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Hundreds gathered in Gaza City on Thursday night to mark the 1,000th day of siege on the coastal enclave, lighting candles representing the thousands dead since the Israeli-led blockade began in 2007. The Popular Committee Against the Siege organized the vigil, encouraging those who lost loved ones to carry their photos in the streets as the rally took place in the Square of the Unknown Fighter. Others carried candles and banners calling for an end to the siege and a return to a life of dignity. Jamal Al-Khudari, the head of the popular committee, addressed those gathered. "We will never surrender," he said, stressing the strength of the people in the face of rights violations. He told men, women and children gathered in the square that it was their right to demand and end to the unjust blockade, even if it meant facing Israeli weapons. "On this day we mark a thousand days of siege and a thousand days of patience and determination," he said.
The former U.N. nuclear chief turned Egyptian reform advocate on Thursday strongly condemned the beating of one of his supporters, allegedly by State Security agents, adding that the tactic would not silence calls for change. Mohamed ElBaradei said in a statement received by The Associated Press from his group that the beating is a blatant violation of all laws and called for bringing the perpetrators to justice. Taha Abdel-Tawab, a 36-year old physiotherapist, attempted to organize a rally last week in support of ElBaradei in the oasis province of Fayoum. The gathering was stopped by security and he was detained, interrogated and beaten, according to his lawyer. "I condemn in the strongest words the barbaric assault this innocent citizen has been subjected to," ElBaradei said in a statement from South Korea, where he is visiting. "These actions will not under any condition scare, terrorize or silence our people." "Such uncivilized methods are a blatant violation of all laws and customs and the perpetrators should be held accountable before local and international courts," his statement added.
Fourteen years on, Shaikh Mansour Leghaei is still being denied the basic human right to natural justice. Since 1996, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) has labeled him as a threat to national security, but to date, it has failed – in fact, refused – to provide the slightest bit of evidence to support this claim. ASIO insists he is an Iranian 'operative' and has knowledge of a French terrorist organisation by the name of Ahlul Bait. Based on such entirely groundless allegations, Shaikh Leghaei's final application to remain in Australia has now been rejected, his bridging visa cancelled, and he has been given 28 days to leave the country. "The courts said that since I can't be briefed about the allegations against me, I can't defend myself, and if I can't defend myself, there was no point in wasting the time of the court," Shaikh said. The accused is charged with allegations but is not told why. He will consequently have no basis to defend himself, and therefore the hearing is dismissed.
Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with the Minister of Culture and the cultural attaches of the Islamic Republic. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence said that presenting a true image of the Islamic Republic and the achievements are among the major duties of the Islamic Republic's cultural attaches. Ayatollah Khamenei said that providing an appropriate definition of Islam is one of the prerequisites of presenting a true image of the Islamic Republic. He further reiterated that that the ill-wishers and the arrogant powers are trying to present an image of Islam which is reactionary or liberalist. "But pure Islam introduces deep, lofty, and clear concepts of humanity, God, the hereafter, and material as well as spiritual needs of humanity."
Iraq's top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has issued a Fatwa (religious ruling), declaring vote-buying as Haraam (forbidden) ahead of the country's parliament elections. Speaking on behalf of the Ayatollah, Sheikh Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalaei, called on candidates and political parties to respect election laws and avoid trying to influence voter decision through dishonest means. "Candidates and political entities must adopt a realistic and feasible program to encourage people to vote for them," Sheikh Abdel Mahdi al-Karbalai told worshippers during the Friday prayers sermon in Karbala's Imam Hussein mosque. The cleric also explicitly stated that distributing money, gifts and promises of future handouts to impact election results are an impermissible act based on all religious and ethical principles. Karbalai, who is a representative of the leading Shia spiritual leader, also noted that the religious leadership did not favor any particular group or candidate.
The death toll from the strongest earthquake to strike Chile in more than 50 years officially stands at 723 people, the public health arm of the United Nations in the region said on March 2 2010, as it assessed the health care needs of survivors. About 80 per cent of the South American country’s population was affected by the 8.8-magnitude quake, which occurred just off the coast of Chile in the early hours of February 27, according to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), quoted by the UN News Service. Following a preliminary assessment, the government has requested very specific priority items – including field hospitals with surgical facilities, dialysis centres, generators, satellite phones, structural damage evaluation systems, salt water purification systems, mobile bridges and field kitchens – which it expects to be supplied largely through bilateral arrangements.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing concern over Israel's international image, told Jerusalem's mayor on Tuesday to put on hold any demolition of Palestinian homes in a municipal tourism project. Palestinian officials said the project was another attempt by Israel to cement its claim to all of Jerusalem which is seen as the captal of future Palestine state. Mayor Nir Barkat wanted to demolish dozens of Palestinian homes in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan, reshaping parts of it into "parkland" and "hotel" and business areas, media reports said. A statement issued by the prime minister's office said Netanyahu told Barkat he was concerned "parties interested in sowing discord" would present to the world a "distorted picture" of the "King's Garden" plan.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said Saturday the Palestinians are the most resilient people in history who will "definitely and undoubtedly" see the freedom of their land. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei described the Palestinian resistance as an amazing phenomenon, which is driving Israel toward "defeat and annihilation." Resistance is what has united different Palestinian movements as well as having faith in God, he said. "And the supporters of the Zionist regime (Israel) will find nothing but shame and historic notoriety," the Leader said. He expressed deep gratitude to the Palestinian nation and said, "Bearing the atrocities and endless pressures in Gaza and throughout Palestine is impossible without the guidance and assistance of God and the Palestinian nation truly deserves to be named as the most resilient nation in history."
Israel’s illegal occupation and continued expropriation of Palestinian land in the West Bank has left 2.5 million Palestinians living there with effectively less than 40 percent of the territory. Following the Oslo Accords in 1993 the West Bank was divided into Areas A, B and C. Area A falls under Palestinian control, Area B under joint Israeli and Palestinian control and Area C is controlled by the Israeli Civil Administration (ICA). Idna is one of hundreds of Palestinian villages and towns which falls within Area C. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released a report last year called, "Restricting Space: The Planning Regime Applied by Israel in Area C of the West Bank." According to the report Palestinian farming and construction is effectively prohibited in 70 percent of Area C, or approximately 44 percent of the West Bank, which is reserved mainly for the benefit of Israeli settlements.
