The Palestinian Authority demands international investigation into the theft of the Palestinian organs

Middle East Monitor

December 21, 2009

The Palestinian Authority Minister of Health said that harvesting organs - such as corneas, bones and skin - from Palestinian martyrs, without the consent of their families, is a moral crime that contradicts to all international laws.

Minister Fathi Abu Mughli said, commenting on what was confirmed on Israeli television, that official Israeli bodies steal organs of Palestinian martyrs and implant them in the bodies of injured Israeli soldiers.

Abu Mughli said that the Israeli Ministry of Health's response to the Yehuda Hiss interview is unacceptable. In a 57-minute interview conducted with Yehuda Hiss, the head of Israel's forensic institute, Hiss spoke about how workers at the institute had harvested Israeli organs.

Dr. Abu Mughli emphasized that it is not allowed to take anything from the bodies of the dead without the written consent from their families, and in the presence of law representatives.

Abu Mughli described the response of Israeli hospitals - which commented on the case saying the subject is so old and there is no reason for talking about it now, as "shameless and immoral."

He said that the Palestinian health ministry "strongly condemns the attack on the sanctity of the dead, dismembering their bodies and taking their organs without parental consent. It calls upon the Israeli government to provide a response to this shameful act, and demands an immediate investigation on the subject."

Abu Maghli asked the international community, humanitarian organizations and human rightists to have an international inquiry into the subject and to present to justice all those involved in assaulting the bodies of Palestinian martyrs and stealing parts of their bodies.

Egypt's barrier along Gaza border called 'wall of shame'

By Jeffrey Fleishman and Amro Hassan

The underground barrier meant to prevent smuggling shows that Egypt is siding with Israel, Arab commentators say. 'It is like a total obedience to the American recommendations,' a Cairo editor says.

December 21, 2009

Reporting from Cairo - An underground barrier to prevent tunneling by smugglers along Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip has been dubbed a "wall of shame" by Arab writers and politicians who charge that Cairo is siding with Israel in isolating the 1.5 million Palestinians living in the seaside enclave.

Construction on the 100-foot-deep steel wall began a few weeks ago, but the Egyptian government didn't publicly acknowledge the project until the weekend. Officials defended the effort against accusations that it was an affront to Palestinians by the government of President Hosni Mubarak, which opposes Hamas, the militant group ruling Gaza.

"Whether it is a wall, sensors or tapping devices . . . what matters is that Egyptian territory must be protected," Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit was quoted as saying by Al Ahram al Arabi weekly magazine. "Whoever says Egypt is imposing its control on the border, we tell them this is Egypt's full right."

The controversy highlights Egypt's close geographical and emotional ties to the Palestinians, but also the complex political dilemma it faces in attempting to undercut Hamas. The construction comes at a time when Egypt is wary over Hamas' ties to Iran and the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, but also as Egyptian officials are pushing for unity between Palestinian parties and a prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas that would free Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Egypt has tightened its border with Gaza since Hamas gained control of the coastal strip in 2007. But the smuggling tunnels -- transporting goods as varied as weapons and baby food -- were considered lifelines to Palestinians who faced shortages because of Israel's siege of the territory.

"It is a wall of shame being built by Egypt on the borders with Gaza," wrote Ibrahim Issa, chief editor of daily newspaper Al Dustour. "It is like a total obedience to the American recommendations. We are opening our territories for a barrier that only serves and supports the Israeli and U.S. policies."

Issa, a frequent government critic, pointed out that regardless of his and many Egyptians' political persuasions, building the wall is a clear example of Egypt's authoritarianism.

"Unlike in Israel, where constructing a wall separating its territories from Gaza and the West Bank was debated in parliament and in the media before it was given the thumbs up, our regime was keen on classifying any information regarding the new wall. This is simply because Israel adopts a democratic system while Egypt doesn't enjoy such luxury," he wrote.

Similar reactions echoed across the region. They followed denunciations in January when Egypt closed its Rafah border crossing with Gaza during the Israeli invasion of the strip. The move effectively put a stranglehold on goods entering the enclave.

