The Question of Hijab: Suppression Or Liberation?

“Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?” This question is one which is asked by Muslim and non-Muslim alike. For many women it is the truest test of being a Muslim.

The answer to the question is very simple – Muslim women observe HIJAB (covering the head and the body) because Allah has told them to do so.

“O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed…” [Noble Quran 33:59]

Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of looks and sexuality. An Iranian school girl is quoted as saying, “We want to stop men from treating us like sex objects, as they have always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be attentive to our personalities and mind. We want them to take us seriously and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and physical looks.” A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has a good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem; they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman. As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree. A woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality but allowing her femininity to be brought out.

The question of Hijab for Muslim women has been a controversy for centuries and will probably continue for many more. Some learned people do not consider the subject open to discussion and consider that covering the face is required, while a majority are of the opinion that it is not required. A middle line position is taken by some who claim that the instructions are vague and open to individual discretion depending on the situation. The wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) were required to cover their faces so that men would not think of them in sexual terms since they were the “Mothers of the Believers,” but this requirement was not extended to other women.

The word “Hijab” comes from the Arabic word “hajaba” meaning to hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of Hijab is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. The question now is what is the extent of the covering? The Quran says:

“Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands…” [Noble Quran 24:30-31]

These verses from the Quran contain two main injunctions:

A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes, and

the head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom.

Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing that Muslims must wear. However, some requirements must be met. The first of these requirements is the parts of the body which must be covered. Islam has two sources for guidance and rulings: first, the Quran, the revealed word of Allah and secondly, the Hadith or the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) who was chosen by Allah to be the role model for mankind. The following is a Tradition of the Prophet:

“Ayshah reported that Asma’ the daughter of Abu Bakr came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: ‘O Asma’! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not properthat anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to theface and hands.” [Abu Dawud]

The second requirement is looseness. The clothing must be loose enough so as not to describe the shape of the woman’s body. One desirable way to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other clothes. However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is not necessary. Thickness is the third requirement. The clothing must be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of the body. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stated that in later generations of his Ummah there would be

“women who would be dressed but naked and on top of their heads (what looks like) camel humps. Curse them for they are truly cursed.” [Muslim]

Another requirement is an over-all dignified appearance. The clothing should not attract men’s attention to the woman. It should not be shiny and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman. In addition there are other requirements:

Women must not dress so as to appear as men.

“Ibn Abbas narrated: ‘The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the men who appear like women and the women who appear like men.’” [Bukhari]

Women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers.

The clothing should be modest, not excessively fancy and also not excessively ragged to gain others admiration or sympathy.

Often forgotten is the fact that modern Western dress is a new invention. Looking at the clothing of women as recently as seventy years ago, we see clothing similar to Hijab. These active and hard-working women of the West were not inhibited by their clothing which consisted of long, full dresses and various types of head covering. Muslim women who wear Hijab do not find it impractical or interfering with their activities in all levels and walks of life. Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the total being. The basic requirement of the Muslim woman’s dress apply to the Muslim man’s clothing with the difference being mainly in degree. Modesty requires that the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it be tight or provocative. A Muslim should dress to show his identity as a Muslim. Men are not allowed to wear gold or silk. However, both are allowed for women.

For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a restriction but rather a way in which society will function in a proper, Islamic manner.

(Facebook / 02.06.2012)

#Floriade2012 | Israel’s Facade at the Floriade!

Without any shame Israel currently has erected a facade at World Expo Floriade 2012 and boasting about it’s ‘achievements’ in agricultural and water development. Not only this: It allows it’s visitors to design “imaginative fruit, vegetables and flowers” For each ‘creation’ Israel will donate 100 seeds “to end ‘hunger‘.

