In The Dark

Children in Gaza forced into darkness

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Nader K.

 

Writing in the dark has always had this great effect on writing. Looking into it and after all these years I find myself adapting very well to it learning new ways to make the most out of it. Thinking about it, having a power cut, say, for eight hours isn’t a great thing honestly because eight hours is way too much for anyone to endure yet one always manages to make the most out of the power cut. It’s true that not everything can be done during a power cut but when learning how to make the most of it, however, shapes and reforms you to the person that can absolutely seize every second that passes like that.

Regardless to the fact that I have written many posts in the bathroom -during a power cut of course- has been a collection of the best moments in the past year. I know some of you might have tried that -at least writing or doing something productive in the bathroom- has reflected a great outcome regardless of how and why. I am not saying that writing in the bathroom during a power cut is the best thing that can ever happen to a writer or a writer-to-be but to me, writing in the dark -regardless of where- is when I could see my words glow.

I know you would be laughing at me for writing about such a thing but as you already know, I don’t just write for the sake of writing or because I am too bored and I have nothing else to do so I just open a blank page and start writing without thinking or regardless of what and why I write. I write for a reason. I have always had, and always will. It’s a promise I have made to myself.

Spending some time alone in the dark leaving you with nothing to do but start at the wall, the ceiling or the floor, or maybe some object on your desk or somewhere else gives you a great chance to think. Not having Internet or TV -and no 3G on your phone- truly disconnects you from the world lying behind the walls or the screen. Not thinking about what’s lying there makes you think of what’s on hands.

Light a candle and make a cup of coffee and go through the photos you have. Remember the good old days with loved ones, great people you spent years with who had to move to a different country far away from where you are or people who once had a great share of your life but now reside in a better place. In heaven.

If you are not into that, or doing that might bring you to tears, which is actually good for both your eyes and heart, go through old text messages between you and a good friend of yours, someone you wholeheartedly miss or someone whose shadow is what remains in your life and read all the texts from the very beginning. This could either bring you to tears or draw a bright smile from ear to ear leaving a space for your teeth to shine brightly reflecting the light the candle makes. Remember the good times you once had with this person. Think of all what you and they have done to one another and how good life was once. Or just think of what is written here and there and smile, frown, or cry.

If you are not into either, just grab a book and start reading. During a power cut, everything is calm and the whole universe around you is just silent. Hearing the candle melting down slowly, the sound of the candle fire, your calm breaths, your stomach growling telling you it’s time to eat since you haven’t eaten anything for hours or even the sound of your finger running on each and every paper keeping your eyes on track as you read. You can hear your own voice, or imagine hearing someone else’s voice narrating to you, adding your own sound effects that you and you alone can hear as you imagine yourself seeing all what’s happening. Like if reading these words is actually a spell being casted leaving the effect of their magic change what you see in your mind. Doing things will greatly improve your reading experience and you will reach a point where you anticipate the power cut to enjoy another read of the book.

On the other hand, spending the time all alone in the dark can dramatically affect your behavior. In darkness, sadness and depression lie. In darkness they grow and silently crawl into your heart making you the depressed and sad person you have never been. Living like this can be a killer. It can kill your hope and happiness and leave you with not a single good feeling. If you ever feel like that, try doing anything of what I have mentioned previously. If all fails, seek good company and you’ll find joy and happiness but make sure you pick good company. Someone you at least trust enough to let your depression and sadness out for in case you wanted to talk about it and let it off your chest.

Nader K.

 http://www.sigaza.com/?p=811

PCHR Weekly Report: 4 civilians wounded, 29 abducted by Israeli forces this week

Tear gas fired at non-violent demonstrators in Nabi Saleh village

by Saed Bannoura

 In its Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the week of 05- 11 January 2012, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) found that a Palestinian woman was wounded by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, and 3 civilians were wounded in the West Bank.

In addition, Israeli forces abducted 29 Palestinian civilians, including four fishermen, a woman, two children and a university professor.

Israeli attacks in the West Bank:

Israeli forces conducted 68 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West this week, during which they abducted 20 Palestinians. In addition, Israeli soldiers abducted 6 Palestinian civilians, including two children, at various checkpoints in the West Bank.

On 05 January 2012, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Eizariya village, east of occupied Jerusalem. They demolished a 100-square-meter workshop of stone cutting belonging to Sameer Mohammed Taqatqa. They destroyed stones whose value is 30,000 ILS, and confiscated stones whose value is 95,000 ILS. Israeli forces demolished also a 30-square-meter workshop of stone cutting belonging to Mohammed ‘Ayad. They destroyed stones whose value is 15,000 ILS. Additionally, Israeli forces demolished a 200-square-meter shop of junks belonging to Majed Abu Ghalia, a 30-square-meter fence and parking yard belonging to Ibrahim Abu Dhaim.

