Showing posts with label Gaza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gaza. Show all posts
August 05, 2014
August 03, 2014
Reflections on Gaza and the DC Rally
By Aishah Schwartz
[Note: This post was updated after it was suggested to me in a comment that I had done nothing to contribute, and to clarify that the efforts of anyone supporting the wrongly oppressed Palestinian community is not in any way intended to be disparaged.]
By all accounts from the photos circulating throughout the internet on Saturday, August 2, it appeared that thousands turned out in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., to protest the 2014 Israeli massacre on the Gaza Strip. While the event played out live on social media, I cross-published numerous items shared via Twitter to my Facebook profile and page.
As the afternoon's event drew to a close, however, I made a few observations, one being that I wished the event organizers had been united with the rest of the world in using the hashtag #GazaUnderAttack - this was the primary (other than just #Gaza), hashtag used through-out the now 27-day massacre. For D.C. organizers to have singled themselves out, or in effect, excluded themselves by not following the lead of the rest of the world in using the #GazaUnderAttack hashtag, it was as if to say they were simply having their own better-late-than-never party; why should the world be united? #HeadDesk
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| Israel shrinks inhabitable territory by 40% |
Another observation about the August 2 event in D.C. is that, it struck me as somehow anti-climatic coming so far behind the rest of the world; even the rest of the nation!
Washington, D.C., home of the White House, didn't join the rest of the world in supporting the Palestinian people against the Israeli massacre until the same day that the Israeli's began to announce they were finally on the verge of pulling out; having fulfilled their stated mission to destroy the Hamas tunnel system, while extending the buffer zone by another three kilometers - virtually shrinking the inhabitable land mass of the Gaza Strip by 40%?!
How D.C. fell so far behind in the race against time is, sadly, unfathomable.
London had an absolutely smashing protest on July 19 (one of many), that demonstrated not only effectiveness in numbers, but, masha'Allah, gobsmacked the world with its photos highlighting (circa D.C. 2006 pictured below), the effectiveness of posters and signs. Not only did Londoners appear as a sea of people, they were a wall-to-wall mass of collective voice through the signs that almost each and every protester carried. London rocked the poster in 2014!I scoured the net for photos out of D.C. on August 2 that even began to match what happened in London, praying for anything that could effectively wipe the egg off our faces in D.C. Finally, I found a slideshow of photos at POLITICO with a single shot by a fantastic photographer that saved the day. In fact, I created an image file depicting the D.C. and London demos together, merely to set out for the record, that D.C. had done its best to give them a run for their money; despite coming out of the gate in nearly last place!
It is clear that Londoner's stepped up to the plate to finance their protest, as evidenced by the sea of posters and signs that would otherwise not have materialized.
The economy isn't great anywhere in the world, and I don't think Londoners are faring much better than U.S. citizens financially, but, with a month's worth of incursion to prepare, and bus loads of protesters traveling across state borders to arrive for the August 2 demonstration, what went wrong in D.C. where posters were concerned? #ScratchesHead
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| National March on Washington 2006 |
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| National March on Washington 2006 |
On a personal level, I was asked a few times why I had not published anything this past month regarding the 2014 massacre on Gaza, being that I am known as a writer in addition to being an activist.
Well, I decided to do something different, being that from 2006 through 2014 boots-on-the-ground activism has yet to achieve an end to the siege and embargo on Gaza, or change in U.S. foreign policy, among other things.
So while some may refer to it as "arm-chair activism", while keeping up with the pace of events via social media, sharing what I could in order to raise awareness, I would have spent whatever second of the day or night required of me, throughout Ramadan and Eid, making myself available to my valiantly brave sister and friend, Hanaa, in Gaza City, her family and a handful of others that I met along the way.
No, I didn't write any articles about the events of this past month, I chose, instead, to make a difference in the best way I felt was humanly possible - from the other side of the Rafah border here in Egypt - to offer whatever hope I could to the Palestinians in Gaza with whom I hold a personal relationship. In the end, I may not have written anything other than this post for public consumption, but between myself and Hanaa, there may very well be a book.
And I would not have changed a minute of the time spent with any of my friends in Gaza for anything other than - peace and reconciliation.
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| With Hanaa in Gaza November 2012 |
Reading from Hanaa, and other friends in Gaza, about how much my steadfast presence in their mobiles via SMS, Viber, WhatsApp and Facebook meant to them, touched my heart like nothing you could imagine - outside of being able to somehow lift them from their homes to sure safety.
In the early morning hours of August 3, Day 27, my friends in Gaza reported that it had been a somewhat quieter night than the seemingly endless nights previous; but before I could post this and finally sleep myself, I learned that the quiet had been broken and Gazans were awakening to the tragically familiar sound of rocket fire and booms.
There is still so much work ahead, and as of the time of this post, with 1,730 martyred and 9,100 injured; suffering that nothing but their steadfast faith in Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will ease.
Once the final flashes of light in the night sky from rocket fire cease, insha'Allah the Palestinians will do what they've always done; rise again.