So it’s about time, the Dutch  who are apparently hosting apartheid and the visitors of this “fair” learn to know the real meaning of “fair” and “unfair“

According to the website of Floriade Israel is showing videos of the following:

“Around the pavilion’s entrances we will present 4 videos displaying Israel and its achievements in 4 different areas: Water (fighting desertification), Agriculture, Tel Aviv and History”

Israel showing off so called developments of horticultural and agricultural, environmental technologies, also aided by the Dutch government is far from developing other than it’s own‘acquired’ by theft and looted lands, ,exploited and all, which is not exploitable or fit for annexation, pollute, burn down, uprooting and even worse. With no intention of developing or aiding this environment, nor this world, and least of all end famine or thirst but the opposite. It deploys all of these “policies” to develop new ways and methods to deploy them as tools of ethnic cleansing:

• Facts | Since 1967, Israel has destroyed 2,5 million trees (fruit and olive trees) |Report,  Page 31
• Facts | Only 5% of Gaza’s water is fit for human consumption due to Israeli policies and siege | Reports
• Facts | Dams are being flooded deliberately in Gaza to cause damage to the environment and harass the people of Gaza | Photos
• Facts | In the West Bank, illegal settlers deliberately flood their sewage on Palestinian lands | Report
• Facts | These policies, or restrictions on allowing repair materials cause a health hazard for aquifiers do not work | Research EWash
• Facts | 85% of Palestine’s water has been stolen or demolished by Israeli occupation |Report
• Facts | A complete list of by Israel destroyed water structures since 2009 | List
• Facts | Israel is systematically depriving Palestine from water which is a human right |Website Right to Water
• Facts | Hundreds of Palestine’s villages have been vanished from the earth to make the desert bloom, every red dot on this map is a village which has been eradicated to “develop” | Map
• Facts | Which is called: Greenwashing Apartheid . read it all in the Anti-Zionist Network’s ebook | PDF EBook
• Facts | To make “the desert bloom” currently almost 57.000 bedouin are being uprooted in Negev Desert and Jordan Valley | Facts & Documentary
• Facts | Hence development: Israel is even poisoning Palestinian grapevines | Report
• Facts | Aside from poisoning land Israel also damages land with nuclear and chemical weapons | Special Topic
• Facts | All the EU aid going to projects for Palestine: Those project are systematically being destroyed by Israel | Report by Daan Bouwens

Dutch Complicity

Now the Dutch, hosting this UN”FAIR” are complicit in many aspects of these ongoing de-developing issues for Palestine. For as Minister Verhagen calling Israel a close ally in his latest speech in Israel,  has been granting technology to Israel as well as tax money and all assistance possible for the big Israeli gas looting in Palestine’s off shore waters, for placing electronic sensors on leaves of plants rooted in stolen soil, even supports Gaza with aid for exports which never leave the Gaza Strip.

Carnages, destined for exports are being eaten by donkeys and cows for Israel does not allow them out. But when Jewish holidays fear a lack of palm fronds, all of a sudden all borders can be opened to import them from Gaza.

So why you didn’t know all of this? Simply because Maxime Verhagen and Uri Rosenthal (#UriNeverLies!) maintain the Dutch motto “Ignorance is Bliss”:  “Wat niet weet wat niet deert”

By withholding facts, being a mouthpiece for israeli occupation and mainly by blocking any report about such violations and even using the Dutch veto to block a EU report exposing such.

The Netherlands blocked an EU Report about Israeli settler violence.  Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dries van Agt and his @TheRightsForum published it and broke the silence, although I doubt many of the Europeans comprehend the complicity and consequences of their ignorance, for aid goes on, silence too, enabling Israel to continue it’s deprivation and development of own serving techniques beyond any comprehension and surely not for the cause which is now again, showed off at the Floriade!

Israel pretending to End Hunger…

The poster on the image depicting “Helping End Hunger” is quite appalling knowing these facts:

• Facts | Israel deliberately starves Gazans. It even tried to go to supreme court to prevent exposure  of documents which expose near starvation policies.
• Facts | Last night of the writing of this post, extremist settlers torched a 1000 year old olive tree | Resource
• Facts | Last week settlers were caught red handed on video torching olive fields | Video
• Facts | Recent report showed that infringement and deprivation of fuel also causes damage to Palestinian agriculture | Report
• Facts | The whole collection of united deprivation methods developed by Israel are creating a true Warsaw ghetto version 2012 in Gaza | Report
• Facts | More and more infants are suffering mal nutrition in Gaza due to the siege imposed by Israel | Irin 2009 report | WHO report 2010 | Terre des Hommes Report 2012

So this ”Small Touch” and “End Hunger” – hasbara campaign is far beyond realistic. It’s appalling. It’s policies not only cause daily suffering but permanent damage to environment and health as well. Already world’s NGO’s speak of health and environmental disasters while in all silence, it allows Israel to exhibit it’s propaganda totally ignoring the facts.