On 05 January 2012, Israeli forces moved into al-Qassab area in the south of al-Dyouk village, northwest of Jericho. They demolished 3 winter houses belonging to Palestinians from Jerusalem claiming that they were built without licenses. They also handed notices of demolition of houses to a number of Palestinian civilians. They also informed of their intention to destroy a number of electricity towers and an electric transmitter.

On 10 January 2012, Israeli forces razed large areas of Palestinian land in the southeastern part of al-‘Eissawiya village in occupied East Jerusalem, to establish a biblical garden. According to local sources, Israeli forces confiscated hundreds of dunums[1] of land in al-‘Eissawiya and al-Tour villages to establish a biblical garden. By the establishment of the garden, al-‘Eissawiya village would be completely isolated by Israeli settlements.

Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip:

Israeli forces have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces abducted 4 fishermen and confiscated their boat.

Israeli forces have continued to impose total ban on the delivery of raw materials to the Gaza Strip, except for very limited items and quantities. The limited quantities of raw materials allowed into Gaza do not meet the minimal needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

The cooking gas crisis which has erupted over a year ago has continued to affect the Gaza Strip. This crisis was created when the Israeli occupation authorities totally closed, on 04 January 2010, Nahal Oz crossing, which used to be dedicated for the delivery of fuel and cooking gas supplies to Gaza, and shifted fuel and cooking gas supplies to Karm Abu Salem crossing which is not technically equipped to receive Gaza's needs of fuel. Karm Abu Salem crossing, with its maximum absorptive capacity, can receive only 200 tons of cooking gas per day.

Approximately 80% of Gaza civilians have continued to depend on alimentary aid provided by UNRWA and other relief agencies, rates of families who are living below poverty line have continued to be on the rise and approximately 40% of Gaza's manpower has continued to suffer from permanent unemployment as a result of shutting down the majority of Gaza's economic establishments.

Israeli forces have continued to impose a total ban on the exportation of Gaza's products, especially industrial products, leading to undermining any real chances to rebuild the economy of Gaza. The situation has been aggravated especially after the Israeli government made Karm Abu Salem crossing Gaza sole commercial crossing and the repeated closure of this crossing which negatively affected the quantity of Gazan products which were allowed to be exported during last April.

Israeli settlement activities:

Israeli forces have continued settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.

On 11 January 2012, a number of Israeli settlers burnt 3 cars in Deir Estia village, northwest of Salfit. The cars belong to Palestinian civilians living in the village. The settlers also wrote hostile words on the walls of Imam Ali Mosque near the burnt mosques, such as “paying the price, lion group and Joseph’s sons.” A number of eyewitnesses reported that saw a car with an Israeli registration plate leaving the village after the attack.

Israeli Annexation Wall:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in protest to the construction of the Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank, and in protest of the establishment of a buffer zone in the Gaza Strip. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded. Additionally, dozens of Palestinian civilians and human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Following the Friday Prayer on 06 January 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders, including Louisa Morgantini, former Speaker of the European Parliament, organized a peaceful demonstration in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah, in protest to the construction of the annexation wall and support for efforts to achieve national reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah movements. They raised the Palestinian flag and called for ending political division. They then moved towards areas of Palestinian land, which the Israeli High Court ordered to be returned to their Palestinian owners. Israeli soldiers stationed in the area fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded by rubber-coated steel bullets. Additionally, a number of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday prayer on 06 January 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and Israeli and international human rights defenders gathered in the center of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah, to start the weekly peaceful protest against the construction of the annexation wall and settlement activities. The protesters walked towards the gate erected by Israeli forces near the entrance of the village and leading to Palestinian lands that Israeli settlers from the nearby "Halmish" settlement are trying to seize. Israeli soldiers who had been extensively deployed in the area and near all the entrances of the village since the morning, began to confront the protesters who wanted to walk towards the affected lands. Israeli soldiers fired live and rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protesters. A result, dozens of civilians suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Also following the Friday Prayer on 06 January 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in Ne'lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest against the construction of the annexation wall. They clashed with Israeli troops positioned near the annexation wall. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. As a result, a number of demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation.

On Saturday noon, 07 January 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, in protest to planned expansion of “Karmi Tsur” settlement. They moved towards agricultural land close to the settlement. Immediately, Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs at them. As a result, a number of demonstrators sustained bruises or suffered from tear gas inhalation.

At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 10 January 2012, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders gathered in the center of Jericho to organize a peaceful car march calling for ensuring the right to freedom of movement. The car march moved towards Ramallah through a road designed for the use of Israeli settlers only. Israeli forces closed the southern entrance of the town to prevent the march from moving forward. They also abducted 5 participants, including a 62-year old man and a 19-year old woman.

