can help you do something to save Khader’s life. Please read one and\or one of these links and ACT NOW TO HELP US SAVE HIS LIFE.

You can join Addameer's campaign to STOP ILLEGAL DETENTION by checking out this link that shows you what to do and who to contact:

http://addameer.info/?p=1080#more-1080

You can sign this petition:

http://www.change.org/petitions/demand-the-immediate-release-of-khader-adnan

And\or this petition:

http://signon.org/sign/khader-adnans-life-at-1?source=c.fwd&r_by=2447156

And\or this petition:

http://samidoun.ca/2012/02/take-action-for-hunger-striking-palestinian-prisoner-khader-adnan/

You can also check this link for more info about Khader Adnan and how to take action:

http://palestinesolidarityproject.org/2012/02/08/take-urgent-action-day-53-of-khader-adnan%E2%80%99s-hunger-strike/

http://joecatron.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/pictures-gaza-hunger-strike-for-khader-adnan-continues/

Khader Adnan receives message of support from former Hunger Striker Tommy McKearney:

Lets not wait for officials to move. Lets not wait for Khader to die or others to die so we can decide to do something. Back In the 1980s, nobody helped Tommy. They only released him after the death of 10 of his supporters who went on a hunger strike with him. Tommy went on hunger strike for 66 days. Lets not keep Khader waiting for that long. Move now. You don’t have any excuse not to. You can act in any way possible.

Use social media, spread the word, write about it, go on a hunger strike for a day (not before you consult an adult if you are a child or a doctor if you are sick), demonstrate for him, hold vigils, put pressure and once again PLEASE READ THE LINKS I POSTED TO TAKE ACTION NOW.

Clock is ticking. Have you done anything to save Khader’s life yet?

In Solidarity with Khader Adnan & all other illegally-detained prisoners around the world specially

Palestinians,

Omar 4m Gaza

I used Maan news agency and Mondoweiss as my references. You can check their websites here:

http://www.maannews.net/arb/Default.aspx

http://mondoweiss.net/

My Utopia: Palestine, Africa, Obama + Oprah, No SOPA or PIPA

2012-01-29T10:20:00.001+02:00

My Utopia: Palestine, Africa, Obama + Oprah, No SOPA+PIPA

I think most people spend some time or thoughts to form their own personal Utopia in their mind. Some might call it simpler things than Utopia like their own world or bubble…etc. For numerous moments in my life I felt like I wanted to disappear, vanish, or even orb away. I craved isolation. I always wanted to move to a deserted Island or call NASA and offer “voluntarily” to fly to any new planet and try it out –as long as I am the only one there- but I didn’t. Karina Pasian Has a song called “Mercury” where she sings about her desire to go to Mercury and there is this part where she sings: “I have been waiting patiently for my spaceship to come for me”. I knew perfectly what she meant, in a way I was –too- waiting patiently for some spaceship to come for me.

But come on, I’m not delusional. I know that I wouldn’t last for one week, and then I will need people again. Plus I am too ambitious for my own sake and I can’t just become this introverted creature who doesn’t need people. Therefore, I came up with my own version of “Utopia” that I molded and formed in my mind over numerous sleepless nights.

Welcome to my Utopia:

I cant believe we are in 2020 already. Its like time flew by so quickly. I woke up this morning at 6 am when the sun hit every corner of my little cosy but spacious cocoon. I have no walls and the large transparent windows allow the sun to quickly and gently invade every corner of my cocoon and become my own natural alarm.

I woke up feeling refreshed and relaxed after a calm night of sky-watching followed by soft music and reading. I walked happily to my wooden porch and sat there drinking fresh juice while I absorb the crisp morning breeze mixed with the fresh smell of the ocean. The ocean view from my windows is spectacular.

As I walk on the beach munching on fresh berries, I cant help but remember how life was a little over a decade ago. I cant express my happiness when I heard that medicine finally defeated AIDS and Cancer. Life is simpler now, money isn’t a goal in people’s lives, and GLADLY technology no longer controls our life. I am so relaxed now that I don’t spend half my day on my old and dated laptop.

While riding my bicycle to work through Gaza’s breathtaking cornice, I flash a spontaneous smile. I am excited to be writing books now and motivating + helping people become better. The weekend is in two days and I have to decide which city in Palestine I will be visiting, I will need to call some friends. Now that Palestine is free, I can easily drive through every city in Palestine and enjoy every corner of my free country.

Perhaps I will plan a world tour after I finish touring Palestine. Thank god Palestinians are treated equally everywhere now, we can easily travel. We aren’t labeled as terrorists, racists, invented, or extremists anymore. That ended long ago. Now we are free, self sufficient and acknowledged globally for being such an amazing country that indulges in such a good economy, rich culture, strong education, impeccable security, fruitful agriculture, prosperous reputation and just a force to be reckoned with.

I will never forget the Palestinian division, it ended long ago and we still made jokes about it. We also make jokes about internal corruption and nepotism. The past few years were amazing; I was a proud member of international committees that helped end violence, wars, hatred, bullying and all kinds of abuse worldwide. I think the world is pretty much doing much better now because the people know better and have done better through the past years.

I am proud of all Arab countries today, they gave the power to the people whom used it responsibly and stopped every bad foreign intervention. I am actually proud to call myself “ARAB” today. People are united everywhere regardless of religion, financial status or social status. We are all one. Muslims no longer classify each other as Sunni or Shiite; Muslims are all one strong nation now and friends with everyone.

Life is back to its original simplicity. We have the option of calling, texting, emailing, tweeting, bbming or buzzing each other easily, but we choose to see each other personally and hug instead of relying on technology to show passion. Doctors went back to giving children lollipops when they visit. Children went back to being children instead of becoming adults in small little bodies.

I live in a world where I am enough. I don’t need to seek perfection or play any dirty game to get a job or be accepted by my friends. I told that to Oprah when we met for tea in the afternoon while I was visiting America last November. We remembered Maya Angelou and her infinite wisdom. We met again the next day with Bill Gates, Angelina Julie and a group of the world’s most influential people to discuss philanthropy. My visit to Africa was breath taking. The Western world finally left it alone after sucking the life out of it and emptying its oil resources. But Africa has been recovering and using its renewed oil resources for its own good. Poverty, illiteracy and diseases are fading away slowly with time and hard work against them.

I met with Obama 2 months ago, we had a good laugh. I told him that he sucked and I reminded him why he only served for 1 presidential term. I scolded him for passing SOPA and PIPA. It was a good day in the whole world when those two stupid laws were deleted. Internet is even freer now and twitter tried censorship for a while then went back to their old state of no censorship. Facebook stopped their BS and gave us our old layout back.

I called my friend Iman in Paris, she told me both Niqab and veil are no longer banned in France, Germany, Italy or anywhere. I reminded her of our get-together later this year. I will turn my little cocoon and the whole beach in Gaza into a huge beach camp and welcome all Palestinians and pro-Palestinians to come visit Palestine. Tariq Shadid a.k.a. Doc Jazz will sing for us, I will finally get to walk on the beach with Ali Abu Nimah, and listen to a poetry competition between Remi Kanazi; Suheri Hammad and Rafeef Zeyadeh. Then we will enjoy tasting amazing art when Larissa Sansour shows us her latest exhibition. It will be awesome. So many good friends and most of them are breathtaking artists. Rami kashou, Palestinian renowned Fashion designer, will also tell us stories about his old memories with all the celebrities. He will dish about who was the biggest Diva and who lied about her real measurements.

Thanks to knowledge, awareness and kindness we turned our world into UTOPIA.

Ok, as you can see I am so busy. I gotta run. Write you later.

Omar from Gaza

@Omar_Gaza on twitter

Jerusalem is "Al Quds" Lets not forget that

2012-01-18T22:47:00.001+02:00

Jerusalem is "Al Quds" Lets not forget that!

Gaza, January 18, I would like to start by expressing my shame and embarrassment. Why did I wait for #Blog4Quds day for me to write something about Jerusalem “Al Quds”? Why havent I written anything before since Jerusalem, for me, represents the core and essence of the Palestinian cause. I take this opportunity today to promise myself and you all to write more about Jerusalem.

Many of you already know about the history of Jerusalem. But for those who have misleading info or shortage in info about Al Quds I have a few words for you: Jerusalem “Al Quds” is the capital of Palestine. Enough said. I don’t need to say more. I choose not to go into historical statistics and clichés that you can find everywhere, instead I will write something personal.

A very important issue that I would like to Address: Israeli drilling, digging, plowing and scraping works under Al Aqsa mosque. They think they will make us less Palestinians by digging under Al Aqsa mosque. When that didn’t happen, they resorted to Judaising Eastern Jerusalem by kicking people out using the illogical pretext of “breaking construction” rules to confiscate Palestinian homes and give them to Jewish settlers or sell them to Israelis. But that will never work because we will never give Jerusalem up whatsoever. Arab personalities and committees announced their resentment and disapproval about Israel’s ethnic & cultural cleansing actions but did no actions to stop them. The world watched Jerusalem get raped daily and decided to stay silent and turn its head in a different direction.

We live in a consuming world that is moving very fast, life doesn’t wait for anyone. We struggle daily to keep our life in order while keep on fighting “non-violently” for our country’s freedom. Talking from a personal experience, living in Gaza makes you sometimes forget that Palestine consists of Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem. We live under siege and daily life here eats you up to the extent that you have to keep reminding yourself that Gaza IS NOT Palestine, its just a part of it.

Jerusalem is being taken from us bit-by-bit every day and it hurts. Imagine somebody taking away your honor, dignity and masculinity while you watch helplessly. Even if we forgot about Jerusalem for a second, Jerusalem will remind us of it by its constant screaming for rescue and salvation. We will never forget you or let go of you Jerusalem even if it looks like we did. Don’t lose hope or faith in us. We remain your loyal children.

The second Intifada (Known as “Al Aqsa “ Intifada) started in September 28^th of 2000 when Ariel Sharon, accompanied by a huge amount of police and security, toured Al Aqsa mosque and Haram Al Sherif with a group of extremist Jews. Two days later, Muhammed Al Dura, 12 years old, was killed by Israeli soldiers while he was hiding behind his dad’s back. They were both unarmed civilians. Jerusalem then became a bigger demand and a stable right that we will never give up.

If you visited Jerusalem you would know that the atmosphere there is unique, your feelings toward the city would be unique also. I don’t know a single Palestinian or Arab who hasn’t cried when he\she visited Al Aqsa mosque or Jerusalem city. Its not called the holy city for nothing. Jerusalemites live a daily struggle to defend their identity that Israel viciously tries to diminish. They fight against a cold war of cultural cleaning. Yet, Jerusalem’s old city embraces the vivid and splendid old markets that offers you a unique and personal experience, not only things to buy.

Jerusalem is also the destination that hundreds of Christians from around the world visit to perform their pilgrimage. Call me hopeful, self-centered or delusional but I do believe that Jerusalem is the center of the world. Take a look at the city glowing at night and tell me if that doesn’t take your breath away:

I would conclude by saying: Jerusalem is carved in our hearts; it’s a piece of our soul and the core of our cause. We might not be taking about it every day but that doesn’t mean we will ever forget it or stop trying to answer its daily pleads of help and rescue. Jerusalem is bleeding but you wont notice it unless you really love it.

I wish the Palestinian conflicting parties would spend their time on rescuing Jerusalem instead of fighting endlessly about a few chairs. If we lost Jerusalem, those chairs wont matter anymore. I will also say to myself: “Add Jerusalem to your daily struggles instead of just fighting Israel’s siege”. Jerusalem needs us. Lets not just answer by writing about it today. Lets keep it in our thoughts every day.

Jerusalem, forgive me because all I can offer you now a poem:

You shall not cry or bleed

You shall not be forgotten

Your love is planted like a seed

In our souls, we do listen

You are not a charity deed

You are not a case of a sudden

You are history, heritage and existence

You’re not just a city or a word in a sentence

We will punish those who rape you

Will come to your rescue

We will come

Yes we will come

Led by your golden glowing dome

Follow me on twitter: @Omar_Gaza

Gaza war - 3rd anniversary: We moved on

2011-12-27T17:42:00.001+02:00

Gaza war - 3rd anniversary: We moved on

Gaza, December 27, Today we mark the 3^rd anniversary of Israel’s vicious war on Gaza. Three years have passed. Wow. Three years ago today, at 12:30 pm, I was playing with my nephew in the living room when the whole ground shook. Israeli F16s, Apaches and drones suddenly filled the air and bombings were happening. We never guessed it was the start of a vicious war that will leave us with no water, electricity, food or movement for 24 days.

I remember running to my nephew and trying to cover him with my body. And then hell opened. Hundreds of Gazans were killed in cold blood while thousands got injured. Neighbor hoods were wiped out and death filled the air.

Three years after, here we are. Gaza is stronger, brighter, better and life springs from every corner of it. We have moved on. You see now many new buildings and many others under construction. Psychological and physical wounds are healing well.

We honor the martyrs, injured and medics today for giving their life to Gaza and by keeping the land moist with their pure blood. Life goes on and people thrive for life even more now. I will steal Rafeef Ziadeh’s sentence and say, “In Gaza, we teach life Sir”. Maya Angelou said: “When you know better, you do better”, and boy she is right. We know better know, we have seen better and we are doing much better.

Yes, three years have passed and now its time for us to make a vow: “We promise ourselves and the world to make Gaza a better stronger place; we will make our society better by starting bettering ourselves from within”. “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”. I remember one day during the war in Gaza, I felt so dark inside that I doubted I would ever see the dawn of tomorrow but when I woke up the next day I saw the sun lighting up every grain of sand in Gaza. I believe in tomorrow now thanks to Gaza.

I went out today to shop for books and the weather was very warm and beautiful. I walked through Gaza’s streets holding my head up high, looking at the sky and smiling. We survived. We made it. I believe that we made it for a reason; we survived just to make Gaza a monumental place that the world will never forget.

Three years passed and we still demand the prosecution of Israel’s war criminals and we will never stop demanding our right to see those cold blooded monsters behind bars. I will not remind Gazans of this day because we will never forget what we went through, I will not remind the world because the world never gave a crap.

Believe it or not but I am grateful today, we are overwhelmed with the support and love that we indulge in coming from people around the whole world. And we have also witnessed recently allot of BDS successes. Palestinians are now stronger in Palestine and around the world. We have a cause that makes us stronger and makes us wanna fight till the last breath to gain our freedom.

We are more determined and focused now. We are more aware and we have made people around the world more aware too. Gaza’s light has touched hearts around the globe, why shouldn’t I be grateful?

Today I feel a pinch of freedom, today I feel happy and proud.

I will post here a picture of a Palestinian child that lost his family and his house during the vicious war in Gaza; he was standing near his completely-demolished house looking frightened and lost. He didn’t understand what happened and what did he do to deserve such a tragedy. Those of you who are my friends already know how many times I have shared this picture and I will never stop. I wish I can turn the time back so I can be there for that innocent child, I wish I was there to hug him and tell him everything will be alright. I wish I was there to tell him that after three years things would be much better and people would be healing and moving on. I will never ever forget this little boy’s picture in my life, its carved in my head and heart:

Finally, I would kindly ask you to help Gaza, Palestine and Gazans move on instead of reminding them of the tragedies they will never forget. We don’t want to dwell on the past, we want to move forward. We will never forget but we have the right to move forward and live and make our country better. Help us heal. We appreciate all the support. Believe it or not, we are the land of love and abundance and we send you all our love and gratitude.

All my love,

Omar from Gaza

Revealing "The Guardian" lies: Hamas didnt stop Christmas in Gaz

2011-12-26T17:44:00.001+02:00

Revealing "The Guardian" lies: Hamas didnt stop Christmas in Gaza

Gaza, December 26, I can’t help but share my fury after reading “The Guardian” and seeing their false and misleading article and how its full of mistakes. Let’s dissect their mistakes one by one:

1- Their headline: Gaza Christians long for days before Hamas canceled Christmas. Correction: Hamas didn’t cancel Christmas and Christians celebrate it every year. In fact, last night Latin Patriarchate Church held a mass celebrating Christmas and flocks of Christians attended it.

2- They published the article on 23^{rd of} December. Correction: Christmas in on the 25^th.

3- They mentioned that over 1.5 million of Gazans live in Gaza. Correction: According to Statistics centers in Gaza, over 1.8 million Gazans live in Gaza

4- Christians are fewer than 1,400. Correction: Christians in Gaza are between 2,000 and 3,000 according to Al Arabiya.net and Wikipedia.

5- Hamas attacks Christians in Gaza. Correction: Attacks on Christians in Gaza were carried out by individuals or extremist groups not by Hamas or the regular people of Gaza.

6- The Guardian mentioned in an indirect way that racism is carried out against Christians in Gaza. Correction: Christians in Gaza live and pray freely, they are treated with equality.

7- The Guardian wanted to show how the Palestinian division affected Christians mostly. Correction: The Palestinian division affected all Palestinians.

8- The Guardian failed to mention the repercussions of the Israeli unjust illegal siege on Gaza and chose to blame Hamas for everything.

9- They blamed the bad economy in Gaza on Hamas not on the Israeli illegal blockade.

10 They didn’t mention that Israel puts age limitation for Gaza’s Christians. They let those who are under 16 and over 40 only visit Bethlehem.

Need I right more?

If you aren’t convinced yet, I wrote an article for the media line about Christmas in Gaza and how Christians celebrated it, check it here:

http://www.themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=34046

Westernizing Islam: Bikini is the new Hijab

2011-11-23T14:00:00.002+02:00

Westernizing Islam: Bikini is the new Hijab

I find it startling that we started linking the fact of being open-minded to having a western mentality. Who said that being open-minded means we should have a western mentality? It seems like it’s a trend now to show how open-minded we are by picking on Islam and attacking some Islamic aspects to sound cool and hip and open-minded, we thrive to measure up to the American standards of being open-minded. Its mind boggling to read, hear and meet people whether in Gaza, Palestine or the Arabic world talking about how much they are very proud of being “Western” and “open-minded” and how being religious is so “Two thousand and late” or so “1990s”. Really? Are you for real?

I was born and raised in Europe; I came to Gaza to a whole new culture. I knew I was Muslim but I didn’t learn more about my religion till I came here. I am proud of my blended culture and proud of being Muslim and liberal. I am too open-minded for my own sake which usually puts me in trouble; I am usually accused of either being too liberal or less religious. Both are untrue.

I find myself torn between defending liberal people who choose to be Muslim yet open minded (like girls who are good Muslims but choose not to wear Hijab yet) and in the same time defending religious people who are often accused of being narrow minded, too religious, terrorists ….etc. Women who wear Hijab in the western world are often harassed, slandered and sometimes dangerously attacked like Marwa Al Sherbini (Egyptian woman who was attacked by a German douchebag just because she was wearing Hijab and he later stabbed her to death when she decided to take him to court). Some European countries placed ban on Niqab which made many of Muslim women’s lives hellish and hard.

In the Arab world, women who decided not to wear Hijab yet are often attacked, slandered and harassed. People give themselves the right to judge them and call them many things including: “hookers, sluts and bitches” just because they aren’t covering their heads and they claim that they are doing it because they honor Islam. Well news flash: Islam never asked you to judge, attack and slander people for any reason even if its defending because its not really an “Islamic” act. Islam asks us to respect everyone and all religions. I don’t see people pressuring men for not praying or fasting yet they feel so powerful about pressuring women to wear Hijab.

The western media and governments got so worked up to blame, frame and put shame on Islam for every wrong thing in their countries to cover up their corruption. Islam, Muslims and Arabs became a target. This shows how powerful Islam is and how powerful Muslims are which pushed those directions to focus on deforming Islam’s image. Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance whether you wanna believe it or not.

Ofcourse, some Arabs and Muslims contributed a great deal in deforming Islam’s image. Let me not talk about people elsewhere, let me talk about what I saw with my own eyes. I see some shameful Gazan youth who believe that its very cool and western to degrade Islam so they can get publicity or a trip to a foreign country or an invitation to a conference….. etc. How hideous is that? I see foreign organizations and INGOs in Gaza trying their best to focus on how Hamas is using Islam to oppress people and how some girls in Gaza are forced to wear Hijab and how frustrating is that? Seriously? You left all the bad things happening in Gaza and the suffocating siege imposed on us and suddenly you wanna do the community good by “liberating” Gazan girls from wearing Hijab?

I am not with Hamas nor am I defending it. Hamas has its bad and good sides just like Fatah and all other Palestinian factions. But if I say that our biggest problem in Gaza is Hijab then I would be the most disgusting guy on earth. I personally know some of the most powerful, independent, clever, educated, cultured, influential and inspiring girls in Gaza whom I was honored to know and meet. I never really cared whether they are veiled or not. Some are veiled and some are not but they are equally brilliant. Hijab doesn’t stand in the way for those who wear it or don’t.

What is really pathetic is seeing how some foreign organizations and journalists using Gaza just to attack Islam. I see them writing about religious oppression in Gaza (which doesn’t exist) and how they cant move without wearing Hijab. Come to Gaza and you will see foreign journalists moving freely even if they are wearing a jeans and a T-shirt, you will see veiled and non-veiled girls and you will see that not only do women have freedom but they are also a force to be reckoned with. Women actually wear Jeans and T-shirts in Gaza and I don’t find that so shocking. Let me just share how sick I got when I saw the Anti-Niqab protests in Europe, European women were degrading Hijab in every way possible including wearing Niqab over a bikini and even wearing nothing but Niqab. How disgusting and idiotic.

I laughed my heart out when I read about Aliaa Magdi, the Egyptian thing, who saw that she should share her naked photos to show her revolutionary side. She called it the new "Naked Revolution". She -somehow- decided to link revolution with naked art and claimed that freedom of speech must enable Arabs of sharing their naked photos. No thanks, I will pass. What the hell is wrong with her? What on earth is the link between revolution and nudity? I have no respect for her or her boyfriend who likes to always link sex to everything on earth. They are disgusting and lame and they will do anything for fame.

