Category: Human Rights

Israel shuts off water supplies to Occupied West Bank

15/6/2016

"Thirst" No water, no life.

In a particularly nasty move, the company that supplies water to the Occupied West Bank, Mekorot, has cut supplies to the Palestinians. It is ironic that the state owned company would restrict the Palestinians living in the Occupied West Bank yet not cut the flow to the illegal Israeli settlers there.

The Palestinians in cities obtain their water from the Mountain Aquifer which runs under both countries. Some water surfaces as springs or dug wells, but the majority is used by Israel. It is an important source of drinking and irrigation water. Israeli citizens depend on the Mountain Aquifer for about 50% of their drinking water and about 40% of the irrigation water also comes from this aquifer. The River Jordan is another very important water source. The Palestinians are left with about 20% of the Mountain Aquifer flow.

For a relatively few years Israel had an abundance of water, augmented by desalination plants, but it is beginning to experience a shortfall in its needs. Palestinians complain that when water is rationed, they are always hit the hardest. Water usage varies greatly depending on which side of the fence you dwell on. Per capita consumption in Israel is about 350 litres per day, in the Occupied West Bank about 60 litres per day.

According to the UN, 7.5 litres per capita per day is the minimum requirement for most people under most conditions but in some areas of Palestine - where temperatures exceed 35 degrees celsius - the minimum requirement is much higher. Al Jazeera

To add to the water problems in the area, the Mountain Aquifer is vulnerable to surface contamination. Both Israeli and Palestinians contribute pollution in the form of solid waste and sewage. More water is being drawn out than is being replenished.

This is the month of Ramadan which is observed by those of the Muslim Faith. It continues until July 5th. During Ramadan followers are required to refrain from eating and drinking, as well as refrain from personal indulgences during daylight hours instead focussing on their faith and their duty to one another. When daylight fades, they may eat and drink. To deny people in their own land access to adequate water especially during Ramadan, seems very mean spirited.

Read More:
Al Jazeera
Eco Peace Middle East
BBC News

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Mugabe fiddles while Zimbabwe sizzles

28/2/2016

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If they have no bread, let them eat cake

Robert Mugabe is the president of Zimbabwe, the former Southern Rhodesia. He has been president of the country since it achieved independence from Britain. He has ruled the country since 1980. His rule has been marked with vote rigging, mass emigration, human rights abuses and economic decline.

Shortly after achieving independence, Mugabe initiated land seizures from the predominately white farmers. Land was seized or acquired at bargain prices. Under the guise of land reform, many of the farms were turned over to Mugabe cronies. Some land was given to the landless, but lacking the experience and capital, many agricultural enterprises failed. The country moved from a food exporting country to one that imported food.

The country’s staple food crop has failed this year. The super El Nino has caused a drought which has resulted in a 75% failure of the maize crop. Many are poorly fed.

This has not discouraged the ruling elite from throwing a lavish birthday party for the president. Saturday February 27 marked his 92nd birthday celebrations. Mugabe turned 92 in office. A million dollar party was held at the site of Great Zimbabwe. Approximately 50 000 guests were feted. A photo published in The Guardian shows Mugabe and his wife, both very well fed eating cake during the celebration.

The country has declared a state of emergency due to the crop failures. The president has asked the international community to contribute at least USD$1.6 billion to help feed the starving. He has announced that he will only accept aid if it is “no strings attached”. That is in reference to many countries’ objections to his human rights record.

If Mugabe is a normal human, he will not live forever. No doubt many are speculating about who will succeed him. It is unlikely that it will be a smooth transition to a real democracy. Speculation abounds that Mugabe is pushing for his wife, Grace, to succeed as head of state. He elevated her to the head of the Zanu PF women’s wing in 2015. Others are not keen on her.

The pictures of the head of state and his wife eating cake while millions are teetering on starvation brings to mind the famous words of Marie Antoinette.

Sources:
Al Jazeera
The Guardian
News Dze Zimbabwe

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Israeli terrorist calls for burning of Christian churches

24/12/2015

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Interior Church of the Nativity

Opinion
We so often hear about Islamic terrorists while ignoring those who promote terrorism and hatred but purport to follow a different faith.

A right wing Jewish settler has lashed out at the Christians in Israel. He has been quoted as saying that there is no place for the celebration of Christmas in ‘his’ Israel. The exhortation to burn Christian churches in Israel has also been attributed to him. He has called Christians in Israel “blood sucking vampires”.

Benzi Gopstein is the head of an extremist group known as Lahava. Members of this group were implicated in the firebombing and murder of a Palestinian family in their home last summer.