Recommendations to the international community:

Due to the number and severity of Israeli human rights violations this week, the PCHR made several recommendations to the international community. Among these were a recommendation that international human rights organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs continue their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel's respect for human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

The PCHR also calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international organizations to the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

For the full text of the report, click on the link below:

palestine | human rights | news report saed at imemc dot org

Related Link(s): http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?option=com_...1:new

Army To Demolish A Mosque Near Hebron

by Saed Bannoura

 Israeli soldiers handed a military order on Thursday afternoon aimed at the destruction of a mosque in Al-Mafqara area, south east of Yatta town, near the West Bank city of Hebron.

 Local sources reported that the order states that the mosque will be demolished within three days.

The sources added that an argument took place with the officer who handed the order, and the soldiers hurled a gas bomb at the residents to force them away from the mosque.

The mosque was demolished approximately two months ago, and the residents rebuilt it, now Israel wants to demolish it again under the pretext of it being built without a permit

 http://www.imemc.org/article/62827

IOF soldiers round up 17 Palestinians

Palestinians detained and humiliated by terrorist IOF

JENIN, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) escalated their daily arrest campaigns in lines of Palestinian citizens in the West Bank and rounded up 17 citizens at dawn Thursday.

Local sources in a number of West Bank cities said that IOF troops stormed those provinces and detained eight in Nablus, five in Jordan Valley, three in Ramallah, and one in Al-Khalil.

Eyewitnesses in the Jordan Valley told the PIC reporter that IOF infantry patrols stormed the Fara’a refugee camp and rounded up five young men.

They said that the soldiers burst into many homes and vulgarly searched them after forcing out their inhabitants into the open, cold weather and installed roadblocks at the entrance to the camp and searched vehicles.

Locals in Jenin province said that IOF soldiers roamed the streets of Jenin refugee camp and Qabatia village, east of Jenin, and fired into the air.

 http://www.palestine-info.co.uk

Israeli settlers run over two Palestinian schoolgirls

AL-KHALIL, (PIC)-- Two Israeli women ran over two Palestinian schoolgirls in each of Al-Khalil and Nablus in separate incidents on Thursday morning, medical sources said.

An Israeli settler ran over the crippled child Hiba Hijazi in Al-Khalil and sped away, head of the surgery at the Red Crescent’s emergency ward Nasser Qabaja said.

He said that Hijazi’s foot was broken in the incident that hit her wheelchair when she was on her way to school near the Ibrahimi mosque.

In Nablus, another 17-year-old child, Angham Al-Faqih, was hit in another accident in Nablus while on her way to school near Hawara village.

Ghassan Daghlas, monitoring settlement activity in northern West Bank, said that the schoolgirl suffered moderate injuries and was rushed to hospital.

 http://www.palestine-info.co.uk

PLO General Delegation to US Expresses Outrage at 2011 Rise in Settlements Construction

Illegal racist Jewish only settlement

WASHINGTON, January 12, 2012 (WAFA) - The General Delegation of the PLO to the US is appalled at the 20% increase in Israeli settlement construction during 2011, Thursday said a statement by PLO General Delegation to United States.

On January 10, 2012, the independent Israeli group Peace Now released a report detailing Israeli settlement activity in 2011. The report shows a 20% increase in settlement construction from last year. More disturbing was the finding that approval of settlement plans in East Jerusalem was the highest in a decade.

These alarming findings demonstrate that the Palestinian objections to resuming talks without a settlement freeze were genuine and well founded; they were not red herrings as pro-Israel apologists in the US claimed.

Moreover, of all other Israeli violations, settlement construction is especially objectionable because it permanently alters the contiguity, viability, sovereignty, and demographic integrity of a future Palestinian state.

The fact that this Israeli government chose to accelerate construction of illegal settlements to unprecedented levels provides ample evidence that their peace rhetoric is nothing more than a thin veil to their true intentions with regards to establishing a viable, fully sovereign Palestinian state. It is political deception at its core.

Peace Now’s report coincides with the continued Israeli refusal to submit, in writing, counter proposal to the Palestinian ideas presented in the presence of Quartet and Jordanian mediators recently in Amman, Jordan.

the statment said that the General Delegation of the PLO to the US urged the US administration and the international community to pressure Israel to comply with international law and conventions, and to honor its obligations under signed-agreements, especially its obligation for the total cessation of all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

Palestine News & Info Agency - WAFA

Medics: Toddler hit by settler car

HEBRON (Ma'an) -- A Palestinian toddler was injured Tuesday after she was hit by a car driven by an Israeli settler east of Hebron, medics said.

Three-year-old Sarah Jabari was taken to the Ahli Hospital in Hebron, Red Crescent medic Nasser Qabajeh told Ma'an.

She was hit on a road near Kiryat Arba settlement, he added.