The future is still uncertain for the Gaza Strip and its inhabitants, so our continued duas and collective support remain essential.
I will close with an excerpt from one of my favorite hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Book 76, Number 509: "Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks."
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ADDITIONAL PHOTOS (click on any image to view larger size):
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| National March on Washington 2006 |
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| National March on Washington 2006 |
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| Wall at Erez Border Crossing, Gaza - Dec. 2009 |
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| Gaza Freedom March, Erez Border, Gaza Dec. 2009-Jan.10 |
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| Israeli Embassy, Cairo, Egypt April 2011 |
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| Rafah May 2011 - 63rd Nakba |
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| 63rd Nakba May 11, 2011 - Rafah Border, Egypt |
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| Medical Convoy Team Member-Gaza Beach Nov. 2012 |
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| Medical Convoy Team Member-Gaza Beach Nov. 2012 |
POSTSCRIPT:
One of the other things I did with Hanaa during Ramadan, was take her along with me on a journey through photography. Hanna wasn't able to leave her home in Ramadan to visit friends, share iftars, attend taraweeh prayers, nothing. Her world was no longer merely an open-air prison, her prison had become the family's home. They spent the days struggling to endure not only the endless booms from outside the windows of their home, the trembling floors and ceilings, but living on a schedule of sporadic blackout periods that sometimes lasted 12-hours or more. Water and groceries, scratch cards for mobiles and fuel for the family's generator to keep batteries charged and electricity running for short periods, became the routine of their days. Whereas, on an ordinary day there would be things like, water for a shower, jobs to go to, markets to visit, friends to see, and - being able to sleep through the night.
So, as a diversion, throughout July, I shared with Hanaa and her family, photo albums of Aishah's Journey through Ramadan and Eid 2014.
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| Happy Eid from Hanaa's Mom! <3 |
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Eid Prayer at El Gouna Masjid, Egypt
Ramadan 2014 Hurghada's Masjid El Zard - Egypt
Ramadan Taraweeh Prayers at Masjid El Gouna - Egypt
Ramadan 2014: Masjid Shekh Abd Elmanem Riad - Hurghada, Egypt
Photojournalist Dedicates Taraweeh Prayers to Gaza at Masjid El Qatari - Hurghada, Egypt
http://www.demotix.com/news/5207608/photojournalist-dedicates-taraweeh-prayers-gaza-masjid-el-qatari
Ramadan 2014: Al Noor Masjid, Hurghada - Egypt
Traditional Ramadan Fanoos: alive and well in Hurghada - Egypt
Ramadan Suhoor at Costa Coffee - Hurghada, Egypt
Women's prayer spaces: El-Mina Masjid, Hurghada - Egypt
Hurghada Gears up for Ramadan 2014 - Egypt
November 22, 2012
WAR ON GAZA WOUNDED: Seeking Identity of this #Gaza Daughter
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| If you can identify this child please leave a comment. |
November 19, 2012
Lies the Media Keeps Repeating About Gaza
http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/redisplay/1/printerfriendly/1
From time to time, the Palestine Center distributes articles it believes will enhance understanding of the Palestinian political reality. The following article by Omar Baddar was published by Huffington Post on 19 November 2012.
"Lies the Media Keeps Repeating About Gaza"
By Omar Baddar
As Israel continues to pound Gaza, the Palestinian death toll of the latest round of violence has crossed the 100 mark. Thus far, the American media has given Israeli officials and spokespersons a free pass to shape the narrative of this conflict with falsehoods. Here are the top 5 lies the media doesn't challenge about the crisis in Gaza:
November 18, 2012
U.S. Activist Aishah Schwartz Addresses Open Letter to Obama on Gaza
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| Aishah Schwartz in Gaza 7-10 Nov. 2012. |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) - Nov 18, 2012 - Dear Mr. President: I call on you to exert diplomatic pressure on Israel to bring about an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and to initiate an investigation of Israel's misuse of U.S. weapons against Palestinians in this and previous attacks.
I have supported you primarily because I believe you have a heart; that it is your heart that got you where you are today and it is your heart that will continue to guide you in making the right decision in support of ending the siege and bombing of Gaza.
You encountered many an obstacle on your way to the Presidency, so I am counting on you to deliver where Gaza is concerned. From your heart -- you know the difference between right and wrong -- and I am counting on you to know the difference between allegiance to the flag of the United States of America vs. allegiance to the Israeli flag.
We are all proven wrong from time-to-time, please don't let me be wrong this time - Gaza can't wait.
Sincerely,
Aishah Schwartz
You can send YOUR letter at the "End the Occupation" website.
RELATED:
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| Ministry of Police receiving Egyptian medical convoy delegation. |
The Bombing of Gaza 2012
GAZA Martyr's List
Aishah Schwartz Activist-Writer on Facebook
June 23, 2012
Photos at Demotix by Aishah Schwartz
"Do you know what I will always remember about the photos taken at
the Mohamed Mahmoud Street Wall on February 3, 2010? The sounds, the tingle in my nose and the water running from my eyes
as the air filled with tear gas, and the blood racing through my veins;
the pulse of Egypt." ~Aishah Schwartz
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Photos taken by Aishah Schwartz published at Demotix.
