Palestine

Grassroots International Condemns the Bombing in Gaza

Carol Schachet — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

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Connections with Gaza Hang by a Thread

Salena Tramel — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:26:02 +0000

Yesterday, I was on the phone with a friend in Gaza when we were cut off by a loud noise. When I reached her a few minutes later, she politely apologized for the interruption, explaining that a missile had just hit a target next to her apartment building for the sixth time that day. "It's already totally flattened," she said, "I don't know what more they want."

Demand Balanced Media Coverage of the Crisis in Gaza

Lindsay Shade — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:10:52 +0000

As the death toll rises in Gaza to over 650 with thousands more wounded in the 11 days since the Israeli military campaign began, mainstream U.S. media outlets are toeing the official Israeli government line, scarcely mentioning statements from the international human rights community, progressive Israelis, or Palestinians.

Catastrophe Worsens in Gaza

Carol Schachet — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:09:05 +0000

On the evening of January 3, we residents of Gaza realized that if there is any truth to Ehud Barak's words, it is that this invasion will be a long one. At approximately 9:15 pm local time Israeli forces entered the strip from three locations. From the east of Gaza City, tanks rolled into the Palestinian residential areas while Israeli F16s provided cover from the sky. At the same time, Israeli tanks and infantry troops entered Rafah from the south east, while tank shelling and artillery fire rained on the Mintar area of Gaza City. Israeli warships were simultaneously barraging Gaza City from the sea. The entire strip was surrounded and being heavily pounded by Israeli missiles and artillery fire.

Talking Points for Engaging the Media, Elected Officials, and Others on the Crisis in Gaza

Lindsay Shade — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:38:34 +0000

Numerous reports, including by Amnesty International, have cited Israel's November 4th raid into Gaza as effectively breaking the ceasefire.
The Israeli 'disengagement' of 2005 DID NOT end the occupation of Gaza – and an occupying power is responsible for the welfare of people under its occupation. An occupation is determined by whether there is effective control – not simply the presence of illegal settlers and soldiers.
Israel and the Palestinian Authority signed a ceasefire that included Gaza on November 26, 2006. However, Israel continued to conduct incursions into the West Bank and carry out “targeted assassinations,” some of which resulted in the murder of civilians.

Grassroots Grantee Gaza Community Mental Health Program Damaged in Attacks

Salena Tramel — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:27:41 +0000

Grassroots International's long time grantee, the Gaza Community Mental Health Program (GCMHP) has been hit by extensive shelling in the now weeklong military campaign against Gaza. GCMHP provides mental health services, with special emphasis on vulnerable groups such as children, women and victims of trauma and human rights violations. They are also the lead organization of the International Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza, which Grassroots International has supported in coordination with alies such as Jewish Voice for Peace and Global Exchange.

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Press Release

The Israeli shelling caused massive damage in GCMHP Headquarter in Gaza

First day of the new year in Gaza

Carol Schachet — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:17:48 +0000

It's interesting how, at the most terrifying and horrific of times, we still manage to make light of the events, and even enjoy a dark sense of humor. Here are two recent personal examples from Gaza.

My 10-year-old cousin was eating a sandwich, when one of my younger brothers, 12, looked at him and, quoted a line from one of his favorite video games. In his dead-on imitation of the character's voice, he said to his younger cousin, "Enjoy it, it could be your last!" I looked at him for a second and began laughing almost hysterically at his imitation and the absurdity of the situation.

Remembering Gaza

Salena Tramel — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:00:57 +0000

In an article I co-authored a few weeks ago, I wrote that Gaza continually redefines what it means to hit rock bottom. Since that time, the bottom seems to have dropped out as Gazans face an even worse reality.

Statement by Prof. Richard Falk

Carol Schachet — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:39:17 +0000

The Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip represent severe and massive violations of international humanitarian law as defined in the Geneva Conventions, both in regard to the obligations of an Occupying Power and in the requirements of the laws of war.

Those violations include:

Sharing a Glimpse of the Life of Civilians in Gaza under Israeli Fire

Carol Schachet — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:43:32 +0000

Long-time Grassroots International ally, the Democracy and Workers' Rights Center has been monitoring the Israeli military operation against the Gaza Strip, which began on December 27, 2008. Based in Ramallah, DWRC has maintained daily contact with its Gazan colleagues and their families, hoping that they will all remain safe and unharmed. Below is their reflection and a call to action.