Not only settlers, also the army is structurally destroying agricultural developed lands of Palestinians in Gaza as well as in the West Bank, damaging not only environment but also the economy and food/trade supplies of Palestine, literally all means are deployed to make Palestinians tired and make or force them to leave.

A Final Word: Know your ‘ charitable friends’

“Innovation can be found in aspects such as a system that treats rainwater in an alternative way without using any artificial energy or chemicals. The Hidden Garden portrays the tranquility and special atmosphere of the country of Israel.” Web Floriade 2012

Hidden yes. Not the garden at the Floriade but the hidden lies.  A shameless and almost pornographic display of so called altruims at cost of the nation of Palestine, it’s heritage, culture, properties and health.  For sure, no portray of tranquility and the special atmosphere of ethnic cleansing in the “country of Israel” which is build on the ruins and blood of Palestine.

At the expo “A huge impressive globe displays information about Israel’s connection to different countries.” so you easily can recognize the countries, complicit in these lies and aiding Israel by practical means, your tax-money or their silence to sustain this Apartheid.

Act!

Boycott the Floriade.
Boycott Israeli Goods.
Do not support genocide nor apartheid.

Act against the destruction of Palestine’s water-resources, health hazards, environmental damage, uprooting of trees, demolitions of livelihoods and economical damage done to Palestinians. And most important: Share this information and end the ignorance and lies about Israel’s so called repairing of this world.


More information about Israel’s exploitation of Palestine and the boycott-movement against Israeli goods can be found here:

• BDS Manual | PDF
• Frequently Asked Questions about BDS | FAQ
• Factsheet| BDS
• BDS | on Youtube
• BDS | BDS Movement
• BDS | BDS Nederland
• BDS | Boycot Israel
• BDS | In Minds
• BDS | Mona Baker’s Page
• BDS | MyLinksPage
• BDS | The Big Campaign
• Campaign | Boycot 729

(occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com / 02.06.2012)

“Te weinig gezaghebbende moslims in Nederland”

Ayhan Tonca is jarenlang één van de belangrijkste woordvoerders van de Nederlandse moslimgemeenschap geweest. Maar hij is ook een rasechte CDA’er, die het in verkiezingstijd niet nalaat om ook de eigen partij kritisch te bekijken. Een gesprek over elite, verkiezingen en de toekomst van het islamdebat in Nederland.

U bent jarenlang ‘het gezicht’ geweest van de moslimgemeenschap in Nederland, vooral ten tijde van de moorden op Fortuyn en Van Gogh. Hoe kijkt u hierop terug?
“Het was voor mij een hele drukke en enerverende tijd. Na 11 september was het voor moslims moeilijk om hun gezicht te laten zien en hun stem te laten horen. Er waren destijds heel veel verschillende organisaties. We hebben het na jaren voor elkaar gekregen een koepelorganisatie voor moslims op te richten, waar ik jarenlang voorzitter en woordvoerder van was. Die organisatie zijn we na 11 september 2001 gestart, en voor het goed en wel op poten stond waren we drie jaar verder.”