Oh yeah and lets talk about the honor killing. I don’t support honor killing in any way, shape or form. I am against violence and I do admit that we heard and still hear about some horrifying stories about honor killing in the Arab world. Some stories are not justified and others show how the girl was killed because of a misunderstanding. But lets not forget that crimes exist all around the world. So westerns don’t kill? A western man never murdered his wife\sister\mother\daughter\girlfriend\neighbor…etc for no apparent reason? America has the highest crime rates and yet I never saw it being attacked for “Western” honor killing. Some of the crimes there are much more awful than the Arab honor killing cases. I am not justifying the notorious phenomenon of honor killing in the Arab world; I am just saying lets condemn it internationally so we can be fair to the victims and to ourselves.

Women have been always taking a part in Gazan community. They are equally active, educated and employed if you compare them to men. They have the freedom of movement too. The phenomenon of early marriage has reduced greatly because Gazans are more aware now. Majority of young women are getting married due to love stories and freedom of choice. Women are seeking and occupying high positions in the employment field becoming even higher than men sometimes.

Its fascinating to see how Gaza is evolving and growing in every aspect yet we still see foreign and local attempts to keep us busy with dilemmas from the stone age. We moved on so its time for others to move on and embrace our growth. Its also shameful to see some young Gazans falling in this trap which is deforming the very productive image of Gaza’s bright youth.

So consider me boring for the saying the truth but I don’t wish to be invited to a European country or praised by an American journalist or supported by France just to attack Islam or Gaza. I would rather stay here and raise my voice and say: “We are way hip, cool and advanced than you think; believe or see”.

Why do Muslims and Arabs have to always try hard to fit in and be accepting? Why doesn’t the world embrace us like we embrace it? Why do they want us to become something else? Why do they want us to become like them? Why do they want us to degrade our culture and religion to gain their respect? Why are we always pressured to justify ourselves?

My last advice or message: Please let’s stop judging each other. Its 2011 for god’s sake. People are categorized by being good or bad not by wearing Hijab or not. Not all women wearing Hijab are angels and not all women not wearing Hijab are right. Live and let live. Give love to receive love and lets embrace each other with our differences, imperfections and different perspectives.

From Gaza with love, less judgment and a huge hug,

Omar

Follow me on Twitter: @Omar_Gaza

Gaza: Beautiful moon, Eid, Resilience, Gratitude

2011-11-10T15:43:00.003+02:00

This pic was taken by my friend near his house.

By: Artist Khaled Jarra

Gaza, November 10, Last night, the moon in Gaza was like a beautiful portrait that you notice in a museum and you just cant stop checking it out. Its not the first time we witness such a spectacular moon but its something to watch each and every time that it happens. The moon was full, luscious and shiny rounded by a big shiny pearly Aura with a glowing star underneath it. Some took pictures of it while others thought its not unusual. For me, it was a spiritual and beautiful moment. I kept watching and smiling, thinking and reflecting, bathing in those pearly rays and stood in awe of what I was witnessing.

Tonight, at 12:00am, the date will change into 11.11.11. . Some of you might not see it as a big deal while others might be stressing way too much about it. For me, I will look at the moon again and celebrate the spiritual moment. Sometimes the universe goes through special moments and its nice to live them.

We just came out of four days of Al-Adha Eid in Gaza. This year was no different. The weather was cold and Israel ofcourse bombed us but that didn’t stop the people and the children from celebrating the joy of eid. Nothing stop Gazans. Living in Gaza for a number of good years now, I would say that only 1 word can describe Gaza and Gazans: RESILIENCE. Gaza and Gazans are phoenixes. They rise from the ashes even stronger than before. I cant be blessed enough to witness Gaza growing and see how more resilient it gets every year. Gaza, I salute you.

This year, Eid witnessed a new event in Gaza. Gaza’s first ever Tent-shopping festival. It was new and unprecedented. I wrote a feature about for the media line. Check this link if you wanna know more:

http://www.themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=33636

I wanna share a special story and experience I went through and ended up learning allot from. Recently, I went through a number of accidents in one night. I should have been more injured but thankfully it wasnt that bad. I ended up depending on only 1 leg for those past couple of days. I realized how hard it is to rely on one leg. Seeing or Hearing or watching about people with a broken leg or people who lost a leg makes you sympathize with them but you never feel what they go through until I experienced it myself. It gives you tremendous strength & patience! Then you realize how blessed you are & how blessed they are each in his own way! I wanna send a special salute to people with 1 leg or a broken leg, You have my respect & love! ♥I would likes to also Thank all my Facebook friends, blog followers, twitter followers and all my local, national and international friends and fans for trusting me and supporting me. You are all amazing and I am so blessed to have you in my life. You make my heart glow and beam.

I always get overwhelmed when I see the Pro-Palestinian supporters supporting Palestine in so many ways. They endanger their lives, work, reputation, losing friends and sometimes even losing family’s support just because they stand by us. Here is a video by a Canadian student who chose to show her support for Palestine in her graduation ceremony. Bless her heart.

I also shared a picture of a Palestinian passport stamp that I hope we use and see very soon. This was made by Artist Khaled Jarra and shared by my friend Laurent Schuman. It made my day. I pray, hope and wish that Palestine becomes free in my lifetime and I get to celebrate it with my awesome friends everywhere.

Finally, I wanna wish you all the best. May spread love, justice, freedom and kindness and may your hearts glow with happiness and joy. Lets not give up on ourselves and loved ones. Lets always keep hoping.

Gaza and Gazans rock.

Follow me on Twitter if you like: @Omar_Gaza

New international boats set sail to break Gaza's siege

2011-11-02T18:21:00.000+02:00

■Irish and Canadian boats in international waters on their way to challenge illegal siege policy

■Palestinian activists call for end to international complicity in Israel’s crimes

■Support actions taking place throughout the West Bank and inside Israel

Gaza, November 2, Two civilian boats, the Canadian Tahrir (Liberation), and the Irish Saoirse (Freedom), carrying 27 people from nine countries (including journalists and crew), are currently in international waters making their way to the beleaguered Gaza Strip to challenge Israel’s ongoing criminal blockade of the territory. A Palestinian youth activist from Haifa has joined this renewed international mission to challenge Israel’s unrelenting stranglehold on Gaza via the sea. The message they carry is one of unity, defiance, and hope, in spite of Israel’s policies that have physically separated Palestinians from each other. The “Freedom Waves to Gaza” organizers chose not to publicize the effort in advance given Israel’s efforts to block and sabotage Freedom Flotilla II last July. The boats, which set sail from Fethiye, Turkey, are expected to arrive in Gaza on Friday afternoon, sailing from international waters straight into Gaza’s territorial waters without entering Israel’s waters. The boats carry symbolic cargo - $30,000 in medicines, along with a diverse group of passengers, all committed to nonviolent defense of the flotilla and Palestinian human rights.

“Israel has caged Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, prohibiting physical contact between us. We want to break the siege Israel has imposed on our people,” said Majd Kayyal, a Palestinian philosophy student from Haifa on board the Tahrir. Kayyal added, “The fact that we’re in international waters is already a victory for the movement. Israel’s siege of Gaza is untenable and it’s a moral responsibility to put an end to this injustice.”

Turkish news also reported that a number of Turkish boats have "secretly" started moving from Turkish ports heading to Gaza to break the siege.

Meanwhile, a statement signed by Palestinian youth urged the international community and the U.N. in particular “to take urgent action to protect this mission as well as to end its compliance with Israel’s criminal blockade of Gaza.” They condemned the U.N. Secretary General’s previous declarations calling for aid to Gaza to go through "legitimate crossings and established channels," despite the U.N.’s own admission that Israel’s failure to own up to its responsibilities has created an unprecedented crisis of human dignity.

Throughout the week Palestinian activists in the West Bank and inside Israel are organizing solidarity actions with the Freedom Waves mission, including a presence outside the UN compound (Tokyo Street, Ramallah) and rallies across West Bank towns.

This is the 11th attempt to break the siege of Gaza via the sea, with five missions arriving safely in Gaza between August and December 2008 and the remaining violently intercepted by Israel. On May 2010, Israel attacked passengers of the Freedom Flotilla in international waters, killing nine civilians and injuring over 50. Israel’s actions were widely condemned and led to protests around the world. Efforts to bring a second flotilla to Gaza were foiled by the government of Greece last July following pressure by Israel and Western governments, as well as by acts of Israeli sabotage.

Israel has intensified in the past days its aerial bombardments on Gaza, underlining the need for international initiatives of deterrence similar to this one.

US cuts funding for UNESCO after admitting Palestine as a full member

2011-10-31T20:52:00.000+02:00

Palestine, UNESCO & USA

Gaza, October 31, The UN's cultural agency voted to admit Palestine as a full member on Monday.

UNESCO said 107 member states voted in favor, 14 states voted against, and there were 52 abstentions.

The resolution needed 81 votes to pass, the UNESCO representative said.

The United States, Canada and Germany voted against Palestinian membership. Brazil, Russia, China, India, South Africa and France voted in favor. Britain abstained.

The Obama administration has decided to cut off funding for UNESCO because it approved a Palestinian bid for full membership.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland says Monday's vote triggers a long-standing congressional restriction on funding to UN bodies that recognize Palestine as a state before an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal is reached.

Barack Obama speaking about the situation in Egypt at the White House, Feb. 1, 2011.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said the UN cultural agency's decision was "regrettable" and "premature" and that it undermines the international community's shared goal to a "comprehensive, just and lasting peace" between Israel and the Palestinians.

Carney added that Monday's vote was a distraction from the goal of restarting direct negotiations between the two sides.

Delegates to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization approved Palestinian membership in a vote of 107-14 with 52 abstentions. U.S. lawmakers have threatened to halt $80 million in annual funding to UNESCO if Palestinian membership was approved.

Nuland went on to say the U.S. would refrain from making a $60 million payment it planned to make in November.

But she said the U.S. would maintain membership in the body.

"The UNESCO General Conference’s action does not diminish our determination to work with UNESCO to advance U.S. national interests. Therefore, we will maintain our membership in UNESCO and our commitment to UNESCO," the State Department said.

The Palestinians want full membership in the UN, but Israel opposes the bid. The U.S. ¬says it would veto a vote in the Security Council.

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called UNESCO's acceptance of a Palestinian state "anti-Israel and anti-peace."

"This is only the beginning", said Ros-Lehtinen. "The Palestinians will now seek full membership at other UN bodies."

J Street urged the U.S. not to cut funding, saying disengagement from UNESCO would weaken the country's international standing. "In addition to undermining our own national interests, it would also deprive Israel of its most vocal and powerful advocate in a key UN organ," said Dylan Williams, J Street’s Director of Government Affairs.

The U.S. Congress is also currently considering new legislation that would impose additional restrictions on American funding of the United Nations, threaten cutting aid to the Palestinian Authority, and slashing military assistance to key foreign countries in retaliation to their support for the Palestinian bid for full UN membership.

Germany also said Monday that the UNESCO vote on Palestinian membership was likely to make it more difficult to achieve peace in the Middle East.

A Foreign Ministry statement from Germany said that the country opposed the vote.

"There is a danger that the UNESCO application will further harm the already difficult indirect talks recently begun under the aegis of the Middle East Quartet," the statement said.

The Palestinians are seeking full membership in the United Nations, an effort the U.S. has threatened to veto in the Security Council. Given that, the Palestinians separately sought membership at Paris-based UNESCO and other UN bodies.

Sources: Maan News, Reuters, Haaretz

Behind Bars, Palestinians Find Love, Marriage

2011-10-27T16:28:00.000+02:00

Behind Bars, Palestinians Find Love, Marriage

I know it took me time to add a new blog post, for me writing is all about inspiration. I have been working on this feature for the past week and now I bring you a story that inspired me, enjoy.

He is Fatah, she is Hamas; they were both freed in last week’s prisoner swap

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – He was from Fatah and she was from Hamas, the two rival Palestinian movements. They were both serving multiple life sentences. They had participated in killings – she for her role in a Jerusalem restaurant bombing, he in connection with the killing of an Israeli.

As lovers go they could not have been more star crossed, yet Nezar and Ahlam Al Tammimi met, fell in love, got engaged and finally married while they were sitting in Israeli jails. Both were among some 450 Palestinian prisoners swapped for Israeli hostage Gilad Shalit last week.

“Nobody believes me when I say that I never ever lost hope. I always saw the light at the end of the tunnel and now I am free,” Ahlam, 31, declares.

Married behind bars, the two now plan a big wedding – as soon as they can finally see each other. They don’t know when that will happen: Under the conditions of their release, Nezar was returned to his home the West Bank while Ahlam was flown to her family in Jordan.

Ahlam was born in 1980 to a Palestinian family that moved from Palestine to Jordan in 1967. Ahlam has two brothers and four sisters. Recalling Ahlam’s childhood, her brother Fakhr Al Tammimi said: “Ahlam was a rebellious child with a strong personality. She never took the easy way and always thought out of the box. My sister had Palestine in her heart and always wanted to go back there.”

In 1998, Ahlam began studying media and journalism at Birzeit University in Ramallah. In September 2000, as the Second intifada erupted, Ahlam felt like she had to do something. During her university years, Ahlam was working for Al-Milad magazine and Al-Istiqlal television station, both local media outlets, because she believed in working and studying at the same time.

“I met a fellow Palestinian in the university who inspired me, it turned out he was a member of Hamas. I expressed my desire to join them. He told me he has to ask his superior because Ezzeldin Al-Qassam brigades have no female members. After a few days, he came with an approval, which made me the first female Ezzeldin Al-Qassam brigade member,” Ahlam explains.

Ahlam helped Ezz Al Din Al Massri, 20, to blow himself up in Sabarro restaurant in Jerusalem in August 2001, which killed 16 Israelis and injured 150. Her role had been to choose the location and secure transportation to reach that location. Not long after, she was arrested.

Israeli security forces stormed Ahlam’s house at 3:00 a.m. They handcuffed her, blindfolded her and dragged her into interrogation. She was sentenced to do 16 life sentences for her deed.

“Israeli police used both mental and physical torture on me to admit my role in the operation but it wasn’t important because my fellow members had already confessed about my role,” Ahlam shared. During that time, Ahlam and her family were mourning the loss of their mother. “Aside from the mental and physical torture, I was also going tough times because of my mother’s death. Things were harder and darker.”

“I was placed in solitary confinement many times, sometimes for a reason and sometimes for no reason. The cell is so small and dark with dark walls and built underground. It’s just like being jailed in a tomb. If I hadn’t of turned to God, praying and Qura’an, I would have lost my mind.” Ahlam recalls.

“Let me share with you a funny story, I was sentenced with an extra year to my 16 lifetimes because I had a fight with an Israeli female prison guard. This incident kept me laughing for days, as if I would care less about an extra year added to my jail time of 1,548 years.” Ahlam says laughing.

Ahlam wasn’t veiled before jail, but she began to wear the hijab in jail and also got her first Palestinian identification card while in Jail.

Ahlam heard about Nezar Al Tammimi, her relative, 38, who was jailed in 1993 during his university years. He was also studying in Birzeit back then. He was sentenced to life in prison for belonging to a Fatah cell responsible of kidnapping and killing an Israeli in the Jewish community of Beit El near Ramallah. Ahlam admired him. Ahlam actually visited Nezar in jail before she was jailed herself. The spark of mutual admiration that they felt back then developed over time into love.

Ahlam and Nezar started exchanging letters while in jail. “Each letter would take a month to reach Nezar and another month to get his response back. I would place the letter in the mail and send it to my family. My family would send it to Nezar’s family. Nezar’s family would send it to him.”

“Nezar would go through the same process to send me a letter. Our letters were so precious, they took so much time and they were our only means of communication. We would share experiences, express our love and share our virtual dreams of being and living together after our marriage,” Ahlam says with a broad smile and a sparkle in her eyes.

The two were not only separated by bars but by membership in rival movements. After briefly sharing control of the Palestinian Authority, Fatah and Hamas fought each other for control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 and have failed to patch up their differences despite a declaration of national unity last spring.

On an August day in 2005, Nezar’s fellow inmates threw him a party to celebrate his engagement to Ahlam. Simultaneously, Ahlam celebrated a party in parallel with her inmates. After that, their one and only meeting came in March 2010, when they were both summoned by the Israeli intelligence to be questioned about the relationship between them and their future plans.

“After exchanging letters and falling in love we both decided to get engaged even if we were both jailed for life,” she recounts.

Their fathers arranged the documents and sent them copies of the marriage contract in jail. Nezar sent his wife wedding rings but the Israeli prison administration confiscated them all, she says.

“Initially, it was purely a familial attachment ungoverned by factional politics even though our link is a practical demonstration of the factions' call for Palestinian unity,” Ahlam told Uruknet.info, a Middle East website. “As Nezar and I have been united by this engagement we hope to be a beautiful demonstration to the factions of the unity that is possible, God willing, through comprehensive reconciliation.”

With the release of the Palestinian prisoners October 18, Nezar was sent to Nabi Saleh, his hometown in the West Bank where he was welcomed as both a hero and bridegroom.

But Ahlam, denied entry to the West Bank as a condition for her release, says she was obligated to fly to Jordan to join her family. The couple met briefly at Cairo Airport's Sheraton Hotel on their way to their final destinations.

Arriving in Jordan, Ahlam says she was overwhelmed when large numbers of family, friends and fans came to Amman’s Queen Alya airport to welcome her. “I only met my family twice during my 10 years of jail time, which made me drown in despair sometimes. I missed them so much.

Meeting my father and the rest of the family means the world to me,” Ahlam says in tears.

Ahlam says she already feels rejuvenated by being reunited with her family. “There is a whole new generation in my family that I missed out on. Photographs and names have turned into people that I am eager to know,” Ahlam adds happily.

Ahlam’s dream now is to settle down after a huge wedding that reunites her with her husband Nezar. “All I dream about now is to live with Nezar, settling down and raising our future children.”

According to Ahlam, Plan A is Nezar’s trip to Jordan so they can hold a real wedding there and live together. If Nezar is denied access to Jordan, then Plan B is for both Ahlam and Nezar to request permission to visit Gaza and settle there with the support of the Palestinian Authority and Gaza’s Hamas government.

Ahlam is trying her best to acquaint herself with all the new technology that has become available during the years she was imprisoned, including means to communicate with Nezar till they reunite. “I was told that we can cam-chat with each other using motion picture and voice both at the same time, whatever that means,” Ahlam adds with a laugh, “It certainly sounds like a cooler way to communicate than the mobile telephone.”

I originally wrote it for the media line: http://www.themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=33569

UN Palestinian statehood bid: Gaza has no saying

2011-09-21T17:15:00.000+02:00

Whether you are with or against UN statehood bid, if you live in Gaza you are asked to shut up

Gaza, September 21, So, what do you think about the awaited UN Palestinian statehood bid? OH SHUT UP. I don’t care what you really think. How would you feel if someone did this to you? Well, let me tell you it truly sucks. I have been doing my homework for days reading the opposing and supporting opinion of the UN statehood bid. I read every point: 194, right of return, Palestinian lands, borders, Palestinian prisoners, war crimes and so much more. I read so many opinions and so many debates whether with or against this UN statehood bid. Just when I was getting ready to write a new blog post discussing those issues and these points, Hamas issued a statement declaring their prevention to any events or rallies relating to UN statehood bid whether supporting or opposing.

So, all my hard work goes in vain. Apparently, Gaza’s opinion isn’t important. So we should remain silent, stay at home, watch the news on TV and just feel nothing???? How can I remain silent? How can I stop myself from rallying or hitting the streets? And why should Gaza be always oppressed?

Why do Gazan youth have to always turn to social network and blogging instead of hitting the streets freely and express their opinions and voice?

I saw the West Bank on the news today. Huge numbers of Palestinians rallying in the streets defying the Israeli occupation forces to express their opinions freely. They weren’t asked to shut and feel nothing like us in Gaza. How cant I be jealous? How cant I feel less Palestinian when I watch my fellow Palestinians challenging the Israeli forces in the West Bank to have their voice heard?

I felt ashamed. I felt less Palestinian. I felt frustrated and outraged. I felt numb. Israeli siege makes things hard enough and now its harder because I felt like I am separated from the West Bank even more. I felt like Gaza isn’t a part of Palestine.

I can hide inside my house and record a video saying my opinion, or maybe turn to social media and blogging, or call a friend and discuss this with him\her but nothing feels like being free enough to hit the street and SHOUT your opinion and rant out loud with no fear or Oppression.

How will I stop feeling ashamed and coward and be able to hit the streets after this bid fails or succeeds? ONLY IF we were allowed to even do that. I failed myself and my country today and I don’t feel like I deserve to share my opinion or even track the bid’s coverage or participate in it.

I am sorry Palestine. I am sorry I was asked to shut up and remain silent. I am sorry I have to stand still and say nothing while you go through a historical momentum. I am sorry I cant hit the streets and shout your name out loud. I am sorry that Gaza doesn’t seem like a part of you. I am sorry Fatah and Hamas havent reconciled yet. I am sorry we aren’t one. I am sorry we aren’t all of us in this together. I am sorry that it doesn’t matter whether I am with or against this bid. I am truly sorry Palestine.

So I am doing what I was told to do. I am shutting up and remaining silent. Don’t ask me if I am with or against because it doesn’t matter what I think or want. I will do my best to feel numb. I will do my best to forgive myself for not being able to be a part of this historical momentum that will make a difference for my country and my people whether it succeeds or fails.

I always felt proud that I live in Gaza, always felt Palestinian more than any other Palestinian. Today, I feel different. I am ashamed. I wish I was living in the West Bank or any other country. I would have been able to speak out loud of what I think.

I love you Palestine. I hope you forgive me one day and I hope I can forgive myself also.

Follow my silence on twitter: @Omar_Gaza

Israel renews attacks on Gaza, 4 injured

2011-08-05T23:24:00.001+02:00

Round 2 of the Israeli attacks on Gaza

Gaza, August 5, Israel decided to renew its attacks on Gaza again using air raids and again timing them at dawn. People usually are awake by that time since its Ramadan. Israeli warplanes carried out several air raids on several targets in Gaza.