Since the end of the Six Day War in 1967 Israel has occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and controls the Gaza Strip. For many of the Palestinians living in those areas the war has continued over the years.

The state of Israel has gradually taken over much of the occupied land, forcing the Palestinians out of their farms and homes.

The building of massive settlements for Jewish people while building massive walls to keep Palestinians from their land has been condemned by the UN.

The nastiness is not confined to the terrorists living in the occupied territories. In September, Prime Minister Netanyahu made it clear to the world that Israel will not allow people fleeing the Syrian civil war. He announced the building of another massive barrier wall construction to keep the people out. He is quoted below:

"We will not allow Israel to be flooded with illegal migrants and terrorists." Common Dreams

It would behoove those in power in Israel to look to the growing number of fascists within their ranks and extirpate them.

Guided and instigated by far-right ideologues such as Benzion Gopstein and Baruch Marzel, the crowds chanted their usual “Death to Arabs,” “A Jew has a soul, an Arab is a son of a whore,” and other similar malicious slogans. Mondo Weiss

Sources:
Al Jazeera
Wikipedia
Common Dreams
Mondo Weiss

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Planeload of Syrian refugees lands in Canada

11/12/2015

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For some the nightmare is over

Thursday evening saw the first of thousands of Syrian refugees land in Canada via military transport. The refugees left Beirut in a military plane and arrived at Toronto later in the day. Most of the refugees in the were privately sponsored, but the Canadian government is paying for their transportation. In early November 416 refugees arrived but they came in commercial aircraft.

Private individuals, family members or church groups can sponsor refugees, taking on the task of providing for newcomers for the first year in the country. Financially, it is expected to cost around $30 000 per person. Since the crisis has become known, many groups have been fundraising.

Friday, those who are being privately sponsored will be transported to their destination cities. Ontario and Alberta will be hosting the greatest number at this time with 120 in Ontario and 35 destined for Alberta.

Concerns in Canada mounted after the terror attacks in Paris recently, but the federal government maintained their determination to bring in the most vulnerable refugees.

Military personnel were sent to camps in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan to interview prospective immigrants. They were assisted by UN personnel and numerous checks of identity and background were conducted before the refugees were given the green light to emigrate to Canada.

Canada Border Services Agency(CBSA) has worked closely with Pearson Airport officials to bring online a vacant terminal separate from the commercial part of the complex to enhance the ability to further screen new arrivals.

"With our many partners, we have worked to make new arrivals as comfortable as possible, while protecting the integrity of the arrival process," said the CBSA's Regional Director General Goran Vragovic in a news release.

As well as finalizing the paperwork, the new arrivals will be given warm clothing appropriate for their destination.

It may come as a surprise to many that many of the people who live in the camps do not wish to emigrate. Their wish is to return to their own country when peace is achieved.

Those that arrived on Thursday were personally greeted by PM Justin Trudeau who was filmed helping new residents with warm clothes.

Sources:
CBC
CNN

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Syrian refugees in Canada by year end

24/11/2015

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Maple leaves come in many colours

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau told the country of the strategy for bringing in Syrian refugees.

The timeline for transporting and integrating 25000 people has been revamped. Originally, Trudeau promised to bring the refugees in before the end of the year.

While 10000 will be here before year end, the remaining 15000 will be transported in early 2016.

"This is not just about welcoming 25,000 Syrian refugees, this is about welcoming 25,000 new Canadians," he said. CBC

Those coming to Canada are being screened abroad. People currently housed in refugee camps are being interviewed. The emphasis is on families and children. Members of the LGBT communities in Syria are also being considered. Those who are single males or those with a complicated story are not being currently considered for asylum at this time.

The screening process is quite thorough. Candidates must be registered with the UN Refugee Agency or the Government of Turkey. Their identities and papers are thoroughly checked.

While some Canadians are not happy about bringing such a large number of people into the country, many others sincerely support it. The vast majority of refugees who have found a safe haven in Canada have contributed much to the building of a modern nation. The newly elected federal government has a cabinet minister who came to Canada at the age of ten as a refugee.

For those who cannot be immediately housed in private homes will be accommodated temporarily in military housing. Currently, there is housing ready for about 6000 people.

Canadians will start to welcome the Syrians next week. Those who have been privately sponsored will go directly to those homes. Those who are government sponsored will likely head to the military bases and then sent to the 36 “destination cities” for housing and help with integration. The military bases are non-custodial.

Sources:
CBC News
The Globe and Mail

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Israel shuts off water supplies to Occupied West Bank

Mugabe fiddles while Zimbabwe sizzles

Israeli terrorist calls for burning of Christian churches

Planeload of Syrian refugees lands in Canada

Syrian refugees in Canada by year end

Barbara McPherson

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