"We can understand it when the Israeli government uses the same methods as the Nazis in transforming the Gaza Strip into a huge concentration camp," wrote the London-based pan-Arab daily Al Quds al Arabi. "But what we cannot understand or accept is that the Egyptian government -- and not the Egyptian people -- should take part in such a crime for fear of the Israelis, and in an attempt to appease the U.S., getting nothing in return except humiliation and dishonor."

Palestinian journalist Mustafa Sawwaf wrote on a Hamas-affiliated website: "The issue has nothing to do with Egyptian national security, and more to do with Egyptian policy.

"As far as the borders with the Gaza Strip and the steel wall are concerned, this policy is linked less to Egypt's interests and security as it has become a tool for implementing U.S. schemes in the region."

The wall, dubbed "the steel barrier" by Egyptian media, prompted a number of lawmakers to file reports to the attorney general against Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif.

"Our government is alleging that it is for the country's own security while it is just another effort to stiffen the ongoing siege over our fellow Muslims in Gaza," said Hamdi Hassan, a Muslim Brotherhood member of parliament.

Gaza Freedom March is determined to break the siege

1,360 International Delegates appeal to Egypt to let the March proceed
GazaFreedomMarch.Org

For Immediate Release: December 21st, 2009

Contact: Ann Wright
019 508 1493 (Cairo), microann@yahoo.com

Gaza Freedom March is determined to break the siege
1,360 International Delegates appeal to Egypt to let the March proceed

Citing escalating tensions on the Gaza-Egypt border, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry informed us on December 20 that the Rafah border will be closed over the coming weeks, into January. We responded that there is always tension at the border because of the siege and that if there are any risks, they are risks we are willing to take. We also said that it was too late for over 1,360 delegates coming from over 42 countries to change their plans now.

Although we consider this as a setback, it is something we’ve encountered—and overcome--before. No delegation, large or small, that has entered Gaza over the past 12 months has received a final OK before arriving at the Rafah border. Most delegations were discouraged from even heading out of Cairo to Rafah. Some had their buses stopped on the way. Some have been told outright that they could not go into Gaza. But after public and political pressure, the Egyptian government changed its position and let them pass.

Our efforts and plans will not be altered at this point. We have set out to break the siege of Gaza and to march in Gaza on December 31 against the international blockade. We are continuing the journey.

Egyptian embassies and missions all over the world will be hearing by phone, fax and email from delegates and the supporters of the Gaza Freedom March over the coming crucial days, with the clear message: Let the international delegation enter Gaza and let the Gaza Freedom March proceed.

Many delegates are already in Cairo and more are arriving daily. Delegates canceled holiday plans months ago to come on the Gaza Freedom march and air tickets were purchased. We anticipate that virtually all of the 1,360 delegates will come to Cairo.

Because of the incredible humanitarian crisis in Gaza caused by the Israeli attack on Gaza a year ago and by the international siege on Gaza, we feel morally obligated to continue our mission to bring more international attention to the plight of the 1.5 million people imprisoned in Gaza.

The Gaza Freedom March Steering Committee

For more information, contact Ann Wright 019 508 1493 (Cairo), microann@yahoo.com

Medea Benjamin medea@globalexchange.org
US +1.415-235-6517 Cairo 0189561919

Ehab Lotayef lotayef@gmail.com
Canada +1.514.941.9792 Cairo 017 638-2628

Haidar Eid haidareid@yahoo.com
Gaza +972 599 441 766

Top Yemeni lawmaker quits over civilian deaths

Yemen's deputy speaker of parliament has suspended his membership over a government attack south of the country in which dozens of civilians were killed.

Last Thursday, at least 63 civilians, including some 28 children, were killed in airstrikes which the government claimed to be aimed at uprooting an al-Qaeda cell operative in the southern province of Abyan.

"It is regrettable to take the lives of our children like this", said Ali Muhammad Al-Shadadi, calling on Sana'a to clarify the civilian deaths in the southern country, Yemen Post reported.