VIEWS UPDATED JUNE 24, 2012
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Photos taken by Aishah Schwartz published at Demotix.
VIEWS UPDATED JUNE 24, 2012
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| CLICK ON LINK LOWER LEFT FOR THE REST OF THE STORY |
January 05, 2012
Aishah Schwartz's Challenge to the Women of Gaza!
This is an internal awareness campaign that does not require international intervention.
The women of Gaza can fix this simply by uniting.
The women of Gaza can fix this simply by uniting.
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Click on image to view full size.  |
May 16, 2011
U.S. Activist Aishah Schwartz Joins Egyptians for May 15 Nakba Commemoration at Rafah Border
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| Click on image to view full size. |
U.S. Activist Joins Egyptians for Nakba Commemoration
DEMOTIX PHOTO ALBUM: http://www.demotix.com/news/695467/us-activist-joins-egyptians-nakba-commemoration-rafah
[SUBHAN'ALLAH...and this was happening on the other side of the border... For the first time in 63 years of being outcast from their home land, some 50,000 Palestinians have flooded the border of Lebanon and Palestine. http://www.presstv.com/detail/180166.html]
[AND in Palestine: Palestinian protesters mark Nakba Day - http://www.presstv.com/detail/180098.html]
RAFAH, EGYPT (15 May 2011) - Joining a group of fellow activists traveling from Cairo to the Rafah border crossing, American activist, Aishah Schwartz, marked the 63rd Nakba commemoration among demonstrators waving Palestinian and Egyptian flags calling for the right of Palestinians to return to their homelands.
The Egyptian-International Coalition for Ending the Blockade and Rebuilding Gaza, led by organizer and public affairs director, Ahmed Elassy, originally set out for the Rafah border in anticipation of fulfillment of the April 17 commitment made by Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil El-Araby to facilitate delivery of goods and building supplies officially requested by Elassy for delivery to Gaza.
The main objective of the Egyptian-International Coalition for Ending the Blockade and Rebuilding Gaza is to peacefully demand the permanent end of the Egyptian blockade of goods, services and building materials to the Gaza Strip.
In an unforeseen twist of fate it was announced on Sunday that Al-Araby had been named as the new Secretary General of the Arab League, effectively side-lining what would have been a siege breaking event.
Elassy's group was determined to remain hopeful of completing its mission but returned to Cairo on Tuesday, after an all-night sit-down demonstration staged Monday by a separate group of activists arriving through the desert, resulted in officials placing a ban on all non-traveling visitors attempting to reach the border.
Thousands from across Egypt had attempted to reach the Rafah crossing to commemorate the 63rd Nakba, but an alert issued in the Sinai Peninsula and along the borders, resulted in an intensified military presence marked by travelers not identifiable as Sinai residents being turned back.
The May 15 Nakba (translated as 'Catastrophe') Memorial Day commemoration marks the occasion during which more than 700,000 Palestinians - estimated today to number 4.7 million with their descendants - were pushed into exile or driven out of their homes in 1948. Additionally, Israeli forces destroyed more than 400 villages in their wake.
On Wednesday Hamas officials announced it's decision to close the crossing from the Palestinian side from Thursday for an indefinite period. (http://youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=415719)
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اعتصام 50 ناشطا مصريا وأمريكيا أمام معبر رفح
رفح- عبد الحليم سالم
Rafah - Abdel-Halim Salem
http://www.youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=412977
يعتصم قرابة 50 ناشطا مصريا وناشطة أمريكية أمام بوابة معبر رفح تضامنا مع غزة، ومن أجل الدخول إلى القطاع للمشاركة بيوم الزحف لفك الحصار عن غزة.
وقال أحمد العاصى، منسق التحالف الدولى لكسر الحصار عن غزة، إن النشطاء مازالوا أمام المعبر بمشاركة الناشطة الأمريكية عائشه شووركس.
وأضاف أن قوات الأمن احتجزت الناشطين عند الحوجز الأمنية، ومنعت وصولهم إلى القطاع.
وتشهد سيناء والمناطق الحدودية حالة من الاستنفار الأمنى والتواجد الكثيف للقوات المسلحة.
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Only a few protesters make it to Rafah on Nakba Day - http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/437715
Activists spend night at border after being denied access to Gaza - http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/440383
Thousands rallied in Cairo for "Nakba" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6XM6Ucl3Iw
Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and groups, to post on Internet sites and to publish in full text and subject title in not-for-profit publications. Contact author for all other rights, which are reserved.
May 13, 2011
American Activist, Aishah Schwartz Joins Pre-Nakba Celebrations in Cairo and Rafah
Before heading to the Rafah border, American Activist, Aishah Schwartz attended Friday morning prayers at Cairo's Masjid Al-Noor, where worshipers waved Palestinian flags in setting the tone for May 15 Nakba Day celebrations.
