DALLAS/SEATTLE - The Palestine Chronicle is teaming up efforts with the staff at KinderUSA, (www.kinderusa.org) one of the most reputable US charities working in Palestine, to launch a month long fundraising effort, titled: “Project Humanity: Sending Love and Relief to the Children in Palestine”. During this month, we are aiming to raise $20,000.00, to provide food and other basic necessities to needy families during Ramadan.
In referring to the ongoing anguish endured by Palestinians, Dr. Riad Abdelkarim chairman of KinderUSA said, “We must not only consider the humanitarian consequences of this devastation, but also the psychological affect it is having on the children. Our children are our greatest assets and KinderUSA has made a commitment to do all within our means to enable these innocent children to survive.”
Ramzy Baroud, Editor-in-Chief of the highly respected online publication, The Palestine Chronicle emphasized, “Our responsibility toward Palestine and its people has broadened like never before, because the untold suffering experienced by Palestinians has invited equally untold misery,” He continued, stressing, “ This is not an abstract story, nor is it history that merely merits a sigh of regret and reflection. It is the dim reality of today. But it will become bleaker if we do not step in to show solidarity with those in need.”
Suzanne Russ, Managing Editor of the Palestine Chronicle stressed, “With severe attacks just this week in Gaza and Rafah, and the displacement of thousands of people, including hundreds and hundreds of children, the Palestine Chronicle implores all readers and supporters to give generously and expediently to further the work of KinderUSA.”
“Our subsidiary office in Gaza, KinderPAL, has distributed $50 food vouchers for families to shop at local merchants for immediate food and hygiene needs. There are still more families in need, and with the beginning of Ramadan it is imperative that we meet the tremendous demand. “As long as there is one child going to sleep hungry, we consider our work incomplete,” said Dr. Abdelkarim.
Baroud affirmed Dr. Abdelkarim’s words, saying, “Your donation will ease the pain of a child, will comfort the fears and uncertainty of an orphan, and proclaim that you care enough that you refuse to turn your back on the Palestinian people, indeed, on humanity.”
Russ stressed, “We ask everyone to give to KinderUSA, until it hurts, there is simply no time for mediocrity.”
To show their gratitude, The Palestine Chronicle and KinderUSA will send a “Free Palestine” Button, to donors at the $25.00 level, a “Free Palestine” bumper sticker to donors at the $50.00 level, a copy of Ramzy Baroud’s book “Searching Jenin” to donors at the $100.00 level, and a package of all three items to donors at the $150.00 level.
You can send your tax-deductible donation to KinderUSA online at www.kinderusa.org/baform.asp
Please select “Project Humanity” on the pull-down menu!
You can also donate by sending your check to Kinder USA
P.O. Box 224846
Dallas, Texas 75222-9785
U.S.A
Please note “Project Humanity” in the memo line of your check! Thank you!
For further information, contact Dalell Mohammed at 1-888-451-8908, or email her at kinder@kinderusa.org. Inquiries can be faxed to 972-664-1994.
Or you can contact Suzanne Russ at the Palestine Chronicle at russ@palestinechronicle.com. Inquiries can be faxed to 425-778-9237
The National Campaign for the Protection of Civic Action
Date posted: March 31, 2021
By MIFTAH
No to the undermining of the Basic Law and Rights System
We, the undersigned civil society institutions and coalitions, express our rejection of any tampering with the legal system on the eve of elections. We consider this a means of manipulation that could undercut these elections and limit spaces for civic action, impacting the freedom of opinion, organization, gathering and expression. It is tantamount to a coup against the Palestinian Basic Law and the Declaration of Independence, both of which constitute a social contract between the various components of the Palestinian people until a constitution for the State of Palestine is written.
We call on President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian government to cancel all laws by decree that infringe on public freedoms and the separation of authorities, particularly the Law by Decree, No. 7 of 2021, which confines and stymies the work of civil society institutions and undermines their role in defending the interests of our people and supporting their steadfastness in the face of ethnic cleansing and forced expulsion, in addition to adopting projects that support Palestinian resolve against Israeli annexation plans and encroachment.
