South Dakota governor signs anti-BDS executive order
Middle East Monitor / January 16, 2020
The Republican governor of South Dakota signed an executive order on Tuesday prohibiting state offices from conducting business with companies boycotting Israel.
The recent move made by Republican, Kristi Noem, has made South Dakota the 28th state to have adopted the anti-BDS law.
“Israel is one...
New train ride in Gaza theme park imitates journey to Jerusalem
Middle East Monitor / January 16, 2020
A new train ride that tours historical sites of Jerusalem’s Old City, including a small building representing the Dome of the Rock Mosque, has opened at the Asdaa City theme park in Gaza, reported The Times of Israel.
The new ride is called ‘The train of Return...
German crackdown on Palestine defenders prompts UN warning
Ali Abunimah
The Electronic Intifada / January 15 2020
UN experts have warned the German government that its tightening crackdown on supporters of Palestinian rights violates freedom of expression.
The five special rapporteurs on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, human rights defenders, human rights in Palestine and freedom of religion sent Germany...
How Israel tortures Palestinians
Tamara Nassar
The Electronic Intifada / January 15, 2020
Israel is committing crimes against humanity by torturing Palestinian detainees, prisoners’ rights group Addameer suggested in a recent report.
Israel’s denial of fair trials to prisoners may also constitute war crimes, the group stated.
Addameer had been collecting evidence on Israel’s use of torture and ill-treatment against...
Calls for Palestinian elections are welcome, but under what conditions ?
Robert Andrews
Middle East Monitor / January 15, 2020
The turn of the year triggers a strong feeling that for change to begin the new decade and year must begin with positive work on the provision of elections in Palestine.
Long overdue following a protracted electoral hiatus, Palestinian legislative and presidential elections...
UN urged to publish database of Israel settlement-complicit businesses
Middle East Monitor / January 15, 2020
Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq has renewed its call for the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to publish its database of businesses complicity in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).
Al-Haq issued its “call for action” ahead of what will be the three-year...
Amnesty demands Israel prevent NSO from exporting spyware to rights abusers
Middle East Monitor / January 15, 2020
Amnesty International has urged Israeli authorities to prevent notorious tech company NSO Group from exporting spyware products to human rights abusers, ahead of a court case starting tomorrow.
A judge at Tel Aviv District Court will tomorrow begin hearing arguments as to why the Israeli...
Palestinian prisoner released after 113 days on hunger strike
Middle East Monitor / January 15, 2020
Palestinian prisoner Ahmad Zahran has been released after spending 113 days on hunger strike in Israeli detention, the head of the Palestinian Commission of Prisoners and ex-Prisoners’ Affairs, Qadri Abu Bakr, announced yesterday.
“Following a 113-day hunger strike Zaher was able to reach an agreement...
UK’s Lord Polak says new Tory government is opportunity for pro-Israel lobbyists
Middle East Monitor / January 15, 2020
A veteran pro-Israel lobbyist in Westminster believes the recently-elected Conservative government represents an important opportunity to advance Israel’s interests amongst British decision-makers.
Lord Polak, a Tory peer, and president of Conservative Friends of Israel, was speaking to right-wing news outlet JNS days after a speech in...