Photo Album of Friday Prayers at Masjid Al-Noor, Cairo
CAIRO, EGYPT (May 13, 2011) - Gearing up for Palestinian Nakba Day celebrations set to begin Sunday, this Friday morning's fajr prayer attendance at Cairo's Masjid Al-Noor soared to thousands. The overflowing crowd spilled down the steps of the masjid's entrance and filled the Egyptian military secured street-front.
At the conclusion of their prayers worshipers massed outside Masjid Al-Noor waving Palestinian flags and chanting boisterously in support of their Palestinian counterparts.
The May 15 commemoration events for the Nakba (translated as 'Catastrophe') Memorial Day mark the occasion during which more than 700,000 Palestinians - estimated today to number 4.7 million with their descendants - were pushed into exile or driven out of their homes in 1948. Additionally, Israeli forces destroyed more than 400 villages in their wake.
Refugees in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria were also to mark the anniversary from Friday onwards.
Also in advance of May 15 Nakba celebrations, American Activist, Aishah Schwartz joined team members of the Egyptian-International Coalition for Ending the Blockade and Rebuilding Gaza, led by Organizer and Public Affairs Director Ahmed Elassy, of Cairo.
The group, in follow-up of a commitment announced on April 17 by Egyptian Foreign Ministry officials to facilitate delivery of goods and supplies Elassy requested be delivered to the Palestinians in Gaza, has arrived to the Rafah border in anticipation of fulfilling its mission.
On April 29 Foreign Minister Al-Araby announcement Egypt's intention to permanently open the Rafah border, stating that Egypt would take, "important steps to help ease the blockade on Gaza in the few days to come."
"It is my earnest hope and prayer that on Sunday, May 15, Mr. Elassy, his organization and team members, lead their siege breaking cargo of building supplies and goods through the border at Rafah and onward into Gaza," stated Schwartz.
She added, "On a personal level, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a witness to history, God willing, and among the few allowed to pass into Rafah during a time when the Egyptian military has turned away thousands attempting to reach the border."
Further signaling Egypt's intention to move forward with pro-Palestinian changes in foreign policy, The Unity Agreement, signaling the conclusion of intra-Palestinian political hostilities between Fatah and Hamas, was signed in Cairo on May 4.
Serving as a catalyst for The Unity Agreement was the Gaza Youth Breaks Out (GYBO) March 15 revolution. Palestinian youth, reportedly more than 65% of the territory's population, called for unity demonstrations that were widely publicized and supported by global solidarity movements. Among GYBO's demands was a call for immediate unity and reconciliation among Palestinian political factions, as well as free and fair elections.
According to The Unity Agreement signed in Cairo on May 4, the Legislative, Presidential, and Palestinian National Council elections will be conducted within one year from the date of signing.
RELATED:
Photo Album of Friday Prayers at Masjid Al-Noor, Cairo
Egypt gets ready for Palestinian Nakba Day - Army steps up security around Sinai peninsula as Egyptian activists plan march towards Gaza border on Nakba Day
Pre-Nakba Day protests in Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel - These protests have the potential to reveal an unexpected Palestinian strength, and could help build linkages between Palestinians and the citizens in neighboring countries.
Marking The Nakba Day On May 15, Egyptians Plan To March To Gaza
French lawyer reveals himself as 'Palestine papers' source - Ziyad Clot, a lawyer of Palestinian descent involved in 2008 Annapolis negotiations between Israel and PA, says in Guardian op-ed that 'Israel's attack on Gaza and the disastrous 'peace talks' compelled me to leak what I knew.'
Photo Album of Friday Prayers at Masjid Al-Noor, Cairo
At the conclusion of their prayers worshipers massed outside Masjid Al-Noor waving Palestinian flags and chanting boisterously in support of their Palestinian counterparts.
The May 15 commemoration events for the Nakba (translated as 'Catastrophe') Memorial Day mark the occasion during which more than 700,000 Palestinians - estimated today to number 4.7 million with their descendants - were pushed into exile or driven out of their homes in 1948. Additionally, Israeli forces destroyed more than 400 villages in their wake.
Refugees in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria were also to mark the anniversary from Friday onwards.
Also in advance of May 15 Nakba celebrations, American Activist, Aishah Schwartz joined team members of the Egyptian-International Coalition for Ending the Blockade and Rebuilding Gaza, led by Organizer and Public Affairs Director Ahmed Elassy, of Cairo.
The group, in follow-up of a commitment announced on April 17 by Egyptian Foreign Ministry officials to facilitate delivery of goods and supplies Elassy requested be delivered to the Palestinians in Gaza, has arrived to the Rafah border in anticipation of fulfilling its mission.
On April 29 Foreign Minister Al-Araby announcement Egypt's intention to permanently open the Rafah border, stating that Egypt would take, "important steps to help ease the blockade on Gaza in the few days to come."
"It is my earnest hope and prayer that on Sunday, May 15, Mr. Elassy, his organization and team members, lead their siege breaking cargo of building supplies and goods through the border at Rafah and onward into Gaza," stated Schwartz.