We also express our rejection of the Law by Decree, No. 40 of 2020, which infringes on the principle of separation between the authorities and attaches the judicial authority to the executive authority and all laws by decree that limit the independence and freedom of union work.
We, as civil society, have exhausted all means of dialogue with the government to persuade it to renege on the aforementioned laws by decree, with no meaningful response. In particular, the implementation of the Law by Decree No. 7 of 2021 by the Ministry of Interior and any relevant ministry will render all civil society institutions vulnerable to the arbitrariness of the executive authority. It also exposes its executive teams and boards of directors to legal accountability in accordance with this law by decree that runs contradictory to the Basic Law. Therefore, we declare our boycott of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs conference, to be held on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 under the auspices of Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and suspend our participation in joint activities with the government henceforth until the law by decree is cancelled. We also announce as of the start of this week, we will escalate our activities to overturn this law by decree.
We support the mainstreaming of principles of accountability and good governance in all sectors, in accordance with the law and far removed from arbitrariness, the silencing of voices, stifling of freedoms and destruction of civil society institutions. This is so the system of accountability and integrity is capable of operating with efficiency in the defense of our people’s interests, dignity and status among civilized nations. We call on all components of the executive authority to respect the Basic Law and international obligations of the State of Palestine, for which we seek a respectable standing among counties that honor public freedoms.
*The National campaign for the protection of civic action is comprised of a broad-based alliance of civil society coalitions that reject the Law by Decree No. 7 of 2021.
Global call by women leaders against annexation and for peace
Date posted: July 02, 2020
By women leaders
Call signed by over 40 women leaders Heads of State and Government, Ministers, Parliamentary leaders, Nobel Peace Laureates, Senior UN officials and Human Rights figures.
As the UN Charter marks its 75th anniversary, the most protracted conflict in the world is taking a most dangerous turn with the announcement of Israel’s plan to annex large and vital parts of Palestinian territory on the basis of the Trump Middle East plan which contradicts the internationally agreed parameters for peace and international law. Such a move would unravel half a century of efforts for peace in the region and the vision of two sovereign states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, based on the pre-1967 borders, with far-reaching consequences.
It is in this context, and on this 20th anniversary of the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, that Israeli and Palestinian women reminded the world why it was so important to hear and heed the voices of women in situations of conflict. We have received urgent appeals against annexation sent by both Palestinian and Israeli women. Their strong appeals, while separate and distinct, have in common a sense of shared humanity, and a common rejection of subjugation and discrimination, oppression and violence.
Both appeals are grounded in international law and in the landmark resolution 1325 which calls for protection of civilians, notably women and girls, the critical importance of women’s voices and meaningful participation in conflict resolution and peace negotiations, in ensuring durable peace and building a just and hopeful future for both peoples based on respect for international law and accountability.
Their voices resonate as they stress that annexation is an existential threat to Palestinians, to Israelis, to regional stability and to an already fragile global order. We must not leave their appeal unanswered as they ask for our “support and engagement in a global partnership to save the prospect for a just, equal, and lasting resolution to the conflict”, for the well-being of present and future generations. They remind us that we have “the power of our collective will to challenge aggression, coercion, and violence and to end impunity and injustice so freedom and peace can prevail”.
Annexation is a breach of international law and the UN Charter, and of UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. It contravenes the fundamental international norm banning the acquisition of territory by force and aims at perpetuating the illegal Israeli settlement enterprise, entrenching occupation instead of ending it. It will severely jeopardize the prospect of regional peace, security and stability with grave implications for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, but also for Jordan and the wider region. It will fragment Palestinian land and effectively consecrate Palestinian enclaves under permanent Israeli military control.
The dignity and rights of the Palestinian people, the ability of Israel to be an integral and accepted part of the region, regional peace, security and prosperity and the wider international rules-based order are at stake. Annexation cannot go unchallenged, and strong international engagement is more needed than ever, including through effective measures to deter illegal unilateral actions, and achieve just and lasting peace. We support the Palestinian and Israeli women’s call against unilateral annexation and back their efforts to prevent its disastrous consequences. It was conceived almost entirely by men without any reference to the diverse perspectives of women. We must be guided by the humanity and resolve of courageous women who have suffered greatly from the conflict and yet refuse to be blinded by hate. Their words envision the future the region needs and deserves.