The first air raid targeted a poultry farm located to the east of Deir Al Balah, considered at the center of Gaza. The second and third air raids targeted a security HQ. located in Deir Al Balah too. The third air raid targeted Asda’ media city in khan younis which led to a huge fire that broke out into it. The fourth air raid targeted a free zone in Beit Lahya, Northern Gaza, which led to the injury of three people –as official medics said- from which two of these injuries were guys who lost their lower limbs and the third injury was a kid.

Earlier that night, a man was injured after heavy Israeli shelling on Jabaliya, northern Gaza. Witnesses also reported seeing Al Rayes Mountain being shelled, no reported injuries.

On the other hand, Israeli soldiers station in the control towers on the borders with Rafah, southern Gaza, opened sporadic fire towards the houses and farms of Gazan citizens nearby which led to the flee of Gazan farmers and some Gazan families to a safer places until the sporadic fire stops.

Its noteworthy that Gaza is under attack for the second day in a row now.

Israeli warplanes attack Gaza at night

2011-08-04T04:03:00.000+02:00

Israeli warplanes attack Gaza at night

Gaza, August 4, A couple hours after midnight Gaza was shaken by a huge explosion, turns out that the Israeli F16s and other warplanes bombed “Badr” security HQ. that belongs to Hamas which is located in Al Naser neighborhood in Gaza city, its noteworthy that this time security HQ. was bombed countless times before.

A few minutes later a huge explosion rocked Northern Gaza, Israeli warplanes bombed a second security HQ. that belongs to Hamas there. Then they moved south and started bombing the tunnels area in Rafah city, Southern Gaza.

Medics reported that two children were injured due to those Israeli nightly attacks on Gaza.

The Palestinian resistance fired 2 grad rockets earlier from Gaza into Israel, caused no injuries, so Israel used this incident as a pretext for their attacks.

Israel never needed an excuse to bomb Gaza, they didn’t have or need one when they started the vicious assault on Gaza back in 2008-2009 that lasted for nearly one month and left thousands of martyrs, injured, demolished houses and destruction behind.

Gazan Defies Handicap to Live Life to Fullest

2011-08-02T22:38:00.003+02:00

Abdul Qader Abu Lubda overcomes birth defect, poverty and social stigma

GAZA CITY, Gaza – Abdul Qader Abu Lubda is walking down the street in his n Gaza City neighborhood one afternoon this week. In one hand he has a sheaf of papers perched precariously between his palm and two short fingers. In the other, two stumpy fingers are holding a heavy bag. But Abu Lubda doesn’t look or act like he’s struggling..

Along the way he is smiling and greeting neighbors and acquaintances. When someone stops him with a question, he easily puts down his load and takes a pen and piece of paper from his shirt pocket, confidently jotting down words with the pen positioned between his two fingers. In a minute, he is back on his way.

Born with a rare condition that left him with two deformed and short hands, each with only two fingers, Abu Lubda doesn’t just handle the ordinary challenges of day-to-day life with ease and aplomb. In a steely defiance of his handicap he has mastered a host of hand-centric skills, mastering the game of ping pong, learning to paint and making handicrafts. And, in a society that looks down on the disabled, he has found a wife and is father to four children. Now, he is taking on a college degree.

“You were shocked when you saw me carrying heavy bags with two fingers,” he tells a visiting reporter. Heavy set, with dark hair and a trimmed beard, Abu Lubda fits easily into the Gaza street scene by his looks and dress. “You should have seen me carrying my children when they were toddlers. I even held two of them at a time in each hand.”

The ease with Abu Lubda, 34, copes with his disability belies the many years be spent struggling to overcome his physical limitations and more importantly the psychological blocks to accepting who he was and what he could or couldn’t do. In a part of the world where suffering and redemption are usually framed in political terms of the Palestinian struggle against Israel Abu Lubda is rare instance of a Gazan whose challenges were intimately personal and physical

“I went through a phase in my life when I lost touch with reality. I was doing everything a normal person can and was even doing much more sometimes. I didn’t feel disabled,” he recalls. “I was angry when someone would label me as disabled. But then I learned the lesson, if you want to overcome your disability you should accept it first and not deny it.”

Even today, it took convincing to get Abu Lubda to tell his story. “I’m not extraordinary, you know. I’m just like everybody else, I just worked extra hard on myself.”

Life in Gaza – a tiny enclave of 1.5 million people, impoverished and cut off from the wider world by Israel’s embargo – but Abu Lubda and others with physical handicaps must also contend with social stigma placed on them. While more and more services are available from organizations like the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS), many grew up without the help of trained professionals and families with the knowledge and resources to help them. Abu Lubda serves as mentor for many of them.

Basel Muqdadi, 11 years Abu Lubda’s junior, was born with the same condition. The two were introduced two years ago and since then, he says, Abu Lubda he become his mentor and inspiration. “When I met Abdul Qader I was blown away and immediately saw him as my role model,” he told The Media Line.

“It’s hard to be young and disabled, especially in Gaza,” says Muqdadi,. “People either judge you or show you pity with little consideration to your feelings. No matter how amazing you are at the end of the day you are called ‘disabled’ by your friends and family and by your society.”

Abu Lubda was born in 1977 in Rafah city to a poor family that already had five children to raise. He was left largely on his own to figure out on his own how to cope with his disability. Slowly, he trained himself how to tackle actions as simple as holding a pen, over the years gradually emerging into an independent, self-sufficient teenager. If he was ever angry at himself for his fate, he never blamed his parents for not knowing how to raise him.

Left to his own devices, he says, he became driven to achieve a better life and overcoming his disability.

“Yes, you sometimes ask your parents and God why you? Why did you have to be disabled while others are normal?” he asks without any hint of self pity.

“I was frustrated at my early age, especially when I saw my parents feeling confused and frustrated because they didn’t know what to do with me. Gaza back in 1977, there were much fewer associations for the disabled and fewer awareness programs,. Families with disabled children were considered as jinxed or cursed, which doesn’t make you feel exactly happy when you are just a little kid who was born with a condition and didn’t actually do this to himself.”

He also took advantage of every opportunity that came his way from professionals, which led him to the PRCS when it embarked on a new program to teach the disabled sports and other activities. “I trained hard and grabbed every opportunity I could to become better, better trained and stronger,” he recalls.

When he was asked in which program he wanted to enroll, he answered: “Thank you, I’ll take them all.” He wasn’t joking, and a few years later he was competing in ping pong, was painting and engaged in handicrafts. “I thrived to absorb every bit I can from every program because I had bigger plans in mind,” Abu Lubda adds proudly..

He is a member of a slew of Arab and international clubs for the disabled athletes and, travelling to Lebanon, Jordan, Dubai, Syria and European countries on a special visa, he has won medals for ping pong in Arab and international competition.

He holds a paddle confidently between his two fingers as if he had no handicap at all. Perhaps why his four children – two boys and two girls have never asked him about his disability. They simply didn’t see it.

“I had to sit with them and explain the condition I was born with,” he says, adding with a laugh: “I don’t want them to think that I’m normal while all other people are disabled because they have five fingers and long hands

The toughest challenge for Abu Lubda is making a living. He gets about 1,000 Israeli shekels a month ($293) in the form of an allowance for the disabled. Sometimes it works out to less than that. “It brings me nothing these days aside from rent, water, electricity and life expenses,” he says, but expresses no bitterness.

“I’m luckier than others. I get paid sometimes for training others and participating in competitions or handicrafts exhibitions “Other disabled people don’t get any financial help at all and can’t find jobs because disabled people here are degraded. They’re considered to be less than normal people regardless of the fact that they can be even more.”

While the PRCS gave him a chance to acquire skills and confidence, he says not enough is done in Gaza to help the disabled. “Although you hear about many associations caring for the disabled people in Gaza, most of them are just a front for a bogus association that gives very little actual help to the disabled,” he says.

Abu Lubda isn’t resting on his laurels. He is now planning to apply to enter a business administration program at Al-Quds Open University because it offers a flexible program that doesn’t require students to always attend class. He sees himself working in an organization in an administrative post.

“I didn’t get the chance to go to college, I was busy learning everything else,” he explains. “But I guess now is the right time.”

An inspiring story that gave me pleasure while writing and sharing. It was published on:

http://www.themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=32873

and

http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article482008.ece

The 3 Palestinian scams: Rafah border, Reconciliation & Electricity

2011-07-31T11:04:00.001+02:00

Scams are no fun, specially local ones

Gaza, July 31, When you hear the word “scam” the first thing comes to your head is the hundreds of emails we get into our junk mail on daily basis either promoting money laundry or just selling bogus stuff. We all detest scams so much, but what if those scams were local and focal to the extent that they control your daily life? I bet you would detest them even more.

Our first and biggest most hilarious scam is\was the reconciliation, back in April Hamas and Fatah collided to come up with the most shameful scam in the Palestinian history: so-called reconciliation. The news of the reconciliation initial agreement broke suddenly and people around the world “including news agencies” were sharing whispers on how sudden and strange the news came. We heard nothing about preparations or initial meetings or nothing. We just heard “what we considered back then” the good news.

While Palestinians were busy celebrating, Hamas and Fatah were assigning dates and meetings to make this reconciliation final and start working on practical steps, but it never happened. They kept postponing the date for creating the transitional government saying they needed more time –more time maybe to benefit from this hoax- and people continued celebrating.

Apparently March15th movement and protests in Palestine were creating an international buzz which led Hamas and Fatah to come up with hoax to shut us up. They deceived us and few weeks ago both conflicted and STILL CONFLICTED parties Hamas and Fatah announced that the reconciliation reached a dead end after Hamas’s refusal of Salam Fayad and Fatah’s persistence on assigning Salam Fayad to the new transitional government. I feel ashamed because I was one of those who believed this hoax and thought that it might actually work –how naïve- and actually fought those who said it’s a hoax and asked me and Palestinians to becareful and not to believe in this.

Second Scam: After Egypt’s unprecedented revolution and victory in toppling Mubarak and his old regime, media outlets rushed to quote Egyptian officials who vowed to help end the siege on Gaza by opening Rafah border with less restrictions and adopting a new approach towards Gazans.

Another hoax well planned and advertised by the “new” regime in Egypt which is proving day after day that its not really different than Mubarak, same regime but different names. Media outlets then started singing and chanting about Rafah border’s great opening and that Gazans can easily travel and started predicting the future by saying “Rafah border opened, it’s the first step towards breaking the siege”. What was really funny is that I woke up everyday reading those headlines and laughing my heart out. Nothing changed at Rafah border. The first few days of this alleged new system failed epically. Then Hamas and the new Egyptian regime sank in bickering and fights and at the end Gazans were left sieged and bound to Gaza with minimal hope of traveling.

*Drum rolls*

The third and final ridiculous scam: lessening the daily long power cuts in Gaza by operating the third generator –Yeah Right- this made headlines to all local news networks.

Gazan officials in the power and energy Authority in Gaza resorted to local agencies to allegedly let Gazans know some good news about easing the daily long power cuts. Many officials said that the third generator in Gaza’s only power plant will be operated which will lessen the daily power cuts. Many Gazan officials backed up each other and kept their stories straight. Then they came up with a new scenario, “Gaza’s power plant has only 3 generators, two of them work and the third was completely damaged and took a lifetime and so much money to fix, it will be operated during the summer and Ramadan only”. Everyone believed these allegations until they saw no change in the daily power cuts. If anything, the power cuts were expanding and this was driving Gazans mad. The weather is super hot here in Gaza during summer and tomorrow is Ramadan which will require us to fast till 7 pm Gaza local time, the sun goes down at 7:30 – 8 pm in Gaza which leaves us with many hours of heat each day.

Ramadan will definitely be a challenge but Gazans are very used to this and we have seen even worse. But what makes us mad are those continuous and shameless local Palestinian scams made by Palestinian leaders and officials. Its like your own people are degrading the level of your intelligence, wouldn’t you be pissed off?

I guess that leads us to one thing: Never believe a Palestinian leader until you see practical and real steps taken on ground, even then don’t believe him and wait till the steps are made on a continuous basis, even then don’t believe him and wait till he finishes all his steps, even then don’t believe him and wait till he turns to the media to say what you believed in was a complete lie. Oh well, in the end, just don’t believe any Palestinian leader when it comes to internal issues, believe your instincts and experiences.

UNRWA beach camp in Gaza burned “AGAIN”

2011-07-30T00:48:00.000+02:00

Lets play the blame game

Gaza, July 30, I guess it became a routine to hear about the burning or vandalizing of UNRWA’s children beach camp in Gaza, it has happened a few times over the past year and it happened yet again this year. Let me just brush over the official shared news in the mainstream media, UNRWA’s website and the top news agencies in the world:

CNN used UNRWA’s press release about the incident:

A U.N.-sponsored summer camp in Gaza was vandalized Thursday morning, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency said. Officials say a group of masked militants torched a U.N. flag and a stage, and damaged a billboard carrying Finnish, American and Australian flags.
The attack took place just hours before 15,000 local children attending UNRWA Summer Games prepared to smash a Guinness world record for the largest number of people flying kites.

"The igniting is an unacceptable cowardly act and severely harms the image of Gaza," said Adnan Abu Hassan, a legal adviser for the U.N. in Gaza. "We didn't expect this to happen, especially since this is the last day of the summer camp."

Abu Hassan said security was extremely high to ensure the safety of the children. "We have asked the government in Gaza to investigate the matter. Our answer to the attack is to continue the occasion as normal."
"The stage is set for another dramatic piece of world-record mega-theater," UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness said in preparation for record-breaking event.
"It will be nothing short of miraculous to achieve this under the punishing, illegal blockade. Three-quarters of a million children are being collectively punished, and there must be transparency and accountability to end this affront to our humanity. The kites will provide another iconic reminder of the beauty and potential of these children, despite the injustices they face," Gunness said in a statement released 24 hours before the attack.

Many other news agencies followed CNN’s footsteps while other pro-Israeli media outlets saw an opportunity to lash on Gaza and Hamas. On the other hand, all local and international human rights organizations in Gaza rushed to condemn the incident and “as usual” demanded actions, investigations and revelation.

Here is a background of similar incidents: It should be noted that during the summer of 2010, two attacks were launched on UNRWA summer camps by unknown persons. The first attack was launched on 23 May 2010 on a summer games camp on the beach in the west of Gaza City while the second attack was launched on 28 June 2010 on a camp in the west of Zawaida village in central Gaza Strip. No results of investigations were officially published with regard to these two attacks.

I am not here to join the others and play the blame game here, I am here to be the voice of the voiceless Gazan children.

I see that responsibility should be held to both Hamas (Hamas De Facto government has been ruling Gaza for several years now) and the UNRWA empire. These accidents happened before so I would expect from an organization such UNRWA to learn from it, and I would expect from a ruling political party like Hamas to learn from it also. They both failed to protect Gazan children and they both participated in lessening the “already” few places that Gazan children can have fun in and enjoy their summer.

Gaza is a small city yet neither Hamas nor the UNRWA could put their hands on the direction or people behind this yearly vandalism and I find that hard to believe, accept or swallow.

I have a question for the UNRWA: How come you spend millions on protecting all UNRWA foreign workers in Gaza and UNRWA’s visitors in Gaza by hiring body guards and shielded cars but you cant pay to ensure Gazan children’s safety? Why cant you spend some of the millions of donations that you collect to operate and place those camps on ensuring their safety by hiring body guards or security guards?

My second question goes to Hamas: How can you consider yourself as a strong political party that rules Gaza yet fails to protect its children? How can those anonymous masked men burn those camps down without being found or held or prosecuted? And how can It happen so many times?

During those past two years we have witnessed the burning of many newly built resorts in Gaza, and I cant understand how and why cant Hamas stop them? Or ensure that the streets of Gaza are safe?

Its one thing to speak and brag about security and it’s a totally different thing to enforce those brags by actions.

My third question goes to the Human Rights Organizations in Gaza: Why play the blame game when you should be raising questions and concerns about the safety of Gaza’s children? Why cant you see the real victims? And why focus the attention on UNRWA and Hamas instead of demanding more steps towards ensuring the safety of Gaza’s children?

At the end of the day, the only affected ones here are Gazan children. Their safety was threatened and they lost a place where they can spend a joyful summer. Yet UNRWA rushed to issue reports and collect donations, Hamas rushed to stress on the fact that it will do its best to catch those criminals and the local and international human rights organizations in Gaza rushed to play their blame game. My question is: Who will make it up for those children? Aren’t they the real victims here?

This act of vandalism for me represents two huge and major failures and ego blows to both Hamas and the UNRWA. I just pray they realize this fact and work better next year and care about those children rather than prioritizing their best and own interests.

A child that touches my heart deeply & profoundly

2011-07-20T04:24:00.000+02:00

A picture that always overwhelms me

A Gazan child with tears in his little eyes

I havent written a new post in a while now, honestly I still feel like I don’t want to add any new posts but I am obliged to add something because I have a responsibility towards my readers, followers and those who trust me.

I started thinking of topics and I was lost between the new Palestinian scams: Electricity, reconciliation and Rafah border or maybe to write about all three of them or perhaps choose a new topic. I kept thinking for a few days till a few seconds ago I came across a picture that a facebook friend shared. I shared this picture many times before, I was pinned to my laptop looking at this pictures for days, thought about it for a loooooooooooong while and even cried my heart out whenever I saw it.

Honestly, this Gazan innocent cute little child is much more important than anything else. Yes, perhaps there are urgent matters that ought to be discusses and shared but despite the fact that this picture is 2 years old yet it still touch me and overwhelm me like it was taken yesterday.

You might expect me to say that this picture brought back the horror and miserable memories of the Israeli vicious barbaric assault on Gaza 2008-2009. Well, I am sorry to disappoint you but it doesn’t. It just makes me think of that child and what he felt at that moment seeing his safe home brought to the ground like it never existed, his childhood was violated, his family was shattered and all he can do to let his sadness and fear is to cry and shed those crystal-clear tears.

This picture arouses many feelings inside me, it makes me wish I was there to hug him and hold him and tell him everything will be okay. It makes me wish I was superman and had the ability to save him and his house and perhaps save Gaza. This child represents all Gazan children who lost their lives, parents, houses, families, dreams, souls and many other things in the process. Their only guilt was that they were born Palestinian and they live in Gaza. WOW I guess that makes them guilty right??!!!

If I could pay half of my life just to be able to go back in time and hug this child I swear I would in a heartbeat. Please cherish your children and work hard to give them the best life you could because some parents don’t even have this simple privilege.

If you are a parent, uncle, brother, sister, auntie, grandmother, grandfather or just a human then Please go hug the nearest child around you and let him\her know you are there to make their life better and safer.

Follow me on twitter: @Omar_Gaza

Rafah border facing a crisis

2011-06-01T16:10:00.000+02:00

Rafah border: A dream that remains a dream

Gaza, June 1, A major crisis mounted between Egypt and the De Facto government of Gaza yesterday regarding Rafah border, which left both sides to exchange accusations of failing to create a mechanism to facilitate the crossing of Palestinians in both directions through Rafah crossing.

High-leveled security leaders on both sides held an important meeting last night to discuss the ongoing crisis at Rafah. They both agreed upon reducing the number of passengers passing per day 250-400 only, and the requirement of sending the lists of passengers who want to cross before the day of their travel. The meeting also tackled the entry of students who are already enrolled in foreign universities abroad and NOT those who got recently accepted. The Egyptian side had a few conditions in mind, one of these conditions is that the Palestinian side has no right to object on The Egyptian side’s decision to prevent any passenger from traveling. Also, any patient enters must be examined by the Egyptian medical committee before letting him pass.

Both sides lashed at each other accusing, resenting and objecting. Gaza’s De Facto government accused Egypt of backing down on their promises of implementing a new eased mechanism for the Palestinians who wish to cross the Rafah border saying that Egypt allowed Palestinians to cross “easily” on the first day only, last Saturday.

On the other hand the Egyptian high-leveled Security leaders came out with statements stressing that Egypt provided facilities for their Palestinian brothers, which are considered as “unprecedented” and also defied Israel in order to open the Rafah crossing permanently and Egypt also provided facilities for the passing of those who are less than 18 years and more than 40 years to easily cross from Gaza into Egypt without a visa as well as the fact that they are screened with full transparency on the Egyptian side.

An Egyptian security source, who preferred anonymity, said that the Egyptian authorities have found a number of Palestinian elements who are listed on the Egyptian black security list because they are related to smuggling through the tunnels, and cases of other security issues that the Egyptian side cant allow to pass through. Those were issues which needed to be discussed but both sides postponed the meetings of discussing their cases.

Salama Baraka, Palestinian border official, showed resentment regarding the increase in the number of cases prohibited to enter or exit Gaza listed on the computers of the Egyptian border security to five thousand Palestinian, sparking the Palestinian side who wants to double the numbers of Palestinians crossing from the Gaza Strip to Egypt.

The Palestinian side said that Rafah border isn’t working in full force because the Egyptian home-land security crew no longer exists, which leaves both sides with double the work and time to screen and inspect travelers and let them through.

The Egyptian side said that they offered more facilitation but they cant let anyone and everyone pass through, they are obligated to implement a thorough inspection to filter the people who want to pass, their biggest priority is Egypt’s safety and the international agreements of preventing Palestinians with security issues. They believe that 25-400 Palestinians passing each day in both directions daily is enough and this will give them the needed time to inspect. While the Palestinian side say 25-400 Palestinians passing each day isn’t enough and that thousands of those who previously-registered need to pass first.

The first day Rafah border opened due to the new regulations –a day of celebration to Gazans- 530 Palestinians passed in both directions and the second day around 845 Palestinians have crossed in both directions and the third day only 250 passed into Egypt which sparked the whole crisis.

The meeting was chaired on the Palestinian side by Dr. Ghazi Hamad, Chairman of the Palestinian Crossings Committee in Hamas’s De Facto government in Gaza and the Egyptian side was chaired by leaders of the Egyptian national security.