Waarom zien we u nu veel minder in de media?
“Wij hebben binnen het Contactorgaan Moslims en Overheid (CMO) gekozen voor een roulerend voorzitterschap. In de beginperiode was het belangrijk dat er iemand heel nadrukkelijk in de media verscheen en was ik er trots op dat ik dat mocht doen. Maar bestuursfuncties zijn uiteindelijk maar tijdelijk. En ja, om veel in de media te verschijnen moet je natuurlijk wel een functie hebben! Ik moet wel zeggen dat het voorzitterschap me destijds enorm veel energie en tijd heeft gekost. Voor korte tijd kun je het opbrengen. Op de achtergrond ben ik natuurlijk nog wel actief in de moslimgemeenschap. Ik denk dat het uitstekend is dat we een zeer gevarieerde moslimgemeenschap hebben, maar aan de andere kant vind ik dat het ook wel een zeker nadeel heeft. Voor de samenleving kan het lastig zijn dat er een roulerend voorzitterschap is. De ervaring die je na een jaar of drie hebt opgedaan, pakt een nieuwe voorzitter niet zomaar op.”

Kan een volk zonder elite goed functioneren?
“Ik denk wel dat een volk leiders nodig heeft, mensen die het durven om voor de troepen uit te lopen en die troepen richting te geven. Dat heeft de moslimgemeenschap in Nederland bijvoorbeeld hard nodig en dat mis ik nog wel eens. Er is niet echt sprake van een moslimelite in Nederland trouwens. Er zijn wel leiders, maar dat is binnen de gemeenschap zelf. We hebben in Nederland nog te weinig mensen die zoveel gezag hebben om namens de gehele moslimgemeenschap te kunnen spreken. Nu is dat ook lastig in verband met de grote variatie in islamstromingen in Nederland. Ik denk dat elk land mensen nodig heeft die bereid zijn om risico’s te nemen, durf te tonen. Met name in deze tijd van economische crisis is dat nodig. Op dit moment heb je grote leiders nodig die de koers voor de komende decennia gaan uitstippelen. Ik zie niet zo een twee drie mensen optreden die een vanzelfsprekende leiderschapsrol op zich nemen. Iemand als Obama, die miljoenen mensen kan mobiliseren, hebben we helaas in Nederland niet.”

Wie zijn volgens u de ‘talenten’ – de toekomstige elite – van deze tijd als het gaat om de moslimgemeenschap in Nederland?
“Ik kan niet direct namen noemen. Wel zie ik bij de jongere generaties, die hier zijn geboren en getogen, zoveel talent dat ze zeker iets voor Nederland en de moslimgemeenschap kunnen betekenen. Ik denk dat het noodzakelijk is, met name vanuit de moslimgemeenschap, om eigen instituten te hebben. We hebben instituten nodig om imams en intellectuelen op te leiden. Het talent is er, dus dat moet mogelijk zijn.”

Hebben we over 10 jaar een ander islamdebat dan nu in Nederland?
“Ik denk dat we tegen die tijd qua islamdebat in een veel rustiger vaarwater terecht zijn gekomen en heel nadrukkelijk zien dat de islam een volwaardig onderdeel van de Nederlandse samenleving is. Er zijn hele goede voorbeelden die aantonen dat de islam niet een vreemde dreiging uit het Oosten is, maar een religie die volwaardig en vreedzaam in de Nederlandse samenleving functioneert. Ik denk dat we in 10 jaar een grote stap voorwaarts hebben gezet, al kan het totale proces nog wel enkele generaties duren. Nu ben ik ben wel erg optimistisch, hoor. Ik hoop dat de islamtraditie evenredig wordt aan joods-christelijke traditie. Sterker nog, ik ben ervan overtuigd dat de islamtraditie dezelfde waarden en oorsprong heeft als de joods-christelijke traditie.”

Bent u het als CDA-er eens met Balkenende dat een regering met de PVV zeer onwaarschijnlijk is?
“Ik heb dat altijd al gezegd. Het lijkt me vanwege inhoudelijke politieke gronden zeer onwaarschijnlijk dat het CDA met de PVV gaat regeren. De PVV is niet democratisch, het is een eenmansclub. De manier waarop die partij bevolkingsgroepen tegen elkaar ophitst is bovendien funest voor onze samenleving en onze toekomst. Angst is een slechte raadgever. Ik zie een regering met de PVV als onmogelijk en onwenselijk.”