She added, "On a personal level, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a witness to history, God willing, and among the few allowed to pass into Rafah during a time when the Egyptian military has turned away thousands attempting to reach the border."
Further signaling Egypt's intention to move forward with pro-Palestinian changes in foreign policy, The Unity Agreement, signaling the conclusion of intra-Palestinian political hostilities between Fatah and Hamas, was signed in Cairo on May 4.
Serving as a catalyst for The Unity Agreement was the Gaza Youth Breaks Out (GYBO) March 15 revolution. Palestinian youth, reportedly more than 65% of the territory's population, called for unity demonstrations that were widely publicized and supported by global solidarity movements. Among GYBO's demands was a call for immediate unity and reconciliation among Palestinian political factions, as well as free and fair elections.
According to The Unity Agreement signed in Cairo on May 4, the Legislative, Presidential, and Palestinian National Council elections will be conducted within one year from the date of signing.
RELATED:
Photo Album of Friday Prayers at Masjid Al-Noor, Cairo
Egypt gets ready for Palestinian Nakba Day - Army steps up security around Sinai peninsula as Egyptian activists plan march towards Gaza border on Nakba Day
Pre-Nakba Day protests in Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel - These protests have the potential to reveal an unexpected Palestinian strength, and could help build linkages between Palestinians and the citizens in neighboring countries.
Marking The Nakba Day On May 15, Egyptians Plan To March To Gaza
French lawyer reveals himself as 'Palestine papers' source - Ziyad Clot, a lawyer of Palestinian descent involved in 2008 Annapolis negotiations between Israel and PA, says in Guardian op-ed that 'Israel's attack on Gaza and the disastrous 'peace talks' compelled me to leak what I knew.'
April 11, 2011
AISHAH SCHWARTZ: Support the Facebook Campaign for a No-Fly Zone Over Palestine!
SUPPORT THE FACEBOOK CAMPAIGN FOR A NO-FLY ZONE OVER PALESTINE!
To learn more visit: http://tinyurl.com/NoFlyPalestine
Direct link for sharing this image file
Help Free All Palestinian Women Political Prisoners
http://aishahsjourney.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-is-womens-history-month-help-free.html
The Gaza Chronicles
The Gaza Chronicles
http://aishahsjourney.blogspot.com/2010/07/gaza-chronicles-muslimah-writers.html
Gaza Freedom March Album
Gaza Freedom March Album
http://pressroom.prlog.org/mwa-net
New friends! Please join me on the 2nd page; this profile has reached the FB mandated 5,000 friend limit.
New friends! Please join me on the 2nd page; this profile has reached the FB mandated 5,000 friend limit.
"Like" here: http://www.facebook.com/aishahschwartz.activist See you there, insha'Allah! ♥
Copyright © 2011 Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and groups, to post on Internet sites and to publish in full text and subject title in not-for-profit publications. Contact author for all other rights, which are reserved.
March 01, 2011
The Palestinian Protest Organized and Supported for Palestinians by Palestinians - March 15
Feb 24, 2011 (EGYPT) – The U.K.'s Guardian published an article in February demonstrative of the true voice of Gaza youth, calling for a 'United for Palestinian Freedom' March on 15 March, 2011 (English)-(Arabic). "Gaza Youth Breaks Out!" (GYBO), led by a core group of individuals who remain anonymous for security purposes, is a grassroots non-aligned movement, in regular contact with students in the West Bank and with connections to Palestinians and pro-Palestinian groups in Europe and South America as well as the Middle East.
GYBO first made headlines last year when they published an impassioned manifesto, endorsed by over 20,000 Gaza youth, expressing frustration with life and politics born of Hamas's violent crackdowns on 'western decadence', the destruction wreaked by Israel's attacks and the political games played by Fatah and the UN.
Manifesto 2.0, now available at http://gazaybo.wordpress.com, attempts to clear the air regarding objections to what some deemed as 'harsh' language in the original.
As stated in the updated manifesto, "We were harsh, true. We were angry, and still are. The order in which the 'parties' were cited was not intended and we are conscious that it brought much confusion in people's minds. However, to those reproaching us – because we denounced the corruption of our political leaders – of insulting the thousands who voted for Hamas in 2006 [including youth], of insulting the memories of the martyrs of the Resistance groups affiliated to the different Palestinian factions who shed their blood for us in many occasions, starting with Operation Cast Lead, we want to reply, 'don’t insult the Palestinian people's right to criticize its politicians.'
"Cast Lead wasn't a war; Cast Lead was a massacre, a slaughter, anything but a war. And during that massacre, we, the people of Gaza, paid from our blood too. Every single Palestinian sacrificed something, someone; it affected us all, from the youngest to the oldest, not only the Resistance. Bombs didn't make much difference. We never intended to reject the Resistance, and we're going to repeat it again; we will NEVER reject those who fight for us, for our Palestine, and it was NOT the case in our previous manifesto.