Rafah border’s opening was a dream that went back to being a dream after an attempt of turning it into reality, Gazans havent got the chance to feel happy or relieved. A crisis hit Rafah border and now doubts are camping over it. Will it open again or will the problems will be deep enough to cause more restrictions and closure?

Round up on Palestinian affairs, Arab affairs & international affairs

2011-05-16T16:48:00.000+02:00

Round up: Nakba, Gaza, Rafah border, Egypt, Beyonce & More

Gaza, May 16, Ofcourse, I will start by rounding up Nakba historical events yesterday. Palestinians, Arabs and internationals marched in masses yesterday in many countries commemorating the Palestinian that happened 63 years ago. Nakba day is when nearly 800,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes by armed Jewish gangs who confiscated their lands and homes, captured many of them, killed many of them and forced many of them to leave their own homes.

Starting from Gaza, hundreds of Gazans marched in masses reaching a few important borders:

1- Rafah border: Man Gazans protested there in parallel with my Egyptian activists who also showed up on the Egyptian side of Rafah to show support to their Palestinian brothers and sisters.

2- Many Gazans also marched in Khan Younis till they reached the border there.

3- Many Gazans marched in masses reaching Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, where Erez checkpoint is located (links between Gaza and The West Bank).

Ofcourse, Nakba events and the preparation for a 3rd intifada scared Israelis since a while ago when they pressured Facebook to close the 3rd intifada’s page on Facebook because thousands were liking the page every 5 seconds. Then, they reached out for many countries and started media propaganda campaigns to stop it. When Gazans approached Erez checkpoint and advanced a little, the Israeli forces there went ballistic and started firing tear-gas, bullets and tank shells on them. One Gazan was martyred and nearly 190 got injured. Many were poisoned, most of the injured were children, 3 were critically injured and among those was a journalist named Mohammed Othman who was directly shot by the Israeli forces.

In the West bank, 1 martyr fell and 100s got injured throught the West Bank after being shot. Israel used many tactics for cracking down on those un-armed Palestinian youth, they dressed plain clothes and also disguised as journalists to arrest Palestinian un-armed youth.
Palestinians and Lebanese people also showed up in Maroon Al Ras, again the Israeli forces there near the border line went crazy and killed 10 of them and injured many others.

In Golan heights, also many Palestinians and Syrians showed up. Israeli forces went crazy and killed 5 of them and injured many others.

In Jordan, many Palestinians and Jordanians marched to show support of Nakba until the Jordanian police cracked down on them injuring many.

In Egypt, thousands showed up in Tahrir square raising and waving the Palestinian and Egyptian flag in a spectacular view showing support of Nakba. Then, many showed up infront of the Israeli embassy to protest and demand its removal. Many decided to sit-in until the Egyptian army cracked down on them and arrest many including two Egyptian bloggers, twitter sensations and tahrir sq. revolutionists:

1- Tarek Al Shalaby (@tarekshalaby on twitter, plz follow him if you are on twitter and make #FreeTarekShalaby trend) and join this facebook page for his release:
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/freetarekshalaby

2- Mosaab El Shamy (@Mosaaberizing on twitter, plz follow him if you are on twitter and make #FreeMosaabElShamy trend) and join this facebook page for his release:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Free-Mosaab-ElShamy/211994268821603?sk=info

Help us demand their freedom now Please.

Really funny Reality checks, no they are not jokes, they r real:

1- Israel filed a complaint to the UN saying Palestinians were “violent” while commemorating Nakba day. Let me remind you that Israel killed 15+ yesterday and injured 100s of un-armed Palestinian youth.

2- Bashar Al Assad, Syrian fascist president, showed his anger towards Israel’s brutal attacks against the Palestinians in Golan Heights. So, its okay to kill your own people but when Israel wants to shoot them you get angry??!!!! EXCUSE ME?!.

I get asked about Rafah border nearly every day. Any new news? Any new facilitation? Its opened right? Gaza isn’t sieged anymore right? And so many other questions.

Clearly, many misconceptions are flying in the air and they need to be cleared. Gaza’s siege is mainly imposed by Israel and was (and still a bit is) backed by Egyptian government. So even if Rafah is widely opened Gaza will still be sieged by Israel. Rafah border opens on old regulations where only 3 categories can dare try to get out of Gaza:

1- Who seek medical care outside (not all cases, just those who are in critical state).

2- Who seek education abroad and own a visa.

3- Who owns either accommodation permits or foreign nationalities.

Even those previously mentioned cases cant guarantee a definite exit, they can be denied and returned for any reason and sometimes for no reason. Facilitation was spoken about by the Egyptian government but nothing took place yet. Egypt and Hamas both want Rafah border to be controlled by Egyptians and Palestinians only. Israeli will not approve –ofcourse- and will attempt to disrupt this by either occupying the border or bombing it.

Israel fired warning shots against the Spirit of Rachel Corrie, a Malaysian ship carrying a humanitarian aid cargo to Gaza. People on board are fine and safe gladly but they were worried when both an Israeli armed ship and Egyptian ship were surrounding it and going around it.

Here are some link with more info:

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=24783

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/180131.html

Ofcourse Egypt’s uprising rocked our world for so many days, many of us were glued to the TV cheering for tahrir square revolutionists and praying for their victory. It was so inspiring that many were touched but yet many had the thought of “KACHING”. They use everything and monetize every huge event so they made books, documentaries, films and so many other things. But come on, we are wise enough to know who is supporting Egypt’s uprise and who is trying to just make money out of it.

Beyonce, a very clever American entertainer\artist, decided to immediately benefit from this and recorded a song called “Who rules the world (Girls)” and guess what: The video clip’s idea is a heroin who starts a feminine revolution to rule the world and she even wwears something very similar to the folkloric Egyptian Pharaoh outfit, hmmm sounds familiar? Check this teaser out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrYy75PUbnE&feature=player_embedded

One Last thing, I will be interviewed live with Dr. Mustafa Al Bargothi, Dr. Eyad Sarraj and Joseph Dana to talk about Nakba events with Ismail Khalidi from the IMEU, tune in on this link:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/imeu/2011/05/16/the-nakba-day-protests-and-their-significance

Ok, Thats all for today. Thanks for reading.

Follow me on twitter: @Omar_Gaza and @GazawiNews

Follow the IMEU on twitter: @theIMEU

And on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/theIMEU

Follow Joseph Dana on twitter: @ibnezra

Love and peace to all,

Omar 4m Gaza

Gaza's avant garde beauty revealed

2011-05-12T09:27:00.000+02:00

Revealing Gaza's avant garde beauty

When you remember Gaza or hear of it the first few things that come to your mind are: siege, suffering, power cuts, water-fuel-supplies shortages, war, martyrs, injuries, horrible living conditions, challenges, desperation, biggest open-air prison and similar stuff.

But what you don’t know is that Gaza is much more than this, Gaza holds beauty. Unfortunately Gaza’s beauty is covered and deformed by Israel’s constant barbaric attacks on Gaza that leaves no choice or time for anyone to stop and think about such unique beauty. I think it will do Gazans, Palestinians and pro-Palestinians good to read and watch something good and happy and beautiful about Gaza for a change, therefore I decided to dedicate this post to Gaza’s beauty by revealing Gaza’s avant garde beauty in a number of pictures below.

Pictures shedding a light on Gaza’s natural beauty taken by the amazing and talented Gazan Phtographer, Mohammed Asad:

Photos taken by the artistic Wasseem Sarraj:

Miscellaneous:

P.S. It was very hard to find photos of happy children in Gaza so I tried to collect a few. If you dont believe me, google "Gaza children" and see that all the pictures are of devastated Gazan children. Since this post is supposed to be happy and beautiful I will end it by saying I hope you enjoyed it.

Gazan wins first ever marathon in Gaza

2011-05-05T21:20:00.000+02:00

UN holds first marathon in Gaza, local runner wins

Gaza, May 5, United Nations Relief and Works Agency –UNRWA- announced that Gaza’s first marathon will be held on the 5th of April 2011 in order to raise funds for its "Summer Games", which benefit the quarter of a million Palestinian children. UNRWA said in a statement that the race will be held on a distance of 42 km on the entire Gaza Strip, where the children will race in stages with the Gazan professional athletic coaches for the Olympic Games in London next year, in addition to the UNRWA staff and local and international participants.

Gemma Connell, Gaza-based Australian UNRWA staff, is one of the first planners of this the marathon idea she even trained hard to be to participate in it ten hours per week during the past five months. Gemmasaid ," We want people to participate and support the marathon if they are in Gaza or the establishment of a similar event for those who can’t come to Gaza, or sponsor one of the Gazan contestants.

She added, "We hope to collect a million dollars and the proceeds will go to the Summer Games in 2011”. These games will give Gazan children entertainment and a sense of accomplishment in these difficult and unusual circumstances and continued, "When you make a donation, you can grant the Gazan child the best two weeks of his life".

1,300 schoolchildren joined the marathoners for the last kilometre of the run and 150 ran an eight-km course. While seven Palestinians and two foreigners living in the Gaza Strip took part in the full marathon.

Naidal Al Masri, local runner, won the race after running 26 miles (42.2km) in 2 hours and 47minutes. Nader’s passion has been running and training for a long time, he ran past Gaza’s long shore, through demolished buildings after Israel’s assault on Gaza in 2008-2009, through piles of sand and on broken roads. Nidal expressed his wish to be a part of London’s marathon in 2012.

Chris Gunness, a spokesman for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), confirmed that the Marathon succeeded in in its goal by raising 1 million dollars which will endorse children’s summer camps and summer games in Gaza.

Chris also said that holding such a successful marathon in Gaza just shows that Gaza is a normal place like any other place in the world and can hold marathons just like those places.

Youtube Link of a video by AFP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AearN6Ow41s

Follow me on twitter: @Omar_Gaza @Gazawinews @theimeu

Gazawi page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/FromGaza

Palestinian Reconciliation between supporters & opposers

2011-05-05T04:28:00.000+02:00

Unity celebrations across Palestine

Gaza, May 5, Just like the initial signing on the Palestinian reconciliation paper in Cairo and the secretive meeting between Hamas and Fatah came as a surprise, on April 3rd came a new surprise when the Palestinian factions did the official final signing on the Egyptian paper of the Palestinian reconciliation. The signing came one day earlier than the day reported before.

As appointed before, the celebration ceremony came one day after the signing but again it didn’t happen as planned. It was postponed for a few hours and wasn’t aired live, but a conference was held with the presence of Hamas, Fatah, Mahmud Abbas, Palestinian president, Khaled Mashaal, chief of Hamas political Bureau, representatives of all Palestinian factions, independent Palestinian figures and media figures, Egyptian officials and prominent Arab and International figures.

Sources said that the reason behind not airing the celebration ceremony live came because Hamas and Fatah had a little argument about Mashaal sitting on the stage near Abass and making a speech representing all Palestinian factions. So they preferred not to air it live.

Unity celebrations took place across Palestine in both Gaza and the West Bank. People where chanting slogans of unity, cheering, honking their cars, waving Palestinian flags and flags representing all Palestinian factions and the Egyptian flag, wearing their Kuffeyeh and overwhelmed with the awaited happy feeling of unity.

Palestinians made sure they show Egypt their appreciation by holding Egyptian flags and waving them everywhere, they also chanted slogans thanking Egypt for their efforts and huge role in bringing the Palestinian division to an end.

This day was historical for many reasons, for example many things happened and will happen that never happened since four years ago like:

1- Raising the yellow flag of Fatah in Gaza.

2- Raising the green flag of Hamas in the West Bank.

3- News papers will be finally allowed in Gaza, Hamas newspapers will be allowed in the West Bank.

4- Al Aqsa TV (Hamas oriented) will air from the West Bank.

5- Palestine TV (Fatah oriented) will air live from Gaza.

6- Palestinians felt united.

Hamas issued statements saying “division” is history now while Mahmud Abass, Palestinian president, said that Hamas in a part of us and a part of Palestine and the division has ended.

Three things will be immediately done now after the reconciliation:

A- Releasing political prisoners from both Hamas and Fatah prisoners in Gaza and the West Bank.

B- Forming a technocratic transitional government.

C- Preparing for presidential and legislative elections which will happen one year from now.

Arabs showed their support of this Palestinian unity and asked all factions to make sure this unity lasts and be effective enough to end the Palestinian division for ever.

However, Israel continued issuing statements opposing the Palestinian unity issuing new reasons every time. The latest Israel reaction came when the Israeli ministers demanded Israel to permanently cut water and electric power on Gaza as a collective punishment for celebrating the Palestinian unity. Those Israeli ministers also asked Israel to keep halting the tax funds to put pressure on the Palestinian Authority to cancel the reconciliation.

Israel also said they have no intentions –whatsoever- in working with a new Palestinian government that includes Hamas in it unless Hamas makes essential changes ( by that they mean Hamas should recognize Israel).

Palestinian officials responded with one short response: “We choose unity and reconciliation”.

Youtube Videos showing Palestinians celebrating unity:

1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1gU6qVoKLQ&feature=player_embedded

2- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEyYk9b1Y9I&feature=player_embedded

Follow me on twitter: @Omar_Gaza @Gazawinews @theimeu

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Palestinian factions sign the Palestinian reconciliation paper 1 day earlier

2011-05-03T15:19:00.004+02:00

Palestinian reconciliation paper signed 1 day earlier

Gaza, May 3, Just like the initial signing on the Palestinian reconciliation paper in Cairo and the secretive meeting between Hamas and Fatah came as a surprise, today came a new surprise when the Palestinian factions did the official final signing on the Egyptian paper of the Palestinian reconciliation. The signing came one day earlier than the day reported before.

Azzam Al Ahmad, Fatah, said that a conference was held today with the participation of all Palestinian factions so they can sign the Egyptian paper of the Palestinian reconciliation which Hamas and Fatah initially signed on April 27th.

A ceremony will be held tomorrow to celebrate the Palestinian reconciliation with the presence of Mahmud Abbas, Palestinian president, all Palestinian factions and many other Arab and international prominent figures.

Egypt declared that an official invitation was sent to all Arab Foreign ministers in addition to many other international and European countries (including China and Russia) to be a part of tomorrow’s ceremony.

Its also reported that Many Egyptian officials will attend including Amro Mousa, Secretary-General of the Arab League.

This will have a step to naturally follow the singing of the reconciliation, which is releasing the political prisoners of both Fatah and Hamas in Gaza and the West bank.

Now the big step is the preparations of forming a transitional government that will be leading the Palestinian house for one year till the preparations for Presidential and legislative elections are ready to take place.

Palestinians everywhere felt happy and shocked hearing about the signing today and we all felt that its essential to sign it ASAP considering all the international, national and local pressure in all directions which can be damaging. Palestinians believe that this time the reconciliation it might last and work out to be successful.

Palestinians are also expressing their gratitude for Egypt that played a huge rule in helping Palestinians since years ago.

As the first good sign of this Palestinian reconciliation, the daily power outage in Gaza didn’t take place today which made Gazans more hopeful towards seeing the siege break soon.

The second good sign is that the Egyptian Ministry of Interior issued an order allowing Palestinians with Egyptian mothers to obtain the Egyptian nationality.
The hard part hasn’t come yet and this is far from over, now the upcoming months will witness huge efforts from all Palestinian factions to resolve all the issues and work on taking Palestine into a safe lasting unity. A transitional government has to be formed, elections has to be discussed, many issues still need to be resolved and dealt with.

One of the hottest file which will take the biggest attention is the file of the armed conflict that happened between Hamas and Fatah that led to deaths from both parties and deaths of civilian Palestinians in Gaza. The file isn’t political, its humane and deals with complicated issue related to bloodshed. This file will need allot of time, effort and healing to be resolved and both Hamas and Fatah said that it’s a sensitive matter but they will work on it.

The debate about the UN recognizing a Palestinian state is still going on and I believe that it will affect the reconciliation while the reconciliation will give the UN a stronger will to actually go on with this declaration in June.

Palestine is going through a very important year this year, many changes and many major good news. We will witness allot of important events and we are hopeful enough to believe that this is a good step towards a siege-free Gaza and a liberated Palestine.

Al Arabiya reported a breaking news flash saying that Netanyahu, Israeli PM, demanded Abbas, Palestinian president, to immediately cancel the Palestinian reconciliation agreement.

Palestinian across Palestine will march tomorrow in masses celebrating the Palestinian reconciliation, calls are also asking for mass marches on Friday calling it "Reconciliation Friday".

Follow me on twitter: @Omar_Gaza @Gazawinews @theimeu @ECESG

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Palestinian Reconciliation ..... between Reality & Wishful thinking

2011-05-01T14:29:00.001+02:00

Palestinian Reconciliation ignited media-war between Israel & Egypt, Poll about Palestinian reconciliation and what awaits Palestinians

Gaza, May 1, Israel spewed continuous reactions on the Palestinian awaited reconciliation before dragging Egypt into a media-war. Netanyahy, Lieberman, many other Israeli ministers and many other Israeli officials and Army chiefs rushed to express their rage about a possible Palestinian unity asking USA, UN, EU and the world to step against this Palestinian unity because now –as they see- Palestinian unity will impose a danger on Israel. They all also demanded Hamas and the new interim government (that isn’t created yet) to recognize Israel and offer guarantees for Israel’s security and recognition.

If I may say, Israel is freaking out and it is obvious. Egypt then threw a bomb shell declaring that Rafah border will be “permanently” open with less restrictions and No what-so-ever Israeli involvement in controlling the border, saying it will be controlled by Egypt and Palestine only. This brought Israel over the edge and led it to drag Egypt into a media-war between both countries exchanging threats. Then both countries kicked it up a notch, Israel declared that Egypt will be “burned” if Rafah border opened permanently without any Israeli control, Egypt replied: “Bring it on”. I don’t believe Israel is dumb enough to launch a war against Egypt specially New Egypt after Mubarak’s regime, but I am afraid to say that a second possible war may be waged on Gaza so Israel can let it’s rage out and let out some steam.

I honestly don’t know where to stand regarding the Palestinian reconciliations, this week seems to be the longest week ever. Palestinians everywhere are praying fingers-crossed for this week to pass by smoothly so we can witness the final signing of the Palestinian reconciliation in Cairo on Thursday at the presence of Abbas and Mashaal. We are observing carefully the American pressure to break this unity demanding the recognition and threatening of cutting all the funds to the PA if they included Hamas in a new government especially when America considers Hamas as an “Organization of terror”.

People around the world think Palestinians cant be happier now, which is very overrated. Palestinians are anxious and awaiting, we have a long road ahead. First, we need to ensure the Palestinian unity taking place, then its continuality, after that comes lifting the siege off Gaza and finally comes freeing our country from the occupation. Opening Rafah border permanently doesn’t necessarily mean that Gaza’s siege is lifted immediately, we need more steps and more work. Let me just remind myself and you all that we are all taking about futuristic plans that didn’t happen yet, I hate to see us all considering this happened when it didn’t yet and might not happen.

Gladly, Hamas and Fatah stopped the media-campaigns against each other and decided to both be optimistic and till now both are showing good intentions towards a real close unity. PA is showing their will to be committed to this reconciliation and Ismail Hanniyah, PM of Gaza’s De Facto government, declared his will to step down as a PM for a new government of national unity.

So we can say that till now everything is going in the right direction despite the Israeli and American pressure to halt or ruin the Palestinian efforts towards a real unity.

Alpha international organization carried a poll about the Palestinian reconciliation and came up with some interesting numbers:

84% of Palestinians heard about the reconciliation, while 16% didn’t hear about it.

58% of Palestinians want Salam Fayyad as the new PM, while 77% of Palestinians believe that Hamas & Fatah will reconcile for real.

71% of Palestinians believed that Presidential and legislative elections will actually take place after one year of the final signing of the Palestinian reconciliation.

44% of Palestinians believed that Arab revolution yielded this reconciliation, while 32% of Palestinians believed that Gaza and west bank’s rallies against the Palestinian division yielded this reconciliation.

This poll was conducted by Alpha International Foundation for Research and Information and opinion polls, self financed and conducted on a sample representing the Palestinian community aged over 18 and residing in the Palestinian territories, including 35.5% in the Gaza Strip and 64.5% in the West Bank. The ratio of males 50.8% versus 49.2% of females, data was collected on Saturday, using the phone.

Cairo summoned the Palestinian factions to be present in Egypt this week, all Palestinian factions will be present at the final signing of the Palestinian reconciliation this anxiously-awaited Thursday.

Gazans are very concerned and nervous this week, the reconciliation and Egypt’s late encouraging statement about breaking the siege lifted their spirits.

Follow me on twitter: @Omar_Gaza @Gazawinews @theimeu @ECESG

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The fine line between Authenticity and counterfeits

2011-04-30T02:42:00.002+02:00

Ocean & Blue rose, Bes & Wanna Bes, Angelina Jolie & Justin Bieber, Palestine & Israel

As we all know, there is a really thin fine line between being authentic and faking it. For example, instead of talking about the similarities between the ocean and blue roses, why don’t we talk about the differences?

You might think I am touching the surface, and the differences are either water and flowers or difference in letters but what I am trying to say here is that there is one deep vital difference between the ocean and a blue rose even if they are both blue.

The ocean is painted by an artistic touch of the blue sky, the color is genuine and real. Its natural paint created by god. While blue roses are usually white roses dyed with blue food coloring. While both may appear blue, one is real while the other is a counterfeit.

In life, people are usually divided into two categories regarding authenticity:

1- Bes: People who are comfortable with themselves and who they are, they accepted themselves for their flaws and qualities. People who aren’t afraid of being proud of who they are, they don’t feel like they need to be like anyone rather their own selves no matter how unique and different they are from the stereotypical type of the “perfect” people.

2- Wanna Bes: People who always thrive to be like a certain kind of people that they look up to or like or wish to be similar to. They lose themselves completely to become a copy of a certain kind of people so they can feel better and accepted which usually backfires at the end. Wanna Bes are those who wanna be like the bes, makes sense yet?