Wat is voor u het belangrijkste verkiezingsonderwerp en waarom?
“Hoe gaan we Nederland opnieuw inrichten? We hebben het alleen maar over bezuinigingen. Alles wordt op dit moment wel erg door geld gedreven. Maar we hebben juist een grote transformatie van de samenleving nodig. We moeten op zoek naar nieuwe verhoudingen tussen overheid en burger. De onderliggende oorzaak van de afgelopen crisis ligt in het systeem. Politici hebben het alleen maar over geld en bezuinigingen, terwijl ik ze over het systeem juist heel weinig hoor. Ik zie weinig visie, ook binnen mijn eigen partij. Het is allemaal geldgestuurd. Geen totaalvisie. Ik begrijp waarom het zo gaat, omdat er in de verkiezingsstrijd vragen over worden gesteld. Bij het wetenschappelijk instituut ligt voldoende materiaal. Daar wordt nog weinig mee gedaan. Het is de dagelijkse politiek die daar veel meer notie van zou moeten nemen. Het partijbestuur zou dat veel nadrukkelijker moeten oppakken.”

(Stukje historie …. / www.nieuwwij.nl / 02.06.2012)

FM urges support to countries hosting Syrian refugees

Doha, June 2 (Petra) — Foreign Minister, Nasser Judeh, on Saturday called for supporting and assisting countries hosting Syrian refugees including Jordan and stressed that humanitarian aid should be delivered to refugees inside Syria also.

Speaking at an extraordinary Arab League (AL) foreign ministers meeting to discuss Syria and Sudan, Judeh said the AL-UN Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan’s 6-point plan sets the ground towards a political solution to the crisis in a manner that spares the blood of the Syrian people and preserves their country’s territorial integrity.

The minister renewed Jordan’s rejection of any foreign military intervention in Syria.

Judeh also took part in an Arab Peace Initiative Committee meeting during which Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, briefed the meeting on the latest Palestinian national reconciliation efforts.

(petra.gov.jo / 02.06.2012)

Egyptian President Ousted During Arab Spring Is Sentenced to Life in Prison

 Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president who was ousted from office during an uprising last year, was sentenced by a judge Saturday to life in prison for the killing of unarmed protesters during what has become known as the Arab Spring.

Social media played a key role in the uprising that began in January 2011 on the Day of Rage — a protest of Mubarak’s 30-year rule. It acted as a means of large-scale organization, coming together partly because of a Facebook Page, and also as an amplifier for the events happening within the country, even as the government tried to shut down access. YouTube and Flickr showed images of the escalating violence in late January 2011.

Two weeks after the protests began, Mubarak resigned. Saturday’s news of his life sentence may be the greatest achievement of the uprising, says the New York Times; yet, the country still awaits the election of a new president, the ratification of a new constitution and the end of military rule.

The judge Saturday dismissed on technical grounds corruption charges against Mubarak and his sons. According to the New York Times, angry protesters had gathered in Tahrir Square to protest the ruling, which may not survive an appeal.

آدم@adamakary

The ones waiting for justice more than anyone else#MubarakTrial #Egypt pic.twitter.com/robGLDCp

2 Jun 12

A woman mourns for the youth who have lost their lives. (mashable.com / 02.06.2012) 

In Bahrain, life in prison just for protesting

• 

Bahraini Shiite Muslim women hold posters calling for the release of jailed opposition leader Ibrahim Sharif during an anti-government rally in the village of Muqsha, west of Manama, on May 21, 2012. Sectarian tension keeps rising in the tiny Gulf kingdom as the Shiite majority continues to call the ruling Sunni dynasty for political and social reforms.

NEW YORK — “Of course we have free speech in Bahrain,” the official told me. “But you cannot ask to change the government — that’s a crime.” While it was striking to hear a government representative speak so candidly, it wasn’t exactly news.

Having extensively researched criminal trials in Bahrain, the island nation off Saudi Arabia’s coast, I knew this perverse understanding of “free speech” has been the basis for hundreds of prosecutions against peaceful protesters and activists, often leading to lengthy prison sentences.