Shadadi announced his decision after Deputy Prime Minister for Defense and Security Affairs Rashad Al-Alimi failed to appear in the parliament to answer questions over the operation.

The parliament has approved to summon Al-Alimi and the Minister of Defense over the incident.

Al-Alimi vowed to present a report on al-Qaeda threats in the county on Wednesday.

The government, however, requested for another day to present a "comprehensive report on the last developments on al-Qaeda threats in Yemen," Yemen News Agency SABA reported.

Ex-Russian PM warns against attack on Iran

Former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov said Monday that the consequences of a military solution to Iran's nuclear program are "horrible and unpredictable."

Speaking at an international Middle East conference in Jordan, Primakov said an attack against Iran's nuclear installations would only 'radicalize' Tehran and at best, it would only 'postpone the development of nuclear weapons by Iran for no longer than two years', RIA Novosti quoted him as a saying.

"In that situation, Iran could consider it absolutely vital to have nuclear weapons," he added.

Iran, a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of the UN nuclear watchdog, says its activities are aimed at the civilian applications of the technology. The West, however, accuses it of pursuing nuclear weapons.

Primakov, who has served as Russia's foreign minister, prime minister and chief of intelligence services, expressed doubt that a political decision had been made in Iran to pursue nuclear weapons. "Russia has no information [to confirm this]."

He added that Iran has become a regional power in the Middle East.

"We owe this to the Americans," Primakov told the international forum.

"When they launched their operation in Iraq, they destroyed the balance of forces that had existed for years. Iran has attained the level of a Middle East power that must be reckoned with."

The forum was attended by Iran's Mohammad Sadeq Sadeqian, a Middle East expert, and Professor Sadeq Zibakalam.

Spain launching first volume of Miro letters

Barcelona is launching the first volume of letters and postcards written by Spanish Catalan painter, sculptor, and ceramist Joan Miro.

Joan Miro's Catalan Letters includes more than 1,000 letters and postcards sent to over one hundred people connected with Miro such as relatives, friends, art critics, artists, gallery owners and journalists.

Created by the Joan Miro Foundation, the Fundacio Lluis Carulla and Editorial Barcino, the volume presents a large part of unpublished Miro correspondence.

Miro's first supportive gallery owner Josep Dalmau, his spokesman and critic in Barcelona Sebastia Gasch, Catalan poet J.V. Foix and famous architect Josep Lluis Sert are among the artist's correspondents.

The letters take one into the world of Miro from his early years as an artist, until his great artistic era after the end of World War II, Artdaily reported.

The volume was made possible by Miro's own efforts to keep everything related to his works, including his collection of sketches, preparatory drawings, notes, studies, etc.

Heavy Saudi casualties in war with Houthis

Saudi Arabia has acknowledged that its forces suffered heavy casualties during the all out war it launched against Yemen's Shia fighters in the mountainous north.

The remarks came amid fresh warnings by Riyadh to the Houthi fighters over the fighters' resistance to the continuing Saudi air strikes.

Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khaled bin Sultan said in a statement on Tuesday that 73 Saudis have been killed and 26 are missing since fighting broke out in November, AFP reported.

"The confrontation on the southern border" has resulted in "73 martyrs and 26 missing," he was quoted as saying in a media conference.

"We believe that 12 [of the missing soldiers] were killed, while we do not know about the fate of the other 14," Prince Khaled said.

"The number of wounded has reached 470, the majority of whom have been treated and released, while 60 remain in hospitals," he added.

The prince also warned the Houthi fighters to retreat from Al-Jabiriyah border village, which he said was the only place still under the Houthis' control.

"They have 24 hours to surrender, or we will destroy them," he said.

Riyadh joined Yemen's offensive against the Houthi fighters and vowed to continue its raids until they move back from the frontier between Yemen and the kingdom.

The fighters accuse Riyadh of targeting civilian areas far from the Saudi-Yemeni border.

They also say the attacks have so far left scores of civilians killed and thousands of others displaced.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=114393§ionid=351020206.