I try to always be tolerant enough to accept and love every human being regardless of any racism symptoms or obstacles. I don’t care whether you are black, white, beige or brown. I only care about how humane you are and how authentic you are. Every person has his own radar for authentic people and counterfeits which can be founded on many different standards. I have mine, and I am sorry to say that I don’t like fake people and I can’t accept them. Why don’t you work on yourself and try to represent who you are in a good way rather than becoming a copy of a person you admire? Why don’t you try to be unique in your own way and set an example rather than craving to be someone else?

I truly cant understand those who rush to have Botox injected in their lips to have their lips look exactly like the gorgeous Angelina Jolie, either because they love and admire her or because they need to boost their self confidence and look hotter by having Angie’s sexy lips. Well News Flash, Angie is unique because of who she is and what she represents so having her lips wont make you rich like her, sexy like her or humane like her. Its not hard for you to love and admire Angie but be happy and satisfied with your own lips. Angie’s sexiness, popularity and authenticity are all already taken by her so find your own instead of wasting your time trying to be a lame copy of her.

I laughed so loud when I heard that thousands of guys and boys in America going for the Bieber hair-cut or the Bieber look. Ok so I don’t like him and I think he is lame but even if I did I wouldn’t go get his hair-cut or maybe shake my hair bangs like he does or adopt his clothing style (yuck). Bieber fever was the most saddening but hilarious thing I have ever heard, people are willing to jump along on any new trend no matter how lame it is or it sounds.

I don’t know why people think they are obligated to ride every new trend. Its either Bieber or Kardshian or Lady GaGa or other music or any other kind of influential icons. Why don’t you be unique like them instead of being a copy of them?

Instead of thriving to taste every new trend, I would advise you to start your own new trend and have people thriving to taste it. Don’t overdo stuff, just be yourself.

Be yourself and walk your own path even if it sometimes hurts or pressures you to a point where you cant take it anymore. I am not preaching anyone here, I mean dont get me wrong I would love to have Brad Pitt's abs with Johnny depp’s charisma with Lady GaGa’s popularity and every other star’s blue eyes but yet I have to be proud of who I am and work on myself more to complete the whole puzzle of me.

I didnt want to shove Palestine into this but its somehow connected. Sometimes you abuse power and oppression to gain ownership and control. So originally the land belongs to Palestine but Israel used violence to gain ownership. This usually fails because what is yours will still remain yours at the end. So its clear here who is real and who is fake, who is authentic and who is the counterfeit.

BE YOURSELF, BE YOU AND NOTHING WILL EVER STOP YOU.

Would you wanna be a wanna be or a unique be? would you rather be a dyed blue rose or a genuinely blue shore?

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Palestinian ............... I was born

2011-04-28T22:51:00.000+02:00

Palestinian.............. I was born

A poem I wrote and then was surprised to see it being shared on so many websites :) enjoy :

Palestinian I was born, a stone was found carved in my hand because we were born to resist even if it meant to face a tank with only a stone, or a whole army with courage, or occupation with existence. If you are Palestinian then you exist to resist.

If you are Palestinian you were born to cherish your land just like you cherish your honor. Every olive tree planted anywhere in Palestine represents a piece of your soul, when removed you ache even if you live miles away inside or outside of Palestine.

If you are Palestinian you were born with a goal, a goal to fight for justice. You were born to breathe freedom, breastfeed on resistance and grow with a great passion and devotion for Palestine.

If you are Palestinian you were born to be bound to an honorable history. You indulge in a world-wide support and thrive for a free Palestine.

If you are Palestinian you were born to be blessed with tolerance and acceptance, given an unbeatable soul and endless determination.

If you are Palestinian you were born with a deep connection to every freedom fighter around the world no matter where he\she is, you become instant siblings.

If you are Palestinian you were born to consider Palestine as your mother, your father, your family, your honor, your pride, your goal, your case, your soul, your dignity and pretty much everything else.

If you are Palestinian you were born with a great sense of endurance that will get through anything in life.

If you are Palestinian you were born to absorb and understand politics even when you are just a child.

If you are Palestinian you were born to suffer the loss of a loved one whether imprisoned, killed, bombed or abducted by Israel.

If you are Palestinian you were born with a seed of intifada inside of you that will be watered as you grow.

If you are Palestinian you were born to always have your head up high.

If you are Palestinian you were born to understand me, listen to me, support me, stand with me, watch my back and attack any outsider than threatens my safety.

If you are Palestinian you were born to shake the safety ground under Israel because your existence means trouble.

If you are Palestinian you were born to never give up on Palestine and never let go of your rights.

If you are Palestinian you were born to be special.

If you are Palestinian you were born to be a part of every Palestinian revolution.

If you are Palestinian you were born with inner courage that will defeat Israel even if it takes a long time.

If you are Palestinian you were born to wear the Kuffeyeh and the Palestinian flag proudly every chance you get.

If you are Palestinian you were born to value every grain of Palestinian sand.

If you are Palestinian you were born with a impeccable sense of belonging, you know Palestine belongs to you and you act like it.

If you are Palestinian you were born to see everything in Palestine in a different way, the sky is bluer, the grass is greener, the sand is yellower and freedom is more precious than everyone thinks.

If you are Palestinian, you were born to be inspired and inspire others.

If you are Palestinian you were born to love Falafel+msakhan+Knafeh+za3tar+olives+olive oil because it’s a part of your heritage, it’s a part of who you are.

If you are Palestinian you were born to endure the endless waiting process when you are stopped on an Israeli check-point.

If you are Palestinian you were born to endure Israeli torture and abduction.

If you are Palestinian you were born to endure terrorizing, warplanes, annoying drones, tanks and armed boats.

If you are Palestinian you were born to like the sound of bullets just like your love to fireworks.

If you are Palestinian you were born to admire not only the rose but its thrones too.

If you are Palestinian you were born to the fact that life goes on even if Israel bombs and innocent people die.

If you are Palestinian you were born to be unbeatable, unstoppable and fierce.

If you are Palestinian you were born with a heart that knows no fear.

If you are Palestinian you were born to fly with your soul over any siege, borders, barriers and checkpoints.

If you are Palestinian you were born with Jerusalem as one of your main priorities.

If you are Palestinian you were born to endure endless electricity cuts, and actually wait for them to light a candle and read a book by Ramzi Baroud, Mahmoud Darwish, Remi Kanazi, Paolo Quelho or any other author you like.

If you are Palestinian you were born to put Palestinians and Palestine first.

If you are Palestinian you were born to be a human more than any human.

If you are Palestinian you were born to accept and expect the death of your children.

If you are Palestinian you were born to celebrate the death of every Shaheed “Martyr” because you know that he brought you one step closer to FREEDOM.

If you are Palestinian you were born to know love, if you can love your land that much you will love your soul-mate too.

If you are Palestinian then I congratulate you and I congratulate myself for there is no greater honor than that.

Omar Ghraieb 1\April\2011

A few of my poems I wrote for Palestine

2011-04-28T08:08:00.000+02:00

Emancipation, I am Palestine, Little Nora, Oppression

Since some of my tweeps cant enter my notes on Facebook I decided to share few of my poems here:

EMANCIPATION:

I'm scared and alone,

it's terrifying.

Explosions, blood, dead humanity is flying in parts.

Should I run? Scream? Shout? Or start crying?

I am lost like a ghost.

I don’t understand but I'm trying hard.

Am I dead or I'm dying?

Maybe it’s a dream that I can shake away.

Maybe it’s a night mare with dark rainbow rays,

Or can it be just a bad day?

My gut says it’s a pain that will stay.

I close my eyes and open them again,

I can't believe what happened;

I saw a man playing the violin,

I looked deep into his eyes

I swear I saw a tear but I can't hear him cry.

I am thinking of ways to escape, but how?

I look at the skies and see them get raped.

I look at the beaches and see them beaten up in hate.

It's so dark yet there is no shade.

How did I get myself into this crusade

The man whispers to my ear;

"The exit is very very near,

All you have to do is to come over your fear."

He guided me towards getting strengthen and

All I did was listen to the voice with in.

He said my wings are ready to help me fly

He said:

"Up there no one can hurt you now fly up high!"

He asked me to set myself free

Where I can witness the marriage between infinity and eternity,

There where all miseries end

I am safe; I can transcend

---------------------------------------------------------------

I am …… Palestine

I am Palestine …… I am not scared

I am Palestine …… I will never be heard

I am Palestine …… you have no idea what I bared

I am Palestine ……. I have done things you never dared

I am Palestine ……. Have you ever cared?

I am Palestine ……. I will never be shared

I am Palestine ……. I fly high even when I am an injured bird

I am Palestine ……. I shall never be raped, hurt or admeasured

I am Palestine ……. You tried to subject me and you simply backscattered

I am Palestine ……. Just like the phoenix from my ashes I emerged

I am Palestine ……. You asked and I answered

---------------------------------------

Little Nora went early to bed that night

When she heard a humming sound becoming closer

She rushed to her window to see warplanes so close in sight

But she didn’t care

Because she could swear

That this happens every night

She went back to her warm bed

And placed her little head

On her little fluffy pillow colored red

She started counting the happy sheep

She reached number nine then fell asleep

Dreaming of a new happy peaceful day

So she can wake up, kiss her mom then play

Little Nora didn’t know that this is her last night

She won’t be able to witness the sunlight

A loud deep explosion was heard but Nora never woke up

The missiles were invading her room non-stop

Little Nora stepped into another world

Were birds & laughs can be heard

Nora saw little children with freckles and curls

They were all playing and feeling safe

They were all strong and brave

Nora smiled thinking she is in heaven and no longer in hell

And that her family had her story to tell

Nora knew that her people won’t be numb anymore

They will fight for their freedom till it comes to their door

*Nora could be a Palestinian child or a Libyan child or an Iraqi child or an Afghan child or any child living in an oppressed country where fascists have no mercy and she has to pay the price of freedom.

---------------------------------------

Oppression:

Get on your knees

Its Hercules

Your mission is to beg for every tease

I want to hear you scream “Please”

You don’t have any say

All you can do is to obey

Freeze when I demand you to freeze

I have no mercy and nothing to cease

Your pains and torture will increase

Your ownership and dignity will decrease

I will rape your land

Steal your legacy

Break your legs

So you cant stand

When I invade your privacy

I will break your face

Paint you with disgrace

Until you rest your case

And stop fighting for your freedom

I will cover your sky

And make it dark

Dry your sea

Until you bark

I will rip your mother’s heart

And squeeze

I will kill your dad

With ease

Ill use your children as human shields

Rape your wife and sisters

Maybe rape you too

With no regrets or things to undo

Ill burn your trees

Ill demolish every house

Shoot the birds and step on any mouse

Wipe you from this earth

Show you all shades of death

Feed every newborn child

To my monsters and their pride

Ill never be happy

Until I bring your insides outsides

Ill put you in a little box

Only you and a wild fox

Bring joy to my eyes

While I see you two fight

What a sight

I want to see ripped apart

Deny you from food and water

And when I am bored

Ill play with you a game called “slaughter”

Ill throw you in refugee camps

Fill you all over with labels and stamps

Ill take you a hostage

Till you give me your heritage

Ill stab you till you stop resisting

Ill unleash my devils as long as you are existing

Yes ofcourse I want peace

Doesn’t that mean to blow you into pieces?

And step on you like little creatures?

No education

No rights

Deal with it, reality bites

I don’t see anybody standing up for you

They all abandon you

You are on your own

Oh wait your not even that

You are for me to own

I terrorize you with all kinds of internationally banned weapons

While you fight back with a stone

Isn’t that justice?

I don’t care if the world is a witness

What will the world do?

Fight for you?

I don’t think so

The world followed silence

When I was using violence

So just lose hope

I don’t care if you cope

I like playing this game

I never felt shame

Do you want to know my name?

My name is OPPRESSION

Through this poem I wish salvation

For every oppressed nation

Not only Palestine

We are all meant to shine

Break our mental and physical constraints

Release ourselves and others from all kinds of pains

Live free or die trying

Stop Oppression

Stop judging

Stop condemning

Stop bullying

Stop labeling

One nation, one love and united by humanity

Hamas & Fatah held joint press conference in Cairo

2011-04-28T01:05:00.000+02:00

Detailed info, Reactions & Expectations

Gaza, 28, Hamas and Fatah held a joint conference in Cairo on the 27th of April. They declared that both conflicted parties have signed on an initial agreement of the Palestinian reconciliation paper supported by Egyptian efforts. Azzam Al Ahmad represented Fatah while Musa Abu Marzooq represented Hamas.

Touching base on the most important issues discussed and declared during the joint conference, I concluded a few points:

1- Cairo will summon the rest of Palestinian factions to arrive and sign the final agreement of the Palestinian reconciliation by next week.

2- A technocratic government to be created to represent a unified Palestinian government.

3- Resolving all issues regarding Elections, their timing, procedures of implementing it and how it will be monitored.

4- Activate the role of the Palestinian legislative council.

5- Both representatives thanked all Arab, Islamic and international directions that helped this reconciliation happen, and stressed on the great Egyptian role and efforts.

6- They urged the Arab media to help those efforts of Palestinian reconciliation flourish, to have no mercy on any party who doesn’t work hard enough to make this reconciliation work and to be playing the role the supporting guard to this reconciliation.

7- United Palestinian is stronger than a divided one.

8- Palestinian division helped Israel take advantage of a weak Palestine.

9- Both conflicted parties should walk the road of reconciliation till the end and make it work, also the national participation should continue even after the elections and united government.

10- Both conflicted parties agreed on NOT repeating Mecca’s mistakes and failure.

11- Iran didn’t influence or pressure this reconciliation yet Iranian and Arab support is welcomed.

12- Naming the prime minister and ministers of the new technocratic government would be next Wednesday after signing the final agreement on the Palestinian reconciliation by all Palestinian factions.

13- The Arab revolution and the New Egypt had a definite impact on the Palestinian efforts towards reconciliation.

Both conflicted parties were asked about the guarantees given to prove that this time the reconciliation will work and last, they both answered saying their commitment is the solid guarantee.

News also reorted that Mahmud Abbas, Palestinian president is said to arrive to Gaza through Rafah border along with Khlaed Meshaal, Chairman of Hamas Political Bureau when the reconciliation is final.

As for the Israeli reaction on the Palestinian reconciliation, Israeli PM, Netanyahu renewed his threats to the PA asking them to choose between Hamas and the peace negotiations with Israel, which was answered later by the PA by asking Netanyahu to choose between peace and colonization, showing that they clearly chose the Palestinian unity.

A second reaction came when Israeli tanks and bulldozers suddenly advanced into Rafah only minutes after the declaration of the Palestinian initial agreement on reconciliation.

The IMEU (Institute of Middle East Understanding) issued a few reactions of influential figures:

Rashid Khalidi

Inter-Palestinian reconciliation and elections -- both for Palestinians under occupation and those in the diaspora -- are the esssential preconditions for establishing a unified national movement and a consensus on a strategy for liberation. Without these things, the Palestinians have little hope of changing their situation, which is characterized by occupation and dispossession. This agreement, one of the first fruits of the fall of the Mubarak regime and the Arab spring, will hopefully be a step in that direction.

Eyad Sarraj

This is a very important breakthrough in the Palestinian internal conflict, which has lasted for 4 years and has resulted in serious political and social damage. By agreeing on a resolution and reconciliation of the divide, the Palestinians are putting themselves on the right road for liberation and statehood. The most important meaning of the agreement is the principle of sharing power and democratically competing for it. This agreement means Hamas will enter the PLO leadership and all other issues including security, forming government and elections will be dealt with through agreement. Without the Egyptian revolution, and change of the regime, it would have been very difficult to reach this agreement.

Nadia Hijab

This is the first concrete sign of how the Arab spring will impact the Israeli-Arab balance of power and the US Middle East role. After failed attempts by the former Egyptian leadership, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar among others, and despite concerted Israeli-US attempts to stymie reconciliation, the new Egyptian leadership has seemingly scored a success. Fatah and Hamas suddenly need each other given Fatah's loss of Hosni Mubarak's and Hamas' reliance on a suddenly precarious Syria, and demands for unity by Palestinian youth. The deal underscores the US administration's fading ability to influence events, and the new realities Israel must deal with. There will be much to watch in the months leading up to the Palestinians' request for full membership in the UN.

Diana Buttu

Israel's greatest fear is to face a united Palestinian polity that demands its rights, as was stated earlier this month by Israeli PM Netanyahu. It is important to remember that one of the biggest obstacles to Palestinian unity was international interference, particularly interference by the United States and the EU. This is an important step in Palestinian history and I hope that this agreement will lead to a broader Palestinian strategy on how to effectively challenge Israel's military rule, its apartheid system and its denial of Palestinian freedom.

Raji Sourani

A continuation of split is suicidal for the Palestinian cause and people. The Palestinian leadership has no right or reason to continue the split. The most recent Israeli leadership has embarked on war crimes; through humiliation and social and economic suffocation - leaving Palestinians in their worst situation since the Nakba. This Israeli government has no agenda for peace. There is nothing left for the Palestinians to be divided about: it is politically meaningless to continue the Palestinian split. Palestinian people will not forgive or forget any political party who will continue to keep the Palestinians away from a path toward, unity, liberation and freedom.

Check the link here : http://imeu.net/news/article0020815.shtml

The Palestinian street reacted in different ways, some started celebrating right away in Gaza and the west bank and abroad while others chose to be optimistic but careful since a failure occurred before. On the other hand, some others chose to be totally optimistic saying this wont change and the reconciliation wont hold enough to become reality, instead it will soon fail and Palestinians everywhere will be disappointed. Arabs rushed to congratulate their Palestinian friends and prayed for the reconciliation to last this time.

Many speculations are being spread around on the reconciliations and expectations of either disappointing failure or mass success that will make Palestinians everywhere happy and excited. A new Israeli war on Gaza expected by Israel since the Israeli PM rushed to show anger and start threatening the PA which showed that they will attempt to halt, spoil or impact the reconciliation in any way possible.

Palestinians everywhere considered this step as the first step towards a free Palestine, many even considered this as the end of Gaza’s siege and Rafah border’s ordeal.

Palestinian reconciliation's news immediately made world news and was first news on New York Times, Haaretz, Reuters and numerous other international top media venues.

So the questions every Palestinian is asking now: will this reconciliation hold or fail? How will It impact the life of Palestinians? And How will Israel react?

To stay updated follow me on twitter: @Omar_Gaza
and follow: @theimeu and @Gazawinews

Gazawi Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/FromGaza?ref=ts

Hamas & Fatah agreed on initial agreement

2011-04-27T17:23:00.005+02:00

Hamas & Fatah agree on creating transitional government

Hamas and Fatah members and representatives met in Cairo in an unplanned meeting today amid media blackout -which is unusual-, since they always share news about the arranged meetings. The meeting was described as “positive”.

This meeting was actually more than “positive” since Hamas and Fatah both signed an initial agreement on the Egyptian reconciliation paper. Its noteworthy that Hamas and Fatah came close of signing this same Egyptian reconciliation paper many times before then changed their minds last minute demanding more changes and exchanging blames.

Hamas representative who signed this initial agreement was “Musa Abu Marzooq” with Fatah representative “Azzam Al Ahmad” in Cairo under the support of Egypt or new Egypt if I may say.

Both conflicted parties agreed on creating a new transitional government.

The first initial reaction of Palestinians was a bitter-sweet feeling, they are hopefully yet they cant forget that this news happened before and didn’t end up to be fruitful or take place in reality.

Will we witness a real full Palestinian reconciliation this time and the end of the Palestinian division? Or is it just a new stunt? Only time will tell I guess.

Cairo will summon the Palestinian factions to sign the final agreement within a week in the presence of President Mahmoud Abbas and Khaled Meshaal. News talked about a government of national unity should be created in a few days. News also reported that a press conference to be held tonight to declare more info.

Azzam Al Ahmad,Fatah representative, to Maan: We agrred upon creating a technocratic government, and an important press conference tonight #Palestine.

Sources also said that both conflicted parties discussed the elections and PLO.
To be continued .....

Just like Freedom Flotilla 2 a.k.a. Stay Human, US boat to Gaza will sail despite Israeli threats

2011-04-26T09:36:00.000+02:00

U.S. Boat to Sail to Gaza Despite Israeli Threats

US boat to Gaza issued a press release confirming and insisting on sailing to Gaza despite Israeli threats of intercepting the boats or attacking them. Here is the press release:

US human rights advocates who are planning to sail their boat - The Audacity of Hope - this spring as part of an international flotilla in solidarity with the people of Gaza will not be deterred by implied threats of violence by the Israeli government, say the boat's organizers.

The Israeli media recently reported that that country's UN ambassador, Meron Reuben, asked the international organization to stop the flotilla, which is expected to include some 12 boats carrying a thousand nonviolent civilians from dozens of countries. Reuben characterized the activists as "terrorists" with ties to Hamas, the Islamist party that rules Gaza, who are "willing to become martyrs."

Jane Hirschmann of the US Boat to Gaza, which is organizing the US participation in the flotilla, said that the Israeli charges "are absurd and would be laughable if it were not for the fact that last year, the Israeli military boarded a Turkish boat with aid for Gaza and killed nine unarmed civilians, including an American."

The use of "the language of anti-terror", retired US Col. Ann Wright, one of the people who will be on the boat and who was on the 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla which was attacked by the Israeli military, said, is a "not very subtle threat against the nonviolent human rights activists who will be aboard The Audacity of Hope and our partner ships. We have no ties to Hamas or any political party. We are sailing in peace, we are sailing unarmed, but be assured that, despite these threats, we are definitely sailing."

