IDF soldiers take brothers from their home and beat them for hours, October 2006

Details

Written by Nadel Ashtiyeh, greengrocer, Testimony to B'tselem Nadel Ashtiyeh, greengrocer, Testimony to B'tselem

Published: 01 November 2006 01 November 2006

Hits: 7425 7425

The soldiers came and beat us two more times. The last time was really brutal. Three soldiers, one of them the tall one, beat us hard and quick. They kicked us, hit us with their rifle butts, and punched us all over our bodies. Nidal and I stayed next to each other out of fear and pain. This went on for about fifteen minutes. We screamed and asked for help, thinking somebody outside might come and rescue us from the horrible nightmare. The pain was intolerable. I felt as if I were about to die. One of them hit me in the midsection with his rifle and I fell to the floor. He hit me on my right hand and I felt like it was broken. I lost consciousness.

Read more: IDF soldiers take brothers from their home and beat them for hours, October 2006

Israel launches major Gaza raid, 300 Palestinians killed since capture of Israeli soldier.

Details

Written by BBC News BBC News

Published: 01 November 2006 01 November 2006

Hits: 7540 7540

Six Palestinians and one Israeli soldier have been killed in heavy clashes in the northern Gaza Strip.

In one of Israel's biggest raids into Gaza in recent months, troops carried out three air strikes and moved to encircle the town of Beit Hanoun.

More than 35 people were wounded as troops, backed by tanks and helicopter gunships, carried out the raid.

An Israeli military spokesman said the operation was aimed at stopping rocket fire into Israel.

Palestinian leaders have strongly condemned it.

Both the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya, have described the Israeli military action as a massacre.

Read more: Israel launches major Gaza raid, 300 Palestinians killed since capture of Israeli soldier.

Pause for Peace

Details

Written by AHMED YOUSEF, NY Times op-ed AHMED YOUSEF, NY Times op-ed

Published: 01 November 2006 01 November 2006

Hits: 7470 7470

HERE in Gaza, few dream of peace. For now, most dare only to dream of a lack of war. It is for this reason that Hamas proposes a long-term truce during which the Israeli and Palestinian peoples can try to negotiate a lasting peace.

A truce is referred to in Arabic as a “hudna.” Typically covering 10 years, a hudna is recognized in Islamic jurisprudence as a legitimate and binding contract. A hudna extends beyond the Western concept of a cease-fire and obliges the parties to use the period to seek a permanent, nonviolent resolution to their differences.

Read more: Pause for Peace

Refusenik Omri Evron: "Why I can't become a soldier in the IDF"

Details

Written by Amir Tibon, The Electronic Intifada Amir Tibon, The Electronic Intifada

Published: 31 October 2006 31 October 2006

Hits: 7548 7548

Omri Evron, a 19-year-old from Tel-Aviv, is weeks away from earning his B.A. in ethical philosophy from the Tel-Aviv University (TAU). He started studying for this degree when he was still a high-school student.

Omri is known around the campus of TAU as a leading social activist. Last month, for example, he started a petition of university and high-school students from around the country, protesting the exploitation of maintenance and cleaning workers in educational institutions.

At least once a week, Omri visits the Palestinian village of Bili'in, showing his support for the local Palestinian farmers who are campaigning against the Israeli separation wall that separates them from about 50 percent of their lands. In Bili'in, just like in Tel-Aviv, Omri has earned the reputation of a respected human rights activist.

Read more: Refusenik Omri Evron: "Why I can't become a soldier in the IDF"