On May 16, authorities initiated the latest such prosecution, opening the trial of Nabeel Rajab, a prominent human rights defender, on charges of “offending an official body.” The relevant offense, according to the government, was caused when Rajab criticized authorities via Twitter for not prosecuting attacks by armed groups against civilians.

Such charges, which once would have perhaps seemed satirical, are by now just commonplace. Indeed, over a year ago, amid massive pro-democracy demonstrations, Bahrain’s king established special military courts, called National Safety Courts. These courts convicted hundreds of people for engaging in peaceful protest and assembly activities that are protected by international law and Bahrain’s constitution — or would be if courts actually applied the constitution.

For example, in a high-profile case against 21 activists and opposition figures, the military court sentenced eight defendants to life terms, 10 others to 15-year terms, and three to shorter terms. What manner of conduct led to these severe punishments?

According to the verdict, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, a human rights advocate and protest leader, had “advocated the overthrow of the regime” by protesting in favor of a republic, as well as “a willingness to sacrifice, disobedience, a general strike, and marches.” Prosecuters also charged that he had “insulted the army” and “impugned the integrity of the judiciary.”

Hassan Mushaima, another opposition leader given a life term, had advocated “marches, demonstrations and civil disobedience” to call for the “establishment of a democratic republic,” according to the verdict. The court sentenced Ali Abduleman, a prominent blogger, to five years in prison (in absentia) even though its verdict did not cite a single piece of evidence against him.

The special military courts also convicted 20 doctors and medical personnel of transparently political offenses, such as joining in “slogans and chants” that expressed “hatred and contempt for the governing regime.” Nada Dhaif, an oral surgeon, was sentenced to 15 years because she participated in a sit-in, took part in an International Women’s Day march, and assisted with a medical tent that treated protesters. Deya Ja’far, a nurse, was convicted in part because she allegedly stepped on a photograph of Bahrain’s prime minister. And the court convicted Fatima Haji, a rheumatologist, for allegedly asking Manchester United’s manager to observe a moment’s silence before a match.

Last June, after intense international criticism of the government’s general crackdown on protesters, the king appointed the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, consisting of five international human rights experts. On Nov. 23, the commission issued a 489-page report, which concluded that authorities had committed systematic human rights violations. The commission also called for judicial review of military court verdicts, which, the commissioners explained, meant that the government should free those convicted for peacefully exercising internationally recognized rights.

This call has gone unheeded as the ongoing prosecution of Nabeel Rajab for tweeting demonstrates. Moreover, a civilian appeals court is now engaged in what has alternately been termed an appeal and a retrial in the case of the doctors and medical personnel. But in that proceeding, the government continues to prosecute defendants against whom the only evidence offered involves peaceful political protest and providing medical care, and the civilian court has yet to order the dismissal of charges against these defendants.

Recently, Bahrain’s highest civilian court ordered a retrial in the case of the 21 activists, even though the record is devoid of any evidence of any conduct that could legitimately be called criminal. It is not clear when this retrial will occur, but the defendants, including Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who is reported just recently to have ended a hunger strike that began in February, will await those proceedings in jail, where they have been for over a year.

So, we will wait and see what happens when al-Khawaja and his co-defendants are prosecuted again for asking to live in a republic rather than a monarchy. We also will wait and see if “Offending by Twitter” is actually a crime in Bahrain — it probably is.

(www.globalpost.com / 02.06.2012)

Arab foreign ministers’ panel approves Palestinian aid

Doha, June 2 (Petra) — The Arab Peace Initiative Committee on Saturday approved $100 million as a financial safety net for the Palestinians in case Israel stopped transferring tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas briefed the ministerial committee meeting in Doha, chaired by Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jaber Al Thani and attended by Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, on next peace moves with Israel.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told reporters that the ministers had agreed on Abbas’s request for the aid package and asked Arab League Secretary General Nabil Elaraby to follow up on the matter with Arab countries.

Erekat also said that Fatah and Hamas groups will meet in Cairo on Tuesday to resume talks in an attempt to patch up their feuds, adding that reconciliation is a top Palestinian priority.

“If we do not help ourselves no one would ever help us,” he said, adding that moving forward while the divisions exist would be hard.