Press contact: Felice Gelman

Gaza: Emotions, Easter, Electricity & Emancipation

2011-04-23T09:45:00.000+02:00

4 Es in Gaza & Palestine in general

Emotions: Abeer Skafe,10,Hebron, died today after a nervous breakdown & complete paralysis for Israel denying her permission to see imprisoned father

Easter: Gazan children celebrating Easter in a church

Electricity: Gazan children defying darkness

Emancipation: when you spend your life trying to free yourself

Emotions:

Hmmm I have allot to say about this part but this story will say it all. Abeer Iskafi, 11, from Hebron, died yesterday after a nervous breakdown and complete paralysis. Abeer was prevented by Israeli authorities from hugging her father when she went to visit him in prison where he is serving a life term. Israeli police officers in charge of the prison where Abeer Eskafi’s father, Yousuf, is serving his sentence, allegedly did not allow the 10-year-old to go over to the prisoners’ side of a meeting room where visitors can meet inmates when she expressed a wish to hug her father. The little girl was so hurt by the episode that soon after returning home, she refused to eat and retreated into a shell of silence. Later she became paralysed and subsequently slipped into a deep coma that even affected her respiratory functions. She is now on life-support at a hospital in Hebron.

Doctors at Hebron’s Princess Alia Hospital say Abeer’s condition is deteriorating steadily, which is preventing her from being transferred abroad for advanced treatment which the Palestinian health service is not in a situation to provide. Physicians treating Abeer have warned that there’s a big risk to her life if she is moved from her bed or if the connection to the artificial breathing apparatus is disturbed. Abeer’s father has been sentenced by an Israeli court to four life terms with no chance of parole.

All specialist doctors who saw Abeer diagnosed her condition as psychological, and the girl’s health deteriorated till she became totally paralyzed and had to be hospitalized when she lapsed into a coma.

Meanwhile, Yousuf, Abeer’s father had to undergo emergency surgery after suffering a heart attack on hearing about his daughter. Abeer’s elder brother, Ahmad, was shot dead by the Israelis in 2007. Abdul Rahim Abdul Mohsin Eskafi, Abeer's grandfather, said that her health started to decline following her visit to her father in prison.

Eskafi said Abeer used to be allowed to the other side to hug her father and spend a couple of minutes with him on earlier visits but was refused such permission on her latest visit ostensibly because she had passed an age limit a few days ago that made her ineligible for such consideration.

Abeer died at Princess Alia Hospital in Hebron late on Thursday after falling into a coma days earlier. She was buried in Al-Rashid cemetery in Hebron with the participation of city’s residents, local officials and religious figures.

This is how brutal life can get when you are living under occupation; Palestinian children usually pay the price on one way or another. They are either brutally killed while playing, or have to suffer the loss of one or more loved one, or the abduction of one or more loved one, or maybe suffer permanent disabilities, or get a serious disease as a result of Israel’s misuse or abuse of illegal weapons against Palestinians, or maybe they get abducted by Israel and serve the rest of their lives in prison just because they were born Palestinians or maybe die after being denied permission to seek treatment outside Palestinian because Gaza’s siege and West Bank’s occupation leave no place for medical prosperity. Palestinian children are exposed to overwhelming emotions that adults in other places in the world cant deal with and yet we expect from them to be successful, live a normal live, have no physical or emotional complications or even complain about it. We often forget that Palestinian children at the end of the day are children like any other children around the world except the fact that their childhood is stolen from them before they can even enjoy it.

Easter:

This brings us once again to Palestinian children in general and Gazan children in particular. I am muslim, yes, but I have many Christian friends in Gaza and the West bank so let me give you a glimpse and a taste of what is Easter like in Palestine. I hope this process wont overwhelm you but here we go:

So both Gazans and West Bankers prepare themselves for Easter by applying for permits to visit holy places in Jerusalem and Bethlehem (Yes, we don’t even have the freedom of Worshiping here in Palestine, everything is oppressed). The Israeli military government starts performing a security check and a background check on every Palestinian who applied for a permit even if those same Palestinians have already applied tens of time, always a new series of procedures that will take a life time to finish.

Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip have been required to get Israeli army permission before they can enter Jerusalem since Israel cut off East Jerusalem from the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories in the early 1990s.

Ofcourse permits are only given to businessmen who will benefit Israel’s market or those who suffer from a serious illness and lucky enough to be still alive when Israel grants them the permission of traveling through their own country only after a lifetime of procedures and security checks. A long ago, Israel used to give those permits also to workers from Gaza and the West Bank because they get paid less and they don’t get any medical insurance (Do you smell slavery here or is it my nose only?).

What is really ironic is that internationals from around the world get the permission to visit Palestine’s holy places while Palestinians have to sit, watch and envy. (Ever wondered why Palestinians get angry sometimes? Well I kinda gave you one part of the answer).

So to make a loooooooooooooooooong story short, lets just say that Palestinians spend their Easter waiting for permits which usually end up with a huge disappoint, why you ask? Here is why:

1- Israel either gives them permission after Easter ends.

2- Or gives them permission to stay one day only.

3- Or allows a few members of one family to travel while prevents the other members.

Lets not forget also that every Eid, festival or celebration (Whether Christian or Muslim) in Palestine has to be special. Meaning: Israel has to always either participates in our Eids or makes them more special by either bombing, raiding or killing a number of Palestinians.

Electricity:

Again there is so much to say about Electricity in Gaza or better yet THE LACK OF ELECTRICITY IN GAZA, so as to not to confuse you: by talking about electricity in Gaza you always end up talking about darkness. I came up with this equation: in Gaza Electricity equals darkness. I know its very obvious but hey I came up with it anyway.

Gaza’s longtime suffering with electricity starts from a loooooooooooooong time ago. We suffered everything regarding electricity, you name it. We went through hours, days and weeks without electricity. Hard to imagine eh? Well that’s reality when your living in Gaza.

Rather than the daily power cuts that became routine to every Gazan, you have sometimes to go through days without electricity. At first you get angry but then you get used to it and learn how to live with it and around it. The longest period of power cuts we ever went through was during Israel’s war or assault on Gaza in 2008-2009 when we had to live nearly 23 days without electricity (for those who made it and stayed alive after the war ended). I think by now you are wondering why we suffer those power cuts right? Before I right the reasons below I just would like to dissect Gaza’s electricity.

Gaza’s power supply comes from three providers, which are:

A- Egypt: This provides Rafah and other areas in southern Gaza with high voltage power lines.

B- Israel: This provides some southern areas in Gaza with electric power.

C- Gaza: Gaza’s only power plant that provides some areas in Gaza city with power, Israel bombed the plant numerous times then prevented equipment from entering Gaza to fix it leading to major failures in that plant. The plant doesn’t work in full force either because some of its engines are down or because of the lack of fuel to run it.

Now, lets talk about the main reasons behind Gaza’s darkness:

1- Israel controls all Gaza’s crossings and supplies which means they control the amount of fuel that enters to operate Gaza’s only power plant which is usually a very low amount that’s if we are lucky enough and the crossings are opened. In addition to controlling the power supply they provide some areas in Gaza with, they can cut the power whenever they feel like it.

2- Hamas doesn’t want to use all the entered fuel and that can be for many scenarios talked about by Gazans, either because they are trying to save it for the bad times when no fuel is available or other scenarios alleging that Hamas saves some fuel to sell it.

3- When the PA in Ramallah decides to teach Hamas a lesson and apply pressure for the fuel not to enter Gaza.

4- Concerning Egypt’s power supply: to be honest I haven’t heard that the Egyptian supply of electric power cuts allot or usually but then again I don’t live in Rafah so I cant claim to know the whole story.

Gazans usually invest those loooooong power cuts by gathering around and having a good time, or reading books or playing cards or just enjoying the candle light. They learned how to cope with everything. Gazan students are experts in studying on candle lights because they are always studying for their exams and the power always keeps on cutting. (How does this affect their eyes and vision? Well that’s a whole other story to be told some other time).

Finally, Emancipation:

Emancipation might represent a synonym for some people but for Palestinians it represents a personal goal that they spend their lives trying to achieve. We do go through many kinds of things that we feel like we need to free ourselves from, for example:

1- We need to free ourselves from Israel.

2- We need to break Gaza’s siege.

3- We need to end the occupation in the west bank.

4- We need to free Palestine General

5- We need to end the Palestinian division.

6- We need to free ourselves from misery and suffering.

7- We need to be independent and free in all aspects whether it’s the economy, culture, education, faineances, medical issues, movement and traveling, owning our own lands, defending ourselves and raising our children in a safe healthy environment.

Emancipation might mean freedom and rights but for us it means much more.

Gaza:If human life means nothing why should animals matter?

2011-04-20T08:20:00.000+02:00

Dead Camel

Dead Hen

Dead Sheep

Fake Zebra

You might think I am crazy because I chose to write about animals and their rights in Gaza while humans have no right, well you might be surprised how both are closely linked together.Many have this misconception that the word “humanity” concerns humans only which is totally wrong, being human –in my opinion- means treating everything with humanity.

I have been fancying about the crazy idea of writing about animals for a while now, what brought it up is a poor little black puppy that suffers from a broken leg and came to settle down under the building I live in. This poor puppy thought he is at a safe shelter, he didn’t know he would be the target of every passing person and the target of huge wild dogs at night.

I was born and raised in Europe where people and animals have nearly equal rights (I bet you thought I was about to talk about the equality between genders here, but what I am saying is that humans and animals nearly have the same equal rights). Animals are respected and treated in such a way that animal brutality is considered a “crime”. But animals in Gaza, well that’s a different story to tell.

When I first came here I was shocked with the amount of donkeys I saw. I was used to horse carriages but never saw donkey carts before so it was all new to me. We brought back our cat with us to Gaza so it’s clear that my family and I are animal lovers.

I wouldn’t generalize my accusation by saying all Gazans are brutal to animals, some are animal lovers too and they own one pet or more but you do witness animal abuse here not because the people love to abuse animals but because they think it is okay and it is the way to do things.

Seeing children chasing cats and dogs to throw rocks at them or pull them from their tails or perhaps smack them against something was very shocking to me, also most of the donkeys pulling those heavy carts are either ill with skin diseases or dirty or suffering from animalistic anorexia. (Animals do suffer from Anorexia too, am not making this up I googled it).

Then as I started growing up I decided to learn more and dissect those facts to see what stands beside them and you will be shocked like I was shocked when I thought about it. To make it simpler, yesterday I asked a little boy about the reason behind his torture to a helpless injured black puppy in the street. I thought the boy was 13-15 years old but later found out that he was younger but sounded and looked older. He looked at the sky and had no direct answer for me, when I pushed for an answer he started laughing and being sarcastic but when I pushed some more and acted serious he just looked down. He kept playing with a rock by passing it between his hands until he answer me back with a question : “What else do you expect from me?”.

He continued, “I see people dying every day here In Palestine, animals are killed too so why should I care? Why cant I just do like everyone else and torture that dog? So what if he dies? Who cares? Why isn’t his mother protecting him? Who will stop me?”. And the questions never ended. I asked him why he considered Gaza as Palestine when Gaza alone isn’t Palestine and his answer came in such a sarcastic way which clearly indicated he was making fun of me when he said., “isn’t Gaza Palestine?”. After asking me about the west bank he claimed he never saw it, all he saw was Gaza so why would he care about the west bank or other countries, I asked him: “Do you believe in God”, he nearly punched me while answering “FOR SURE”, I told him we don’t see god yet we believe in his existence. He went silent for 2 seconds and then started shouting, “Why do I have to keep hearing about stuff, the world, countries, dolphins, life, freedom, safety, traveling and so many stuff that we will never ever ever see or experience ha?”. Honestly, I was shocked and I didn’t know what to answer. “I saw my cousin, his wife and all of his kids and neighbors die in 2009 so why should I care about a lousy animal? People die and u care about your damn dog? I don’t care if he dies right then and there”. He was very angry and decided to leave running in the opposite direction.

How could I ask Gazan children to treat animals in a humane way when animals abroad are treated in a better way than them? How could I ask them not to torture animals when Israel tortures Palestinians everyday and they even kill animals? How could I ask them to be human when everything in their life teaches them to be tough and cruel? How could I teach them to be fair to animals when Israel and the world aren’t being fair to them?

How could you expect a child to be good to a dog when he witnessed the genocide of many people whom he loved and care for and the world did nothing to protect him or them? How could I tell him not to torture animals when Israel killed even animals during Gaza’s assault in 2008-2009?

There is an Arabic expression that says: “He who doesn’t have a certain thing can be a giver of this same thing”. Give us humanity and be fair to us then come tell us to be humane. Why would you care for an animal when you saw your whole family murdered by Israel for no reason? Why would care for an animal when Israel shoots animals all the time? It doesn’t make sense, does it?

But I do believe in small things and that being humane cant be partial, if you want to be so human you have to be humane towards everything. Maybe if we open the first huge animal rights organization in Gaza it can make a change or an impact. Maybe this will lead us to opening a huge human organization in Gaza that protects humans. Maybe the animal rights organization will attract more western attention that will be linked to the protecting human organization which will lead for more powerful pressure. Its sad and pathetic, I know but what other choice do we have?

Why cant Gazan children experience freedom? Or humanity? Why cant they sleep feeling safe? Why cant they be free to travel and experience touching a real dolphin rather than seeing a foreign child touching this dolphin? Dont they deserve to be happy and secure like the rest of the children around the world? Why do you blame them for not being humane enough when you showed them all the reasons not to be human for? Why ask them to be more humane when you’re killing them and killing their loved ones? Why kill their humanity then ask them to revive it? Its like swamping a recovering alcoholic with ridiculous amount of booze.

Here is a video showing Gaza Zoo after Gaza war 2008-2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUH29KVz7Rk

All the pictures above -except for the fake zebra- show animals killed during Gaza war 2008-2009 by Israeli gunshoots and tanks. Even animals werent safe.

Two years ago (2009), a story surfaced from Gaza that left the world laughing at us but left us crying at ourselves and the level of desperation we have reached. A zoo owner decided to paint a few donkeys with black stripes to make them look like Zebras. This man wanted to make Gazan children smile and feel that they aren’t forgotten, he wanted them to experience something new, something other children around the world take for granted. He knew he was faking Zebras but all he cared about is making those children smile after being traumatized by Israel’s war on Gaza that same year. The memories were so fresh and vivid that he wanted to help those kids move on so bad. He lied and pretended that those were real Zebras.

See The video here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNjidijtL1I

When will Gazans have equal rights with animals around the world? Ooooops sorry let me rephrase that: when will Gazans have equal rights with humans around the world? I remember reading Vittorio Arrigoni’s first blog posts from Gaza, he asked why does the world go crazy if a child trapped a cat in a box and smashed that box and care more than caring about the children of Gaza who get slaughtered in awful ways while the world watches?

Should you care about them just like you care about an injured puppy if u were a real human?

Vittorio was clever enough to come up with this title for one of his books about Gaza: “Stay Human”. He knew that humanity is missing in Gaza, not missing from people’s hearts but missing in how Gazans are treated.

May you rest in peace Vik.

Vittorio Arrigoni's killers captured in Gaza, 2 dead + 1 injured

2011-04-19T18:22:00.003+02:00

Gaza, April 19, Hamas police forces announced Today that they surrounded a building in Nuseirat camp where they were tipped that the 3 suspects who are behind Vittorio Arrigoni’s death are hiding in.

Then they engaged in armed dispute before two gave up and were captured from which 1 got injured.

As for Abdel Rahman Breizat, the Jordanian suspect, shot himself before his capture and said that he threw a grenade on the other two suspects to kill them so they wont get captured and speak about the direction behind Vittorio's death. Al Omary was killed minutes after his capturing. the third got injured.

Ministry of Interior spread the pictures of those 3 suspects across Gaza, Gazans spread those pictures widely and vowed to turn them to justice.

Gaza is now very happy to see those murderers get captured. Justice is served.

From Gaza to Vittorio with love

2011-04-19T00:20:00.002+02:00

Your name is carved in our souls

Gaza vigil for Vittorio

London Vigil for Vittorio

Dear Vik, I decided to write you a letter today to tell you what you have missed since you have passed away. Let me go back to the black Friday of your death, Gaza was very sad and devastated. We couldn’t handle losing you because it was something too big to be handled, but what I knew later on is that you were loved worldwide not only Gaza. Vik you touched so many lives here, the people who knew you, the people who heard about you, your friends, your close friends, the farmers you endangered your life to protect, the fishermen who could never forget your bravery while you were on board with them trying to protect them and document the Israeli violations, your ISM family, your folks back home and hundreds of people around the world who were inspired by you.

Vik wallah I got emails from around the world from people who were huge fans of you, they read ur books and were really looking forward to meeting you one day. The emails expressed such grief for your loss; people were upset that you left us all early before they got the chance of meeting you. The emails were from many countries around the world but you cant imagine how much Italians you touched and inspired. I kept asking myself why are those Italians so touched by you more than others, I forgot that you are Italian and I know if you were alive you wouldn’t blame me, you are more Palestinian and Gazan than many of us.

Last Saturday I went to TedxRamallah, the cab ride was aweful. On my way there I kept watching Gaza’s streets and skies, they looked different. Gaza isn’t the same without you Vik, its like something is wrong or just not right or maybe something is left undone that’s how I feel. Police in the streets felt useless for me, they did their best to release you while you’re still alive and I believe that but for me that isn’t enough. We looked useless too, I felt like we should have protected you but I don’t know what could we have done to save you but we owed you that. I want to be honest Vik, when I heard you passed away I was angry and sad and kept thinking you hated Gaza and Gazans at your last moments but then I knew I was wrong when I calmed down. You loved Gaza more than we did, you fought for Gaza just like we do if not more so you will never ever hate Gaza or Gazans no matter what.

At tedxRamallah Huwaida Arraf had a word to say, she wasn’t going to attend after hearing about your death but then she decided to come and dedicate her segment to you, they showed a video about you and your numerous good deeds for Palestine and Gaza. She was in tears, Ramallah was in tears, Gaza was in tears and everybody else watching through VC or online. But then we smiled because we remembered something nice about you and we wished you were there sitting between us. I truly felt that day that you were watching from above.

Rim Banna dedicated a song for you and Juliano Mer Khamis, you were both a huge loss for Palestine. Every speaker mentioned you, knew you and loved you.

Gaza held many vigils and funerals for you, people here showed how much they loved you and cared about you, you were an inspiration for us all. I cant believe those who call you a murderer, a terrorist and all these crappy biased untrue things. I always considered you as the HUMAN in Human Being. You were so humane that you touched numerous hearts around the world. You fought for Palestine and Gaza’s freedom viciously but you only used determination and passion as your only weapons. How could you be a terrorist and how could you be a threat to any one? I wished those who are trashing you really knew your human side or knew you before they opened their filthy mouths. I couldn’t understand how one person can be considered as an enemy to a whole country and a heavily armed army??? Well that just shows how much you were touching people and inspiring them.

Vik I have a few good news for you: They renamed Freedom Flotilla 2, its now called “Stay Human” taking after ur words and the name of one of your books on Gaza, and listen to this: your mom is coming with Stay Human to Gaza, we are so happy. We are planning to go meet her and show her how much we loved you, I truly cant wait to meet her and hug her and tell her thank you for bringing you to life and tell her how many heart you touched. Alessandra wants to come too maybe soon, she cant make it now but she told me that she would love to come to Gaza when she can.

A street will be named after you in Gaza to honor some of your most noble deeds for Palestine and Gaza. Your friend Claudia came to Rafah today to take your body back to your family in Italy. Honestly, I would rather have seen Alessandra here at Rafah today to take you back to your second home since you considered Gaza as your home too. Let me tell you a new secret, I always asked myself why do you love Gaza and Palestine that much, and always wondered if I was Palestinian and Italy went through the same would I be as passionate as you are? You are among few activists who loved Palestine and Gaza enough to die for them. You passed away here; god answered your prayers as you always prayed for dying in Gaza. You wanted to die in Gaza so bad that you never left Gaza during Israel’s war on Gaza 2008-2009. You stayed and volunteered in a hospital and took a shrapnel in your arm. You also attended most of the buffer-zone protests and kept shouting “Shaheed” there. You joined the ISM family to protect the Gazan farmers and fishermen, something I never dared to do.

Your friends here wanted your family’s permission to burry you here and I wanted that also because everyone knew you would want that too, but I wont be selfish enough to be angry at your parents for wanting your body back to burry you in Italy. We all know that your soul will never ever leave us or leave Gaza. I told everyone that I feel you are watching over us and Gaza from above like a guardian angel.

Vigils around the world are taking place to honor you, you are globally loved. You were so down to earth; you loved every cm of Gaza. You never hesitated to meet anyone here or visit any place, you always felt so safe here which is remarkable because Gaza is a war zone but you cared less for violence and more for humans. You are like no other person I have ever met, knew or heard of.

I keep thinking about stuff we can do to honor you, like the street thing or maybe a charity holding your name or anything that keeps your legacy alive. I then realized that you never asked us to pay you back for your love to Palestine because it came from within you. You considered Palestine as your country and us as your family. Your legacy represents your books, friends, love for Palestine and Gaza and the unbeatable flame of your passion towards Palestine and Gaza.

I promise you Vik we will never ever forget you, not one day will pass without 1 person here or around the world thinking of you and what you gave for Palestine and humanity. You are a role model for hundreds around the world.

Vik Gaza misses you, we miss you, Gaza loves you, we love you and you will always be carved in our souls very deep inside. May you rest in peace and rest assured that many will complete what you started. You aren’t silenced, instead your voice became louder because many people around the world are using your voice now.

I miss you.

From Gaza to you Vik with all our love.

TedxRamallah VCed in 20 cities including Gaza

2011-04-17T20:01:00.000+02:00

TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with two annual conferences -- the TED Conference in Long Beach and Palm Springs each spring, and the TED Global conference in Edinburgh UK each summer -- TED includes the award-winning TED Talks video site, the Open Translation Project and TED Conversations, the inspiring TED Fellows and TEDx programs, and the annual TED Prize.

TED became so vital and desired that it started making small events like in Kenya and huge ones like in Berlin and the recent one in Ramallah.

TEDx = TED + x and the x= Independently Organized TED Event.