Manifesto 2.0 goes on to state, "Yes we voted for Hamas government. We all did. We were tired of Fatah's government corruption, [we] wanted a change and hoped Hamas would be that change. That [is] PRECISELY [what] gives us the right to shout our anger at them, because they are responsible [for] us, responsible of our well-being, our security. Fatah in the West Bank arrests Hamas affiliates, Hamas in Gaza arrests Fatah affiliates, while everywhere in Palestine you can find family members from different factions living united. Yes we denounce our politicians – [note those] words; POLITICIANS – because their mutual hatred divided them, even during the commemoration of the first anniversary of [the] Cast Lead massacre, while a crowd of Palestinians from all factions stood united by martyrdom, grief, and love for Palestine."
In conclusion, the updated manifesto adds, "We want three things. We want to be free. We want to be able to live a normal life. We want peace. Is that too much to ask? We are a peace movement of young people in Gaza and supporters elsewhere that will not rest until the truth about Gaza and Palestine is known by everybody in this whole world and in such a degree that no more silent consent or loud indifference will be accepted. And if we fail, other groups will take our place, until our voice can't be ignored anymore."
Details of the March 15 event, published and coordinated in English and Arabic language Facebook pages titled, "End the Division" or "Palestinians United", indicate that it is already supported by nearly 10,000; another coordinating page, primarily in Arabic, titled, "Palestinian", supported by 66,694, is also promoting the event. GYBO is further striving to unify nine other groups or Facebook pages in Gaza calling for action in the coming weeks.
Demonstrations have been organized to begin at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, March 15 and are stated to 'continue until the achievement of all goals'.
Gathering places, to date, include: Gaza - the Unknown Soldier Square; Ramallah - Manara Square; Tulkarm - Roundabout Gamal Abdel Nasser; Jenin - complex of garages near the old Cinema Jenin; Hebron - in front of the governor's office; Bethlehem - Church of the Nativity Square Nablus: Martyrs Square; Jordan and Lebanon: to be announced.
GYBO March 15 demonstration organizers are also calling for solidarity events world-wide in front of Palestinian embassies in coordination with the Palestinian communities abroad.
As stated on GYBO's 'End the Division' Facebook page, "On behalf of the Palestinian Arab people, on the blood of the martyrs, widows and bereaved, orphans and thousands of prisoners in Israeli jails and all our people in the Palestinian Diaspora, we call on all the Palestinian factions to unite under the banner of Palestine, in order to reform the political system in Palestine, based on the interests and aspirations of the Palestinian people in the homeland and the Diaspora."
With the resignation of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, it has been described as the hope of Egyptian youth that, Gaza will feel the effects of their new-found freedom because the siege of Gaza will end and the kinship between the people of Egypt and Palestine will be restored.
Although a complete overhaul of Rafah border restrictions remains to be achieved, an easement was seen in the period from June 2007 until 25 January when the border closed again for three weeks during the Egyptian Revolution. This past week the Egyptian Armed Forces began what many envision as the beginning of a series in border crossing improvements when Palestinians stranded in Egypt during the revolution were allowed to return. Subsequently, on 22 February, the border opened for two-way traffic and fees waived for those unable to pay.
Currently the Egyptian Armed Forces is receiving thousands of expatriates and refugees of the Libyan revolution. Al-Jazeera reports that there are an estimated one million Egyptians currently residing and working in Libya. Virtually every tourism bus in Egypt is lined up waiting to receive evacuees at the Salum border who have traveled through days of horror as the volatile crisis in Libya continues to escalate.
Additionally, news agencies reported earlier on Thursday, that smugglers shot and killed an Egyptian policeman at the Rafah border and Israeli Defense Forces struck against a number of alleged terrorists driving a vehicle in the city of Rafah. According to Palestinian sources area residents reported hearing four separate explosions leaving one dead and three injured; four residents - two adults and two children - were treated for shock.
Suffice it to say, patience and continued support of the efforts of the Egyptian Armed Forces to establish stability and the security of not only Egyptians, but Palestinians and Libyans as well, is crucial in this time.
RELATED
American Activist, Aishah Schwartz "Now is not the Time for an International March on Rafah" - Also published at The American Muslim (TAM)
Young Palestinians Call for Protests on 15 March
Gaza Youth Breaks Out (GYBO)
GYBO Campaign 'End the Division' - (English) - (Arabic)
Gazan Youth Issue Manifesto to Vent Anger with All Sides in the Conflict
Aishah Schwartz: The Gaza Chronicles
# # #
Aishah Schwartz serves as Executive Director of the Washington, D.C.-based Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA), founded in 2006. She is also a published freelance non-fiction writer/citizen-journalist and internationally renowned human rights activist. Full biography here.
--- end --- Visit Press Room
February 16, 2011
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Aishah Schwartz on the Egyptian Revolution, Tunisia, Gaza, Saudi Arabia and more!