(petra.gov.jo / 02.06.2012)

Report: Sudanese man beaten unconscious in Tel Aviv

A group of African men sit on the ground after being detained by Israel’s military for crossing illegally into Israel from Egypt.

TEL AVIV, Israel (Ma’an) — A Sudanese man was seriously wounded overnight Saturday after being assaulted in Tel Aviv, Israeli media reported.

The man was found unconscious at 4 a.m. in south Tel Aviv with multiple injuries across his body, Israeli news site Ynet said.

Police said they arrested a 48-year-old Tel Aviv resident on suspicion of assault.

The assault appears to be the latest in a string of racially motivated attacks following mass anti-migrant rallies in Tel Aviv last week.

Earlier this week, a Sudanese hotel worker was severely beaten by seven hotel guests in Eilat after he refused to give them towels which were reserved for other guests, Ynet reported.

Two of the attackers were detained for questioning before being released.

Last week, over 1,000 people protested in Tel Aviv calling for African migrants to be deported in a rampage that an Israeli broadcaster dubbed a “pogrom.”

In early May, two firebombs were thrown at the south Tel Aviv home of African residents.

In late April, firebombs were thrown at a kindergarten and apartments used by the African community. A 20-year-old Israeli resident of the neighborhood was questioned by police about the attacks.

Fleeing poverty, fighting and authoritarian rule, some 60,000 Africans have crossed illegally into Israel through the relatively porous desert border with Egypt in recent years.

(www.maannews.net / 02.06.2012)

10 Israeli warplanes violate Lebanese airspace Israeli warplanes

Ten Israeli warplanes have violated Lebanon’s airspace and flown over the country in flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, Press TV reports.

end note–remember as you read this, that Israel considers Lebanon to be part of GREATER ISRAEL, as outlined in the Bible–

…On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abraham, saying “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river Euphrates”… Genesis, 15:18

God spoke unto us saying, ‘Go to the hill-country and all the places nigh thereunto… in the Arabah, the hill-country and in the Lowland… in the South and by the sea-shore, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates…Go in therefore and possess the land which the Lord swore unto your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, unto them and to their seed after them… Deuteronomy 1:6–8

Every place whereon the sole of your foot shall tread shall be yours, from the wilderness, and Lebanon, from the river Euphrates, even unto the hinder sea shall be your border…Deuteronomy 11:24

…From the wilderness, and this Lebanon, even unto the great river, the Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border…Joshua 1:4

According to a statement issued by the Lebanese army on Friday, 10 Israeli warplanes violated Lebanese airspace at different stages, beginning at 9:38 a.m. local time, a Press TV correspondent in Beirut reported.

The statement said that the Israeli aircraft entered Lebanon above the southern border and flew over several Lebanese territories before leaving at 11:20 a.m. local time.

Israel violates Lebanon’s airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes.

Lebanon’s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of UN Resolution 1701 and the country’s sovereignty.

UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war of aggression Israel launched against Lebanon in 2006, calls on Tel Aviv to respect Beirut’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In 2009, Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, presenting over 7,000 documents on pertaining to Israeli violations of Lebanese territory.

(theuglytruth.wordpress.com / 02.06.2012)

Hollande and Putin meet for first time, clash on Syria

A short meeting to acquaint the new presidents of France and Russia was dominated by the question of Syria, with Francois Hollande demanding that the Syrian leader steps down.

But Hollande was not successful in his efforts to win support for sanctions from Vladimir Putin, who warned of provoking a civil war, as the West has done in Iraq and Libya.

Hollande’s declaration seems to definitively end France’s longtime support of the Assad family, but few had expected Putin to be pushed into ending Russia’s decades-old alliance with Syria.

Also discussed was limiting nuclear proliferation, Russian objections to NATO’s missile system in Eastern Europe and a reciprocal visit to Russia by Hollande in the near future.

Drastic differences on Syria have started relations between the two newly-installed presidents on the wrong foot, but the coming years will see Hollande and Putin working together on virtually every issue that affects the global balance of power.

(www.presstv.ir / 02.06.2012)