TEDxRamallah held a very successful event in Ramallah on April 16 -2011, this event was video conferenced in 20 cities across the world including here in Gaza. The preparations and organization skills were both impeccable and impressing coming from a person who attends many events here in Gaza, TedxRamallah Gaza VC was a huge, unique and successful hit. Facing little technical errors is something you cant escape in Gaza due to low electric power and internet fluidity.

TedxRamallah showcased a broad rangeof inspirational speakers, they were either Palestinian or Pro-Palestinian. Here is the complete list of speakers and hosts:

Suad Amiry: a Palestinian architect, author of "Sharon and my Mother in-Law: Ramallah Diaries" and the founder and director of RIWAQ (a non–profit organization dedicated to restoring Palestinian buildings). She spoke about her book and inspiring life experiences that made her end up as a writer when she turned 50 year old.

Jamil Abu Wardeh: believes in the community-building power of a shared laugh -- especially in Arabic. He jumpstarted the Dubai standup comedy scene and produced the Axis of Evil Middle East Comedy Tour. He hosted a number of sessions in such a sophisticated funny way.

Julia Bacha: is an award-winning filmmaker who directed and produced Budrus (2009) and co-wrote and edited Jehane Noujaim’s critically acclaimed documentary, Control Room (2004). Julia talked about Budros and the message behind it, how it changed people’s minds and inspired many around the world.

Wael Attili: is co-founder and chief creative officer of Kharabeesh Network. Kharabeesh is a storytelling house for the new Arab generation that aims to place Arab cartoons on the WEP map. Wael is the blogger behind Sha3teely.com. He also founded other online business such as ishki.com and rusoom.com. Wael spoke in such an abstract way that brought us closer to him and his successful experience.

Fadi Ghandour: is the founder and CEO of Aramex, a global logistics and transportation solutions provider. Fadi is passionate about social entrepreneurship and founder of Ruwwad for Development, a private sector-led initiative engaging youth to empower disadvantaged communities. He is a Founding Partner of Maktoob, the world’s largest Arab online community. Fadi spoke about the outstanding initiative of

Alessandro Petti: is an architect and researcher based in Bethlehem. He is the Director of DAAR, an architectural research studio based in Palestine, which combines discourse, urban intervention, education, collective learning, public meetings and legal challenges as a form of political intervention and narration. He co-curated research projects on the contemporary urban condition exhibited in various biennials and museums. He spoke about his experiences and point of views.

Abedalrahman Katanany: was born in 1983 in the same building he now lives in, once a hospital named Gaza Hospital. He graduated from the Lebanese university where he studied Fine Arts. His caricatures were exhibited from 2001 to 2008 in Beirut and a number of European countries of which France, Spain, and Norway. He also exhibited his art work in Lebanon, Malaysia, and France. In 2008, Abedalrahman was awarded a Special Mention at Musee Sursock’s 28th annual “Salon D’Automne” exhibition, followed by an award for creative youth. Abed spoke about the Palestinian refugee camps from his avant garde artistic view.

Gisel Kordestani: is the director of New Business Development at Google for Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. She joined Google in 2003, and played an early role in developing the company’s global commercial systems, strategies and partnerships. Through her studies, Gisel examined reconstruction efforts in Beirut following the Lebanese civil war. She has worked and traveled in over 70 countries. Gisel spoke about the importance of social media nowadays, how empowering it is, what impact it has and how she helped make it happen in many countries specially those which are considered as “war zones”.

Laila Atshan: is a psychosocial counselor working with Palestinians afflicted by the Israeli occupation. She is a consultant for UNICEF and other international organizations. Some of her recent assignments include training UNICEF staff working in the Darfur conflict zone and training Iraqi university professors in promotion and implementation of human rights in the context of conflict. Laila's blindness has allowed her to transcend limitations; she is an avid swimmer, horseback-rider, musician, and world traveler. Leila illustrated such a sense humor that rubbed in every listener, she ran her stories across in such an interesting way that left listeners wanting more.

Steve Sosebee: is the founder and CEO of the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF). The PCRF is one of the most effective medical and humanitarian non-profit organizations working in the Middle East today. By founding it, Steve has made a difference to the lives of thousands of children (3,000 children just in 2008), by helping them obtain expert medical tests, evaluations and screenings, and surgery or treatment for free. He has worked and lived in Palestine since the first intifada. He is the proud father of two daughters, Deema and Jenna. Steve shared some stories of his successful attempt to help Palestinian children with the help of internationals around the world, he also shared a success story of a Palestinian little girl who had a brain tumor and is now completely cured.

DAM: is the first Palestinian hip hop crew and among the first to rap in Arabic, began working together in the late 1990s. Ten years of performing all over the world has strengthened DAM’s commitment to provide the youth of their city - Lyd - and neighboring communities with programs and opportunities that have otherwise been denied to Palestinian citizens of Israel. In addition, they have conducted workshops for young people from the West Bank to the US, Canada, and Europe. DAM ignited life into the attendees and listeners, they brought everyone to clap and sing.

Zeina Barhoum: born 1984, is a classically trained Jordanian Soprano of Palestinian origin, started singing in 1997 in the school choir. In October 2008, Zeina attended a course in voice at Accademia Di Santa Cecilia in Rome. During the course, she did private vocal training with Signora Alberta Valentini and Signor Walter Alberti. In March 2010, Zeina received a scholarship supported by The Peace and Prosperity Trust and A.M. Qattan Foundation. Zeina is currently recording for her first album. Hosted some the sessions from Amman with such a remarkable smile.

Sheerin Al Araj: was born and raised in Al Walajeh, Palestine. She studied political science at An Najah National university in Nablus. In 2008 she joined the United Nations' mission in Darfur as a human rights officer. In 2010 things developed dramatically in the village with the construction of the apartheid wall. She then took the decision to quit her job to return to Al Walajeh. Shereen managed to get the attention from everyone, she is a true inspirational Palestinian women that brought a new meaning to resistance “Sumood”.

Mohammad Khatib: is a Palestinian refugee who grew up in Arroub Camp originally from a village called Qastina. Mohammad worked as a web developer intern at Google, after which he co-founded Bazinga! a startup catalyst and a tech hub in Ramallah. He co-developed an android application in solidarity with current rise of the Egyptian people. Muhamed gave all Palestinian students hope and showed them that with studying, hard work and determination everything is possible to be achieved.

Afaf Shawwa Bibi: is a communications trainer and consultant. She has coached professionals from various industries on: presenting, sales skills, email and phone communication, business writing, teamwork, meeting management and intercultural communication. She produced and acted in “Sharon and My Mother-in-Law,” her stage adaptation of Suad Amiry’s hit book by the same name, in Beirut and Amman. Afaf was the host from Lebanon, she presented Amal Chahabi.

Huwaida Arraf: is a Palestinian lawyer with American and Israeli citizenship. In 2001 Huwaida co-founded the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), which has twice been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.Huwaida is currently the Chairperson of the Free Gaza Movement. Since August 2008, she has led 5 successful sea voyages to the Gaza Strip. She was one of the primary organizers of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in May 2010. Huwaida payed a tribute to Vittorio Arrigoni, the ISM volunteer and International journalist who was kidnapped and killed in Gaza 2 days ago. Huwaida also showed a great deal of strength when she continued hosting sessions with a huge smile.

Sam Bahour: is specialized in business development with a niche focus on the information technology sector and start-ups. Sam was instrumental in the establishment of the Palestine Telecommunications Company and the PLAZA Shopping Center and until recently served as a Board of Trustees member at Birzeit University. He writes frequently on Palestinian affairs and is is co-editor of HOMELAND: Oral History of Palestine and Palestinians. He blogs at www.epalestine.com. Sam shared his experience of moving from USA to his homeland and how the occupation gave him a hard time for choosing to go back to his home in Al-Bereh.

Amal Chahabi: is a Palestinian refugee born in Ain el Helwe camp in 1961. Amal is currently heading the the Amal Center for the elderly in Ain el Helwe refugee camp along with her active role in the women’s anti-abuse program lead by the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA). Amal tells her marking story of her detention during the Israeli invasion of south Lebanon in 1982 in Danah Abu Rahmeh’s documentary “Kingdom or Women”. Amal shared her story of resisting for her country in Lebanon, how she got imprisoned, how her life changed after prison and the truly inspiring story of her disabled son who went from committing suicide to an athletic icon in Lebanon.

Adam Shapiro: is a documentary filmmaker, human rights defender and Palestinian rights activist. His last film was a documentary series on Palestinians around the world called “Chronicles of a Refugee”. His current film is about the occupied Jolan. Adam was a co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement in Palestine and led a solidarity delegation to Lebanon during the 2006 War.

Aroub Soubh: studied Fine Arts and worked in media with a special focus on children and youth. She created, produced and presented the TV program “Waqet Al Farah” for which she won the Golden Award for Best Children’s Program at the Cairo Radio and Television Festival in 1997. Aroub is now part of a team of experts realizing the first independent Jordanian TV channel.

Munir Fasheh: studied and taught math for many years; got his doctorate from Harvard in education and worked in Birzeit University. During the first Palestinian intifada (late 1980s), he left academia and established Tamer Institute for Community Education, which revolved around protecting and providing “learning environments”. In 1997, he established the Arab Education Forum within Harvard University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Munir talked about the instituted system, Instituted education and how life’s knowledge can be sometimes more beneficial than MB degress.

Khaled Al Sabawi: is the first certified Geothermal Engineer in the Middle East. He is the Founder and President of MENA Geothermal, a Palestinian green energy business. MENA Geothermal was awarded the National Energy Globe Award in 2008 and is currently installing the largest geothermal system in the Middle East, in Jordan. Khaled was the first to bring the Geothermal Green system to Palestine, successful systems have been already implemented in the west bank.

Rim Banna: is a Palestinian singer, lyricist and composer, born in Nazareth in The Galilee. Rim studied music and singing in the High Institute for Music “GNESINS” in Moscow (USSR), and specialized in modern singing and conducting singing ensembles. She works on composing music and participates in different Palestinian, regional and International concerts and festivals, where she represents the Palestinian voice and the Palestinian song. Rim started by saluting everyone even those listening to her in Gaza which caused a very loud applause, Rim sang “Ya Leil ma atwalak” as a tribute to Juliano Mer Khamis (Jenin Freedom Theatre founder) and vittorio Arrigoni (ISM volunteer in Gaza and an international journalist).

Raja Shehade: is by profession a lawyer who founded Al Haq (Law in the Service of Man), a non-partisan, West Bank affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists. In 2008 he was awarded the prestigious Orwell Prize for his acclaimed book Palestinian Walks. The book describes over two decades of turmoil and change in the Middle East, steered via the history-soaked landscape of Palestine. His latest book is “A Rift in Time, Travels with my Ottoman Uncle “. Raja spoke about law and how he built Al Haq center and then followed his passion to writing.

Mark Gonzales: Poet. Scholar. Lover of Life. Mark Gonzales is an HBO Def Poet with a Master’s in Education, a Mexican and a Muslim, a Khalil Gibran meets Pablo Neruda in a lyrical break dance cypher. He transcends citizenship identity to break borders and wage beauty across continents through culture. He is respected internationally for his creative approaches to suicide prevention, human rights and human development via performance, photojournalism, and narrative therapy. Mark’s unconventional art and way of expressing his poetry caught the attention of all listeners, he got a loud applause too.

Alice Walker: is world renown for her fiction, poetry, essays, and human rights activism. Her fiction, in particular her novels, have established her as a canonical figure in American letters, as well as a major figure in what scholars term the renaissance in African American women’s writings of the 1970s. In 1982 Alice published The Color Purple, now a classic of American literature, for which she was awarded the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction - the first African American woman writer to receive this award. Alice shed a light on her visits to Palestine (West Bank and Gaza), how she is constantly interrogated when she applies to enter the west bank and her thoughts of supporting Palestine.

Saleh Abdel Jawad: is Dean of Faculty of Law and Public administration at Birzeit University. Political Science Associate Professor at Political Science department where he has been teaching since 1982. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Paris-X (Nanterre) in 1986. Saleh is co-founder with Samia Botmeh of Shat-ha hiking group since February 2006. Saleh took us on a journey through Jordan valley and the west bank reading from his personal memoir.

Mohamed El Dahshan: is an economist and writer. Mohamed has maintained his blog www.travellerwithin.com as (semi-)anonymous until the end of the January 25th 2011 revolution in Egypt, in which he took part from day one. He has live-reported the revolution for social and traditional media. Mohammed spoke about the social network and its major role in Egypt’s revolt, he thanked the Palestinians for participating and helping Egyptians get the info across and shared some personal photos of tahrir revolution.

The event was long but Gazans were far from tired, instead they were asking for more. We were inspired and we dared to be ambitious enough to dream of one day hosting TedxGaza and video conference it to reach Ramallah and other cities of the world. It was such a rich and informative event that nourished the Gazan intellectuals who attended it.

Check TED intl. website here: www.ted.com

If you missed the livestream of today’s show, you can watch it online here: http://www.tedxramallah.com/eventday/

GoodBye Vittorio Arrigoni, killed in Gaza 15\4\2011

2011-04-15T04:39:00.000+02:00

We Will never forget you, RIP.

Vittorio Arrigoni,36, Italian ISM volunteer in Gaza plus a respectable journalist who always made his best to shed a light on Gaza, was kidnapped yesterday by an “unknown Group”. The group threatened to kill him if Hamas doesn’t respond to their demand: which is to release one of their prisoners in Hamas jails. They gave Hamas 30 hours starting from 11am from 14\4\2011.

At 3 30am 15\4\2011 Reuters News Flash on twitter reported Vittorio’s death, the source was unnamed Hamas source. Then tweets and rumors started asking about the credibility of this news, some started denying while others were confirming. At 4 am Vittorio Arrigoni’s death was confirmed by Hamas officials.

Ministry of Interior, Gaza, issued a press release saying that they immediately moved to search for him once they got the news of his abduction; they did their best until they reached 1 suspect who led them to the other suspects and the place where Vittorio was held in. They entered and found Vittorio already dead. They arrested two suspects and doubt that more accomplices may be involved. The press release also referred that the crime came to shake Gaza’s image and scare international activists away specially after the news of the preparations for a second freedom flotilla. The press release pointed out that the abductors wanted him dead because they killed him after a short while of his abduction. The Ministry of interior promised to follow all the murders, prosecute them and punish them.

The press release of the interior ministry in Gaza didn’t mention more info, no mentioning of the where and when he was abducted, why he was abducted and by whom.

On the other hand, France 24 offered more details –which I cant confirm or deny – about Vittorio’s death and abduction process without mentioning the source behind these info:

The Italian was killed by suffocation and his body was found in a street of the city of Gaza," a spokesman for the Islamist movement which controls the Gaza Strip told AFP.

Two suspected kidnappers were arrested and security officials are looking for accomplices.

Foreign aid workers in the enclave earlier named the man as Vittorio Arrigoni and said he was an activist with a pro-Palestinian group called the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), who was also working as a journalist and writer.

Vittorio was Italian by birth but his dedication to Palestine and Gaza made him no less Palestinian than any other Palestinian, he came to Gaza many times and live here for a while. He endangered his life numerous times while working as a volunteer with the ISM (International Solidarity Movement) in Gaza when he was trying to protect farmers and fisherman, in addition to his participation in all buffer-zone protests.

Vittorio meant allot for Palestinians, Gazans and his friend everywhere. He is a huge loss for us all, may he rest in peace.

We will never forget you Vik.

NEW UPDATES on Vittorio Arrigoni's abduction in Gaza

2011-04-14T20:39:00.000+02:00

According to PalToday Magazine, Italian Foreign Affairs Office declared the loss of communication with one of their citizens in Gaza without mentioning names of confirming that its Vittorio, but its obvious in the Youtube Video shared earlier that its him.

Ansar Al Sunah "Salafi" Group in Gaza, declared their responsibility of Vittorio's abduction and said they will release a press release soon. According to PalToday Magazine.

Vittorio Arrigoni is 36 years old, Italian ISM worker in Gaza.

Join Vittorio's support group on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/ghRe0k

Sign this petition asking for his immediate release and share it : http://goo.gl/4TFRd

Gazans will move to Al Jundi Sq. tomorrow at 4 pm in Gaza to protest and ask for his immediate release, join the facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=218681814813064

Vittorio Arrigoni, ISM worker, Kidnapped in Gaza

2011-04-14T18:57:00.001+02:00

Vittorio Arrigoni, 36, ISM volunteer in Gaza, was kidnapped earlier today in Gaza city. Later, a youtube video surfaced showing Vittotio blind folded and beaten up.

Salafi Jehadis claimed the responsibility of kidnapping and abducting him asking Hamas government in Gaza to release Abu Al Waleed Al Maqdisi in 30 hours starting from 11 am today 14\4\2011 or else they would kill him.

All jornos in Gaza, Vittorios friends here and his friends everywhere ask Hamas to immediately intervene and release Vittiorio who worked hard to help Gaza for a long time.

Please lets all pray for his safe release.

The youtube vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2XtPcDprbM

No-fly zone over Gaza + Global events + Personal thoughts & Feelings

2011-04-13T11:29:00.001+02:00

From Gaza to the outer world

This I have to say:

Gaza, April 13, Its amazing how we consider it a good day in Gaza if Israel is not continuously bombing killing civilians, children and women yet we are still suffering from complete shortages in everything which ignited a humanitarian crisis in the strip after major shortages in Medicine, cooking gas, fuel and electricity.

It seems like we got used to these crisis to the extent that they became our daily routine. Israel finally opened Gaza’s crossings today but honestly that made us feel nothing, they barely let in what Gaza needs so they wont make up for the week of closure but life goes on and so do we.

I don’t know how to describe what you feel and how you cope while living in Gaza, its like you are automatically programmed to deal with any sudden tragedies, events, bombing, crisis or any related matter.

Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by Gaza that I forget West Bank exists or the world exists. We are bound to be tracking the news, politics, on-ground events and daily recaps because this is the way it is and this is the way our lives are formatted.

What do you expect from us when we live in such a besieged coastal enclave? We live in the biggest open air prison. As for the mental siege, Israel cuts our electric power, supplies, fuel & air if they could to keep us isolated and alone. In Gaza, every house has a story of tragedy whether directly affected by it or happened to a neighbor, loved one, relative, or friend. If Gazans aren’t participating in the funeral of a martyr they would be visiting injured people in the hospitals or helping the disabled or maybe running to the UNRWA to get some supplies or maybe trying to make a living by collecting gravels and stones near Gaza’s border putting their lives in total danger. Numerous kids, men and workers get shot by Israeli armed towers and they die or face serious injury while trying to make a living. People here are so swamped into our strange lifestyle that we seriously forget there is a world out there.

Its like we don’t have the time to be happy, live a normal life or have fun. We cant afford fun, we can afford only tragedies and miseries. We try to steal little moments so we can do something we like yet we do feel guilty inside thinking that maybe its not the time of luxury.

It’s a unique atmosphere of resilience and will power here in Gaza, something that I would have missed if I stayed in Cyprus Island where I was born and raised. You get this power and immunity towards every bad thing that might happen. Israel will bomb the hell out of us at night yet in the morning life goes on, children walk to their schools under heavy shooting and bombs, people leave for work, sun will shine and Gaza will never die. It gives every instinct inside of you a 10 times push and a huge kick where you can face anything in this world including death itself since your life and the life of your loved ones are in constant non-stop danger.

We also connect to all uprisings across the Arab world. We put the fundamentals of revolting back in 1948 by igniting a powerful intifada like no other which inspired the whole world and made it to the global dictionary. So we cant help but keep tracking uprisings everywhere and support it in every way possible. Ofcourse the global media outlets take different stands towards these uprisings digging deep to find a flaw in each and every one, but we don’t care. We support the people everywhere and believe in people-power. Palestinians become one in times of tragedy and become 1 with their fellow arabs in times of their tragedies too because simply we care.

We stood with Iraq and Lebanon during America’s and Israel’s animalistic war against them. We stood with Tunisians while they raised their voice against tyranny. We stood with Egyptians while they transformed tahrir (Liberation) sq. into a true solid meaning of Liberation, Egypt uprising was slightly different because we are tracking them non-stop, we didn’t sleep and we were very attached to them perhaps because Egypt is very linked to Palestine –Especially Gaza- and we felt like we are 1 with our fellow Egyptians. We stood with Libyans against the violent lunacy of Gaddafi. We stood with the brave souls of Bahrain while they revolted. We stood with Yemenis while they hit the streets for freedom. We stood with Syrians while they demanded some changes. We stood with Jordanians while they gathered to ask for reforms.

I get angry when I read or watch news claiming that Arab revolts are paid for, driven, controlled, directed, maneuvered, blah blah blah! You cant control a whole population and drive them to endager their lives for freedom. The sole of their uprisings is standing against tyranny so quit the biased BS.

We stood united to demand the end of our Palestinian shameful division, thousands of Gazans hit the street in parallel with Palestinians in the West Bank who revolted for the same demand. We both faced local Oppression by Hamas supports and the PA supporters in Ramallah but we tried to hang on. In Gaza, March 15 brave souls decided to stop after numerous attempts failed and ended with detention and violence. While some Palestinians in the west Bank are still on a hunger strike demanding the end of the division, George Hale (4m Maan News Network English Edition) wrote an article describing their situation today and the PA unjust and illegal orders of detention to some of them, read article here:

http://beth.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=378063

We also keep tracking the world and the changes that happen: Obama’s fake affection towards Libyan civilians demanding a no-fly zone to protect the pricy oil fields in Libya, Japan’s ongoing crisis and the recent shameful acts by France when they banned Niqab+Burqa to show a real face of racism against Islam.

That’s why Gazans become political experts and analysts at such young age because every minute of their lives include either local, national or global politics.

I would like to send a message to Obama: You are such a fake façade, you launched a campaign for change yet Americans saw no change and we saw nothing. You rushed to deplore the Israeli school bus incident yet you never cared enough to deplore any of Israelis brutal massacres against the children of Gaza. You Appeared on TV acting like the mother Teresa saying you cant stand civilians being killed in Libya and ordered an immediate no-fly zone on Libya when the real reason behind it was to protect the oil fields just like the war on Iraq to steal everything therewith false allegations on non-existing weapons of mass destruction. WE DEMAND A NO-FLY ZONE OVER GAZA, GATHER A WESTERN COALITION AND COME BOMB HELL OUT OF ISRAEL OR JUST SHUT UP AND DON’T SPEW CRAP.