MIFTAH Statement
Date posted: August 17, 2019
By MIFTAH
It has come to the attention of the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy, MIFTAH, that it is being targeted by extreme pro-Israeli hasbara groups and individuals who are propagating unfounded accusations and fabrications. We strongly condemn and reject these libelous allegations, which are nothing short of contemptible, against an organization that has been dedicated to global dialogue, good governance and democracy in Palestine for over 20 years. The example used as “evidence” of what is being called MIFTAH’s support for anti-Semitism was the result of a misstep by a junior staffer who inadvertently posted an outside article in Arabic on the organization’s website back in 2013 without having it reviewed. Once MIFTAH’s senior management became aware of the offensive article, they immediately removed it and issued an apology despite the fact that a disclaimer on its website clearly states that articles posted from other sources do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the organization. Nonetheless, a widespread smear campaign instigated and obsessively pursued by vicious hate-filled groups continued against MIFTAH and its founders. This hackneyed campaign is now being rehashed in an orchestrated manner with clear malicious intent.
MIFTAH is and has always been a respected organization both in Palestine and abroad and is known for its contributions to good governance, the empowerment of women and youth, to maintaining open, inclusive and democratic dialogue and to the exchange of ideas. We will not tolerate any attempts at the misrepresentation and defamation of MIFTAH’s good name.
Please find below the statement released by MIFTAH’s senior management on April 1, 2013:
Apology
Date posted: April 01, 2013
By MIFTAH
The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy, MIFTAH would like to apologize for the recent and brief publication on our website of an article penned by Nawaf Al Zaru that discusses Jewish blood libel during Passover.
It has become clear to us after investigating this incident that the article was accidentally and incorrectly published by a junior staff member. The said staffer has been reprimanded and all our staff has been informed as to the disgusting and repulsive phenomena of blood libel or accusation, including its use against Jews. Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, as founder, has nothing to do with the day to day management at MIFTAH and was no way involved in this incident.
We express our sincerest regret for offense caused by the oversight that resulted in said publication. We are whole-heartedly committed to fighting racism, hatemongering, discrimination and persecution of any kind wherever it should exist, and especially in our own society.
Carter: US "In Bed" with Israel
Date posted: October 17, 2002
By The Palestine Chronicle
WASHINGTON (PMC) - Former US President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter on Monday voiced a sharp criticism of President George W. Bush’s ongoing policy in the Middle East, saying the current US administration was mistreating Palestinians while being ‘in bed’ with Israel.
“We’re in bed, you might say with the Israelis and we won’t even talk to the leaders of the Palestinians,” Carter said expressing anger at the Bush administration’s consistent attempts to sideline Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.
In an interview with Sky Radio Network, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate accused Bush of doing very little to bring peace into the Middle East, especially because of Washington’s unequivocal bias towards its chief ally, Israel.
Winning the Nobel Prize was seen as a rebuke of Bush’s administration for its persistent push for a war on Iraq, threatening to drag the entire region into mayhem.
“We’re doing very little,” Carter said of Bush’s attempts to pacify the situation. “As a matter of fact, this administration has basically abandoned any real effort to bring about reconciliation between the Israelis and the Palestinians.”
Speaking on the day he received his prize, the former President stressed the US cannot be seen as a neutral mediator between Palestinians and Israelis.
“You have to be trusted by both sides…you have to deal equally with both sides, we’re not doing that,” Carter said, lamenting what he said was the end of a nearly 30-year US commitment to the Middle East peace process, AFP reported.
“I hope that eventually we will see the error of this procedure and get back into a real mediation role,” he added.
Carter, who was renowned for his peacemaking during and after his time at the White House, unleashed his harsh wordings prior to a visit by Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to Washington, which previously criticized Israel for its persistent killing of Palestinians and the dire humanitarian situation it is inflicting in the occupied Palestinian Territory.