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AMERICAN ACTIVIST AISHAH SCHWARTZ ON GAZA AND THE WOMEN'S RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN SAUDI ARABIA
ARABIC PRESS ON AISHAH SCHWARTZ
AISHAH SCHWARTZ ON FACEBOOK
ADDITIONAL WRITING OF AISHAH SCHWARTZ
AISHAH SCHWARTZ ACTIVISM PHOTO ALBUMS
January 10, 2011
In Memory of Mr. Saied Abd El Khalek - "Knight of the Word" - Editor-in-Chief, AlWafd News Journal - Cairo, Egypt and Champion for the Palestinian Cause
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High Resolution Download Here
PDF Download Here
ALSO AT FACEBOOK
Operation Cast Lead
(Dec. 27, 2008)
Gaza Freedom March Delegates Meeting at Al-Wafd
(Dec. 27, 2009)
Funeral of Saied Abd El Khalek
(Dec. 27, 2010)
ADDITIONAL ARABIC ARTICLES ON AISHAH'S JOURNEY TO GAZA
AlWafd Article 1
AlWafd Article 2
AlWafd Article 3
English Post-Gaza Initial Report
Operation Cast Lead
(Dec. 27, 2008)
Gaza Freedom March Delegates Meeting at Al-Wafd
(Dec. 27, 2009)
Funeral of Saied Abd El Khalek
(Dec. 27, 2010)
ADDITIONAL ARABIC ARTICLES ON AISHAH'S JOURNEY TO GAZA
AlWafd Article 1
AlWafd Article 2
AlWafd Article 3
English Post-Gaza Initial Report
November 10, 2010
BREAKING: GFM 2009 Delegate, Marjam Salvesen Bhatti, Deported from Egypt
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| Marjam Salvesen at Erez Border Crossing, Gaza. |
Salvesen stated via sms from Norway's Stavanger Airport, that she had not been harmed in Egypt, but was deprived of her mobile until she boarded the return flight.
Egyptian authorities questioned Salvesen about her visits to Gaza, Algeria and Pakistan. Salvesen added that on arrest she was told her name was on a list of people that cannot enter Egypt.
At 7AM Norway time on Wednesday, Marjam, who had arrived to Hurghada for holiday with her daughter, was still at Stavenger airport where the two had slept through the night with no tickets to arrive to their hometown in Trondheim.
June 20, 2010
BBC: NO GAZA OPTIMISM OVER EASING BLOCKADE
"What about the blockade on people for starters?" - "One-and-a-half million people are trapped in a prison unable to leave."
Don't be duped by reports that students are being allowed to pass through borders!
Read this: GAZA STUDENTS: Gaza Border Crossing Media Double-Talk?
And then sign the petition and send your letter to President Obama today!
Here is MWA'S/my letter!
JUN. 20 Israeli 'internal' investigation result: "The investigation found that under the circumstances the officers acted appropriately..." duh huh...and we expected anything less? NOT...
ISRAELI/MAINSTREAM MEDIA: 'LETHAL WEAPONS DISCLOSED' - Laugh from the bottom of your heart, and don’t let your imagination take you so far...
AND SHARE THIS POST, INSHA'ALLAH!
June 19, 2010
JUNE 19 OCTOBER WEEKLY: American Activist Aishah Schwartz
American Activist Aishah Schwartz
ON FACEBOOK (w/Photo)
ONLINE (ARABIC)
CORRECTIONS: Congressmen 54 not 65, Delegates 86 not 68, Arrived Egypt 2007 not 2008.
ADDITIONAL ARABIC ARTICLES ON AISHAH'S JOURNEY TO GAZA
AlWafd Article 1, AlWafd Article 2, AlWafd Article 3
ENGLISH Post-Gaza Initial Report
SIGN THE 'NO GAZA STUDENT LEFT BEHIND' ONLINE PETITION
June 16, 2010
Muslimah Writers Alliance Launches 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' Campaign
Press Release
Sign the 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' Petition
http://tinyurl.com/sign-gaza-student-petition
Students of Gaza need your support! Can they count on you to intervene on their behalf in guaranteeing their right to free passage between Israeli and Egyptian borders to secure exit visas needed to fulfill their aspirations for a brighter future?
WASHINGTON, D.C. (MWA-NET) June 15, 2010 - Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) urges all citizens of conscience to support the right of students in Gaza to freely pass through Israeli and Egyptian borders for the purpose of securing exit visas allowing them to pursue scholarship and enrollment opportunities afforded to them by universities abroad.
"As a returning Gaza Freedom March (Dec. 2009-Jan. 2010) delegate, I can speak first hand as to the intelligence and aspirations of students in Gaza. I met them; spoke with them; and carried back in my heart the memory of their smiling faces and bright, hopeful, soul-searching eyes. Let us join together in ensuring that their hopes and dreams are not in vain," stated MWA Director, Aishah Schwartz.
Sign the 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' petition today via either of two links: http://www.petitiononline.com/4gaza/petition.html or http://tinyurl.com/sign-gaza-student-petition, then deliver a copy of the letter provided below to President Barack Obama (details below). AND PASS IT ON!
To endorse the 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' campaign contact MWA: http://biz.prlog.org/mwa-net/contact.html
AN OPEN LETTER TO U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:
NO GAZA STUDENT LEFT BEHIND!