Gazans are excited to hear that The European Campaign to End the Sige on Gaza didnt give up on us and decided to send a second freedom flotilla towards Gaza despite the sad events that occurred on Mavi Marmara on the May of 2010. Israel attacked the Humanitarian and civilian activists on baord killing 9 and injuring many others. We are just praying we wont witness similar events to those devastating ones that happened last year and that they actually make it to Gaza safe and sound this time.

Also recently been hearing endless speculations about a second+near brutal Israeli attack on Gaza similar to 2008-2009 bloody assaults that left 1600 martyr and thousands of injured. Well we don’t care, we can survive everything and we already have allot on our plate to deal with.

The top 3 topics discussed on daily basis in Gaza:

1- Palestinian shameful division & the reconciliation between Green and Yellow Ooops I mean Hamas and Fatah Oops again I mean Gaza and the West Bank.

2- True=Cease fire between Israel and Hamas (I want to say Palestinian resistance in Gaza but usually Hamas takes the shots), endless cease fires and they always are violated by Israel.

3- Israeli continuous attacks on Gaza.

We used to talk about Gaza’s siege long ago but not anymore, we are very used to it by now.

I just want to say that my only connection to the outer world is my Pro-Palestinian friends who are scattered across the globe. Facebook and twitter are my only venues to stay intouch with them and keep them updated about Gaza’s events (mainly bad, rarely good).

When you live in Gaza: You learn not to make futuristic plans because you cant guarantee you might make it till tomorrow, or plan any futuristic traveling intentions because passing Rafah is like passing the Bar-Lev line. Bottom line: while living in Gaza you learn to live day-by-day without any plans.

Long Live Gaza, Long Live Palestine, Long live the Arab nation (not governments, Arab gov.s are disappointing, they never took action against Israeli continuous assaults on Gaza, they thought its enough to deplore them, yet Saudi army rushed to oppress Bahraini protesters), Long Live all pro-Palestinian people+nations+countries, long Live Peace+love+tolerance and Long Live Revolution.

Twitter: @Omar_Gaza

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pureblue1987

Take care every1,

Omar 4m Gaza with love.

3 days of continuous Israeli brutal assaults

2011-04-09T14:13:00.001+02:00

19 dead, 60 injured, 12 in critical state

Gaza, April 9, Israeli continues their brutal assaults in Gaza giving us a vivid taste of Gaza war 2008-2009. Three days of constant bombing, shelling & targeting with missiles on numerous locations in Gaza.

Last night Israeli shells fell on a populated area near shuhada cemetery and hitteen school, it was a real massacre, many reported injuries and 2 martyrs fell from which one of them is a child named Wael Al Jaru which arrived the hospital in pieces, as for the second martyr he remained unidentified because he arrived to the hospital a body with no head.

Israeli missiles also targeted 2 civilian cars, populated areas like Shawwa sq., populated street behind an UNRWA school, heavy shelling on Al zaytoon area, raids on Shyja’eya and also Jabaliya.

Today morning, Ahmed Al Zaytoona, 30, fell as a martyr, he belongs to Al Qassam Brigades, armed-wing of Hamas movement.

Total account of martyrs is 19 in 3 days from which some of them are children, 60 got injured from which 12 are critical, among the injured are women; children, medics and old men.

Basem Na’eem, Minister of health, held a press conference today saying that Gaza is heading into a human catastrophe if the Israeli brutal attacks continue.

Israeli attacks and explosions are happening till now, warplanes of all kinds are still raping Gaza sky.

I will post a report with the names of all martyrs and more info on the injured once this inhuman Israeli assaults end.

To be continued….

Israel shells Gaza for 2nd consecutive day

2011-04-08T18:21:00.000+02:00

More Gazans dead and injured

Gaza, April 8, Israel continues using full force on Gaza for the second consecutive day. Israel again using warplanes, tanks and warships against civilians in Gaza.

They targeted allot of areas in Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Gaza leaving nowhere. No place was safe in Gaza and no one was safe. Most of these areas are residential.

Israel is still shelling till this second and Palestinian resistance in Gaza are trying to respond back which indicates to a probable war in the horizon. Medics declared an emergency state and called in all doctors and nurses to be present as Gaza passes through hard time.

First martyr was Talal abu Tah 55 years old who was targeted while heading to the mosque to pray, then Najah and Nidal qudaih, 45 and 21, both were killed while preparing lunch when an Israeli shell fell on their heads, another three martyrs fell: Abdullah al Qara, 20, and Motaz Abu Jame’, 20, both died in a drone shelling in Khan Younis.

Two more martyrs fell: Raed Shehata from Al Qassam brigades, 27, and Ahmed Ghurab who was with him, he first was heavily injured then passed away minutes later.

Two more martyrs fell while I was writing this report, they fell when Israel tanks started shelling a residential area near Hitteen school and shuhada cemetery in Gaza. Ten were also injured from which 5 are children.

Ofcourse Israeli shelling is continuous targeting many different areas and it seems like it will continue for tonight atleast if not for the upcoming days, maybe an Israeli war would be waged.

To be continued….

6 dead, 40 injured during continuous Israeli assault on Gaza

2011-04-08T02:04:00.000+02:00

Gaza gets a reminder of 2008-2009 war

Israeli warplanes, warships and tanks continued their vicious and continuous assault on Gaza.

They targeted medics, 2 were injured while rushing to one of the targeted places by Israeli shelling using an ambulance. More residential areas and houses were also targeted.

Medics reported that 6 were dead in Gaza while 40 others got injured, from which many are women and children. Some of the injured were in a critical state while some others suffered from a life long disability due to heavy and direct shelling.

Israeli tanks approached from western and northern areas into Gaza, they shelled and targeted homes then opened sporadic fire before leaving.

Palestinian resistance declared cease-fire that starts at 11 pm Gaza time but it was one-sided, Israel didn’t oblige instead they responded by continuous shelling and air raids.

They re-raided the border line between Gaza and Egypt. Egyptian local news sources reported that a shell fell on a land inside Egyptian Rafah but with no reported injuries.

All dead and injured in Gaza were civilians.

Huge power outages took place in Khan Younis and Rafah after Israel’s heavy shelling on Gaza, many power lines and converters were damaged.

Explosions, sporadic fire and Israeli warplanes were heard till 3 am of April the 8th.

It looks like the upcoming days will bring more assaults and attacks.

So to be continued….

Israel carried out mass shelling on Gaza

2011-04-07T18:07:00.000+02:00

Israel assaults Gaza again

Gaza, April 7, Israel carried out mass shelling on Gaza using full force and all war tools.

Israel used warplanes (F16s, Apaches and drones), warships and tanks to bomb Gaza non-stop for consecutive 3 hours targeting most of Gaza. Israel shells fell on residential areas targeting houses belonging to Qudaih, Al Manasra and Hellis families.

Israel also used full force to raid Rafah, Gaza intl, airport, Khan younis, Zaytoon neighborhood, Deir Al Balah, Jabalya, Shujae’ya, Qarara and several others places.

Adham Abu Salmeyah, Health Ministry official, One Gazan died, Mahmoud Al Manasra, 50, and over 25 got injured till now. A guy also reached the hospital aleady amputated after being directly hit by an Israeli shell, 2 farmers were also injured when a shell fell on their farm.

Israeli forces targeted most of Southern Northern and Eastern Gaza.

Palestinian resistance fired earlier a mortar that fell on a bus in Nahal Oz injuring a number of Israelis, they continued responding back to Israel’s vicious attack by firing some Grad rockets and mortars.

Israeli shells fell on residential homes, a hospital, farmed lands, a factory, an ambulance, power generator in Khan Younis causing power outages and Al Rayes Mountain.

Israel has been targeting Gaza for the past two days with over night air raids but with no reported injuries.

Israel’s shelling on Gaza continues while the Palestinian resistance also trying to continue responding.

Mohamed Al Madhoon, a journalist, also got injured during Israel’s mass shelling on Gaza and his situation is critical.

To be continued ……

Palestinian..... I was born

2011-04-01T16:09:00.000+02:00

Palestinian ..... I was born

Ongoing Israeli air raids on Gaza for days now

2011-03-24T21:35:00.000+02:00

Gaza undert continuous Israeli attack

Gaza, March 24 Thursday, In Gaza City, Israeli F16 warplanes bombed an intelligence headquarter named "the ship", using at least five missiles, also raided the al-Rayes mountain with one missile and a room that belongs to “Gaza” sporting club, also “Badr” security HQ belonging to the Qassam Brigades, Hamas militant wing, with three missiles.

According to witnesses in the northern Gaza Strip, the shelling caused enormous material damage in the homes of civilian citizens in Maqqousi residential buildings which are located near the “Badr” security HQ, which was bombed with two missiles by Israeli warplanes.

According to Adham Abu Salmeyah, Health ministry official, one citizen got injured by shrapnel in the face, he is 10 years old and his name is Raid Afifi. More injuries reported to have reached Al Shefa hospital for treatment.

The loud bombing triggered a massive panic that hit women and children.

In northern Gaza, Israeli artillery pounded the lands of the citizens with two rockets without reported injuries or damage.

The Israeli artillery also bombed earlier the vicinity of the “Karni” crossing east of Gaza City with two rockets.

The missile landed in an empty agricultural area without causing casualties among the citizens. The Israeli Air Force launched today two separate raids on northern Gaza and central Gaza City, wounding three civilians till now.

To be Continued ……

Israel raids Gaza over night by air (Again)

2011-03-24T02:47:00.000+02:00

Gaza gets bombed by air at night

Gaza, March 24 Thursday, Israeli warplanes carried out an over-night air raid across Gaza.

The Israeli warplanes launched a missile on a tunnel, east of Salah al-Din gate in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip.

The Israeli warplanes targeted with four missiles "Bader" security HQ that belongs to Hamas located in the area of “Netsarim” former settlement, south of Gaza City.

The heavy shelling caused the sound of huge explosions and hit high-voltage power lines causing power outages across entire neighborhoods in southern part of Gaza City.The high-voltage power lines sparked a fire that quickly starting spreading before the firefighters came and put it out.

This came only minutes after Netanyahu declared that he gave the green light for his military to hit targets in Gaza by air.

Adham Abu Salmeyah, health ministry official, said that no casualties were reported but a huge number of children were terrorized because of the heavy shelling and power outages.

Israel committs 2nd masacre same day in Gaza, 4 dead

2011-03-22T23:01:00.000+02:00

3rd bombing, 2nd massacre in the same day in Gaza

Israel is thristy for blood

Gaza, March 22, Four men died and a fifth was wounded when the Israeli occupation forces shelled a civilian car near “Tunisia school” in Al Zaytoun district, east of Gaza City on Tuesday evening.

Medics spokesman, Adham Abu Salmeyah, reported that the wounded were injured by shrapnel in the lower limbs, while witnesses said that the martyrs arrived to “Shefa Hospital” in shredded pieces.

The martyrs are resistance fighters from Al-Quds Brigades, military wing of Islamic Jihad, and they are: Sa’di Helles, and Adham al Harazin, Mohamed Attia al Harazin, and Mohammad Abed.

Bringing the record of martyrs to 8 in one day and it looks like they are not done.

Spokesman of the Israeli army claimed that their troops shelled a location where Palestinian militants were present in, located in Al Zaytoun neighborhood, and who have fired rockets toward Israeli towns, as he claims.

The Israeli army raised the degree of preparedness in the wake of information about the intention of some factions of the resistance to carry out operations and attacks against the Israeli occupation army.

PHOTOS CREDIT: SAFA NEWS AGENCY

PHOTO: Showing the previous martyrs from which 3 of them are children

Israeli tanks shells a house east of Gaza, 4 died

2011-03-22T18:02:00.000+02:00

Israel seeks more blood

Gaza, March 22, Israeli artillery shelled a residential area east of Gaza City on Tuesday evening, which led to the death of an elderly man, a boy and two children, in addition to the wounding of 10 others, including four children.

Witnesses reported that four artillery shells fell on the door of a house belonging to Faeq Al Hilo near al-Rahman and Qura’n mosque located at the Al Shuja’eya neighborhood east of Gaza.

They said the children were playing at the door of the house when it was targeted by the bombing.

Local sources said that the martyrs were: Yasser Hamed Al Hilo (50 years) and Mohammad Jihad Al Hilo (11 years) and Yasser Ahed Al Hilo (16 years), and Mohamed Saber Harara (20 years).

Medical sources are not yet sure about the precise number of the martyrs that fell as a result of that unjust vicious shelling on civilians and residential homes.

Israel bombs Gaza in an over-night air raid (as usual)

2011-03-22T02:56:00.000+02:00

Gaza heading towards a new war?

Gaza, March 22, Israeli warplanes (F16s) launched a vast air raid on different targets in the Gaza Strip which led to the injury of 19 civilians. Medics spokesman, Adham Abu Salmeyah, reported that all of them were minor injuries, adding that among those who got injured were7 children and two women.

He added that 10 injuries reached “Shefa” hospital in Gaza City, while 9 other injuries arrived at the Kamal Odwan hospital. He also pointed out that "Hijazi" clinic, north of Gaza City, was heavily hit by one of the raids and got really damaged, pointing out that it’s the only clinic that provides health services for more than 10 thousand in the north-west area.

IOF spokesman claimed that the Israeli army launched its attacks last night on several targets in the Gaza Strip in response to the rockets launched by the resistance forces in Gaza, which fell recently on the sites and surrounding towns near Gaza.

He claimed in a statement published by the website of "Yediot Ahronot" Hebrew newspaper, that the raids targeted two tunnels of the resistance, and two sites for manufacturing explosives and one weapons storage, the same lame excuse that they always use to raid Gaza as if they need a reason to bomb us.

A series of air raids by Israeli "F-16" warplanes bombed the site of the Palestinian police that belongs to the De-Facto government in Gaza in the area of "Al Twam" north-west of Gaza City, but it was empty at the time of bombing. They also bombed a plastics factory east of Gaza City, wounding three civilians, including two children sustained minor injuries.

In addition, they also bombed a metal workshop in Gaza City, causing severe damage, Israeli warplanes also targeted with two missiles a location near the residential buildings of “Maqqousi”, west of Gaza City.

Israeli armed drones fired a missile on a free land east of Khan Younis, but it did not explode, so after about three minutes they fired another missile on the same location which led to a huge explosion. They also fired more missiles on other empty lands in Khan Younis.

The Apache armed helicopter targeted early yesterday an auto repair shop east of Gaza City, causing a huge material damage in it.

Gaza’s sky has recently experienced a heavy presence of Israeli different aircrafts and warplanes, Gaza also has been regularly bombed recently. Also an extensive militant activity was witnessed by Israeli tanks near Gaza’s borders, with sporadic shooting every now and then.

What awaits Gaza? A new war? Or only daily militant operations? I guess only time will tell.

From Great happiness to major disappoint

2011-03-15T23:39:00.000+02:00

Gaza revolts day2

Today was epic, protesters gathered at al katibah and created a human chain and then moved to al jundi l majhool square and everything was fine till Hamas supporters showed up.

They wanted to take over by gathering at al jundi al majhool square holding Hamas flags, protesters resented that and tried to let them understand that #March15 movement is purely youth without any political background or political preference.

Light clashes occured between both groups, they exchanged throwing rocks at each other and some verbal profanities till the youth decided to leave al jundi sqaure and head back to al katibah because they arent looking for trouble.

The atmosphere was buzzing and amazing there, many youth joined and many were coming every minute. Every one chanting, dancing and singing. The weather was awesome.

I left to upload the pics and video I took because I lost my connection at al katiba, minutes later i heard that Hamas was warning everybody to leave alkatibah before 5 pm so as to not to risk epmtying al katibah by force.

People ignored the warning and started flowing to al katibah and planned a sit-in and a sleep-in.

at 7 pm something weird was happening, I started hearing sirens then gunshots then people screaming and running in all directions. (I live near al katibah)

Things got ugly and Hamas ended up emptying al katibah by force, many protesters were injured.

Tomorrow is mysterious, we dont know yet what will happen. Will people go to the streets again to protest? or take a rest?

Only tomorrow will answer these questions.

Youtube vid before the attacks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wVcdnVXD7s

Who knows what will tomorrow bring.

Take care,

Omar 4m Gaza

Day 1 of Gaza's revolt

2011-03-15T03:01:00.000+02:00

Day1: we wanna be heard

Gazan youth decided to make history a day earlier by starting the protests and revolting from today.

They headed to Al jundi al majhool sq. (Unknown Soldier sq.) here in Gaza and decided to have their voices heard. Patriotic songs were filling the place on huge speakers. Gazan youth were dancing and singing along then chanting " No No to division" and "The people want the division to end".

Since it was the 1st day and it came as a sudden decision it was a bit chaotic which is normal. It has it good sides and bad sides but you cant judge since its day 1.

Gazan youth asked Gaza's municipality to provide the sqaure with lighting since it became so dark at night.

Rumors started spreading about fighting, harassments and robberies but 90% of them were untrue and exagerrated.

Youth were in high spirits chanting, dancing and waving the Palestinian flag demanding the end of the Palestinian divsion now.

I saw people from all ages and all walks of life there, I saw dads and granddads with their children and grandchildren, also saw mothers, young women, young guys, little boys and journalists were all over the place taking pictures and videos.

The number reached 1000 participant and many planned for a sleep-in at the square.

Hamas is planning on joining the protests tomorrow by sending a huge number of Hamas-supporters.

Gazan youth insist on the fact that the protests are non-political.

Participants expect yet more people to come tomorrow and they also count on having a huge impact.

I will do my best to be there tomorrow and share new pics. Till then enjoy the pics I posted above and a youtube video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cah0mDGWzw

Keep praying for Gaza.

Keep watching this space:

Twitter: @Omar_Gaza

Facebook: Omar Ghraieb

Take care,

Omar 4m Gaza

The protests actually started today

2011-03-14T14:51:00.001+02:00

The protests started today so I am going there see you everbody

Tomorrow: Gaza has a date with history, will you be there?

2011-03-14T13:58:00.000+02:00

Our time has come

Finally, March 15th is tomorrow and we cant be more excited, enthusiastic and glad because we will be making history tomorrow.

The Palestinian division has to come to an end and tomorrow is the date. I have heard so many mixed reactions on my decision to join the protests tomorrow and mainly everybody expected it to get ugly and get violent. But I was out last night and I saw the policemen actually helping youth while they were distributing the fliers asking everybody to join the protests tomorrow. I also learned now that Ismael Haniyah, PM of Gaza's De Facto government just asked Gaza's ministry of interior to actually let the youth protest and give them all the freedom they want because he personally supports the Gazan youth and thei demands of ending the Palestinian divsion.

I just hope that Fatah adopts the same encouraging postion as Hamas here in Gaza and leave the protesters in Ramallah to protest without any violence, I am not sure if IOF would actually step in to oppress them too. I just wish them and us safety and success.

Today is a huge day, I am getting ready for tomorrow. I need to bring a new Kuffeyeh for this important event :D and also bring a huge Palestinian flag to use it tomorrow.

I also need to get familiar with twitter on mobile so I can stay intouch with you all and send you the updates second by second and hopefully pictures too.

I wont deny that I was a bit worried of Hamas's reaction on tomorrow's protests but after seeing the policemen last night and P.M. Haniyah's statements this morning I am much more relaxed about it now.

You all better be watching this space and tracking my twitter and facebook accounts and be supporting all of us here :D Follow me here:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pureblue1987

http://www.twitter.com/Omar_Gaza

Ill do my best to keep tweeting the updates and hopefully share some pics too.

I will be praying god tonight to grant us success and safety Inshallah

Inshallah 2011 will be the year of Palestine where we end the division then end the occupation.

Will be mostly on twitter tomorrow on: Omar_Gaza then hopefully I would have the time to update my blog and facebook.

Sending you all outthere our love and gratitude.

Omar 4m Gaza

March 15th: awaited date for a revolution directed by youth (ONLY)

2011-03-11T12:59:00.000+02:00

A revolution in the making

Gazan youth are excited to be following the foot steps of their fellow arabs who started a successful revolution inspired by the Palestinian Intifada in the 1st place which was considered as a new way of revolting. Intifada even made it to the dictionaries.

Gazan youth chose March 15th to be the historical date for a huge mobilized march that demands the end of the Palestinian division. This march is organized and directed by Youth and Youth ONLY. Its not directed or driven by any Palestinian political party in the background or behind the scenes. The march came as the Palestinian Youth's reaction to their frustration and anger of the Palestinian division and its about time this division came to an end.

Seeing the Tunisian revolution, then the Egyptian epic revolt, Libya after that, Bahrain followed and a number of other Arabic attempts ofcourse gave us more hop and motive drive to join the March 15th protests in Gaza.

Only 4 days to go and the count down started. We cant wait to make history.

I will be there ofcourse since the start and will stay there to witness the whole thing no matter what happens.

If you wanna stay updated you better be watching this space and tracking me @:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pureblue1987

Twitter: Omar_Gaza or http://www.twitter.com/Omar_Gaza

and ofcourse this blog.

Again I would like to emphasize on the fact that I dont belong to any Palestinian political party and that the march is just like me, its not driven by any Palestinian political party. Its purely youth who want a better life and want to gain the freedom of their country by ending the Palestinian division first then Ending the Israeli occupation.

Here is the Facebook link of the March 15th event: http://www.facebook.com/#!/StopInqisam

I am not one of the organizers but I will be definately one of the particpants Inshallah.

I will try to be tweeting non stop and also Facebooking about it in addition to posting pictures if everything went well Inshallah.

Our time has come, and now its our chance to do something about the division. We need to be united to kick Israel out.

We aim for a united Palestine, we hope our voices will be heard.