June 15, 2010
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
Fax: 202-456-2461
Email: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
Email: http://www.emailthepresident.com
Re: Supporting Students in Gaza Seeking Exit Visas in Pursuit of Higher Education
Dear President Obama,
The ongoing saga of Gaza scholarship-holding and international university-enrolled students waiting and losing hope of being able to secure exit visas that would allow them to fulfill their educational aspirations, is yet another heartless byproduct of the illegal siege and embargo on Gaza.
In a spring 2008 report, Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Unit Director, Khalil Shaheen, indicated that nearly 700 students had been unable to pass through either Egyptian or Israeli borders to secure exit visas needed to pursue the dream of a brighter future through educational opportunities offered abroad.
President Obama, you also stated in your January 2009 inaugural speech that without the privilege of having obtained a University education you would not be where you are today.
Now, as a result of the tragic events of May 31, 2010 when the humanitarian mission of the Freedom Flotilla from Turkey was deterred by Israeli gunfire, resulting in 9 fatalities, including one American, we have begun, at long last, to see an ease on the restrictions imposed by the Israeli blockade of Gaza, to include Egypt's opening of the Rafah border crossing to those with special needs, etc.
In a June 14 report European Union (EU) envoy Tony Blair recommended that the flow of humanitarian relief and people with special needs being allowed to pass through Israeli and Egyptian border crossings should be facilitated by the opening of at least one large-scale commercial traffic border.
Additionally, and also on June 14, the otherwise neutral humanitarian agency, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), explicitly stated for the first time that the blockade on Gaza was in violation of international law.
In its five-page report an ICRC spokeswoman stated, "The whole of Gaza's civilian population is being punished for acts for which they bear no responsibility. The closure therefore constitutes a collective punishment imposed in clear violation of Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law," including The Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, ratified by Israel, banning collective punishment of a civilian population.
But it is not enough. If standing up for the rights of students in Gaza to pursue a higher education cannot be counted as humanitarian relief, then what is?
The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights both explicitly confirm the right of all people to freely travel to and from their own state; and guarantees the right of every individual to an education.
We call on you Mr. President to intervene on behalf of the students of Gaza, now, while the opportunity is ripe for inclusion of this issue on the current agenda of negotiations where lifting of the embargo on Gaza is concerned.
Students holding legitimate scholarship and university enrollment documentation have a right to guaranteed passage through open border crossings from both Israel and Egypt to secure exit visas to their future; and the future of Palestine.
In delivering your May 2010 University of Michigan commencement speech you stated, "When we don't pay close attention to the decisions made by our leaders; when we fail to educate ourselves about the major issues of the day; when we choose not to make our voices and opinions heard, that's when democracy breaks down. That's when power is abused. That's when the most extreme voices in our society fill the void that we leave. That's when powerful interests and their lobbyists are most able to buy access and influence in the corridors of Washington - because none of us are there to speak up and stop them."
So, Mr. President, we the people speak to you now.
It has been a year-and-a-half since your inauguration speech and a year since you addressed the global Muslim community in Cairo, Egypt. And I am sure you are well aware that within that period, as recent reports indicate, there is a sense of disappointment affecting us all.
While the list of options for lifting the embargo on Gaza continues to be ironed out, and humanitarian relief efforts between borders broadens, we hope you will embrace the opportunity to renew the faith placed in you by Muslims world-wide when you were elected as President of the United States.
The students of Gaza need your support. Can they count on you to intervene on their behalf in guaranteeing their right to free passage between Israeli and Egyptian borders to secure the exit visas needed to fulfill their aspirations for a brighter future?
In borrowing from the U.S. education policy otherwise known as, "No Child Left Behind", and in furtherance of the ideals you have previously so eloquently expressed in support of higher education, we implore you today to ensure that, "NO GAZA STUDENT IS LEFT BEHIND."
Sincerely,
SIGN PETITION HERE:
http://tinyurl.com/sign-gaza-student-petition
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Aishah Schwartz
Founder & Director
Muslimah Writers Alliance
1808 Eye Street NW, Suite 147
Washington, D.C. 20006
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THE INDEPENDENT published a story on June 12, 2010 indicating the following: "Although Egypt opened the crossing in the wake of the lethal Israeli commando raid on a pro-Palestinian flotilla last week, apparently to escape some of the blame for the closure, it has restricted passage mainly to students with visas to study abroad, serious medical cases, and those with foreign residency or passports." NOTE: "students with visas" - THAT IS NOT APPLICABLE TO THOSE STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET TO EITHER CAIRO OR JERUSALEM TO COMPLETE REQUIRED PAPERWORK OR SECURE VISAS.
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Sign the 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' Petition
Alternate link to Petition
http://tinyurl.com/sign-gaza-student-petition
DOWNLOAD HIGH RESOLUTION CAMPAIGN IMAGES:
FEMALE VERSION
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MALE VERSION
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RELATED:
Obama Michigan Graduation Speech - Full Text & Video (May 2010)
Remarks by the President on a new Beginning - Cairo University (June 2009)
Inaugural Address of President Barack Obama (January 2009)
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