A Q S A N E W SFriends of Al-Aqsa newspaper since 1997

Israeli soldiers attack journalists in the West Bank

Egypt floods Gaza’s tunnels with seawater

Palestinian rights supporter wins leadership of UK party

News

Harsher punishments for Palestinian stone

throwers

PAGE 3

News

Netanyahu’s visit to the UK sparks

protests

PAGE 5

Special Feature

Attacks at the Sacred Al-Aqsa

PAGE 6

Recipe

Manakish

PAGE 14

Culture

Palestinian Museum to open in the West

Bank by 2016

PAGE 15

Travel to Palestine

Volunteer in Palestine

PAGE 16

AQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015 /foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

2 3 5

Boycott CampaignsBDS victory in Iceland’s capital

Page 22

Tensions mount in Jerusalem Fears of third intifada in Palestine

In recent weeks, ten-sions have been rapidly increasing in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Vio-lent confrontations at Al-Aqsa, sparked by the daily trespass by extremist Is-raeli settlers accompanied by fully armed soldiers and police have created an ex-tremely volatile situation.

During Eid al-Adha, Pal-estinians were restricted from worshipping at Al-Aqsa, and Israel has been limiting access to Muslim worshippers allowing only males over 50 and women to enter the mosque. Numerous scenes of con-frontations and attacks on Palestinians outside the mosque walls have been posted up on social media.

Since the end of Sep-tember, Israel has used

excessive force against Palestinians, including a number of extrajudicial killings. During October, over 60 Palestinians were killed and over 2,000 were injured by live ammuni-tion and rubber-coated steel bullets. Many of those killed posed no threat, and much of the injured were protesting against Israeli violations.

Social media has been pivotal in capturing what is happening on the ground. Graphic images and vid-eos have been circulating online, which have left many wondering if we are witnessing the 3rd intifada unfold, with Palestinians no longer able to suppress themselves against contin-ued attack.

NEW FRIENDS OF AL-AQSA WEBSITE COMING SOON

2 INSIDE PALESTINEAQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015 /foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

‘Price-tag’ attacksThe impunity of extremist

illegal Israeli settlers

On Friday 31 July, Ali Dawabsha, an 18-month-old Palestinian infant, was burnt to death by extremist Israeli settlers who attacked his home as his family slept. While the world grappled with this atrocious crime, for Palestinians this represent-ed yet another attack which had gone unpunished.

Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, denounced the murder as a “war crime”, and blamed Israel. Why blame a state for the actions of a few extremist citizens? The simple answer is that Israel has for years allowed settler violence against Pal-estinians to go unpunished despite the nature of the atrocious attacks, and the misery brought upon Pal-

estinians by these extrem-ists spreading terror in the West Bank. The so-called ‘price tag’ attacks are carried out by illegal settlers who have no respect for any law, whether Israeli or interna-tional. They include murder; physical assaults ranging from serious injury to spit-ting in the faces of babies; uprooting hundreds of fruit trees and burning entire or-chards.

The settlers in the West Bank are often armed and can be extremely violent; yet they are protected by the heavily armed IDF. Palestin-ians facing settler violence on the other hand, do not re-ceive IDF protection despite soldiers often watching the attacks according to eye wit-

ness testimonies. The lack of arrest and prosecution of ex-tremist settlers has resulted in an increase in violence against Palestinians. The Molotov cocktail thrown into the Dawabsha family home at 1.30am at night was an-other act of extreme violence against Palestinians, with no regard for the obvious harm that would be caused.

The murder of Ali Dawab-sha is not an isolated case, but rather a manifestation of Israel’s apartheid and racist system. As long as Israel con-tinues to support and fund its illegal settlement activity in the West Bank, and fails to prosecute settlers for the daily violence they inflict on Palestinians, the greater the violence becomes.

Israeli soldiers attacks journalists in the West BankNew video footage shot

by Palmedia shows Israe-li soldiers attacking two Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalists. The soldiers were seen smashing and de-stroying equipment during a demonstration in the West Bank.

Andrea Bernardi, an Ital-

ian journalist, was forcefully thrown to the ground and stabbed in the side with a weapon, according to AFP. Bernardi suffered bruised ribs and an injury beneath his eye and received hospital treatment after the attack.

The two journalists had arrived in the village of Beit

Furik near Nablus to cover a demonstration after the funeral of a Palestinian who had died after being shot by Israeli security forces.

AFP has protested to the Israeli military over the un-provoked attack and intends on filing an official com-plaint.

In the latest act of sense-less violence, Israeli forces in Hebron repeatedly shot a 17-year old girl, Hadeel al-Hashlamon at a check point. Eyewitnesses reported that the soldiers then prevented medics from reaching her, leaving Hadeel to bleed from her wounds. This is verified by video and photo-graphic evidence which has since emerged. When she eventually reached hospital,

doctors were unable to save her.

Israeli officials claimed that Hadeel attempted to stab a solider using a knife and this led to her being shot in the legs. However, Youth Against Settlements group released photos showing Hadeel posed no threat to the soldiers con-firming that the Israeli ac-counts were deliberate lies.

Amnesty International

stated the killing of 18-year old Hadeel al-Hashlamoun by Israeli soldiers was an “extrajudicial execution.”

Hadeel’s murder is not an isolated case, and Israeli soldiers continue to act with impunity. Calls are be-ing made for this crime to be properly investigated. However, past precedent suggests no one will be charged for the death of this Palestinian teen.

Hebron

Amnesty labels killing of Hadeel al-Hashlamon an ‘extrajudicial execution’

21-year-old Diyaa Abdul Halim Talahmah was shot by Israeli forces in Hebron in September during pro-tests in Hebron which were violently quelled by Israeli forces.

The Israeli army claimed that Diyaa died while throw-ing an improvised explosive device that exploded pre-maturely. This account, like many other testimonies

from Israeli soldiers, does not stand up to scrutiny. Palestinian eyewitnesses said the soldiers shot Diyaa, which was verified by medi-cal officials who examined his body. This has led to a great deal of anger amongst the local people.

This is not the first time that false reports have been made by Israeli army officials. The Israeli

human rights organisation, B’tselem, have accused the army of whitewashing the murders of hundreds of in-nocent Palestinian civilians. Israel’s failure to investigate such crimes has led to a great deal of anger amongst the Palestinian population, who are continuously de-nied recourse to justice.

INSIDE PALESTINE 3AQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015/foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

Israel has passed new laws allowing dispropor-tionate use of force and measures against Palestin-ians stone throwers.

Netanyahu announced

“significant fines” would be imposed on Palestinian chil-dren who throw stones and other objects, as well as for their parents. The measures will impose a minimum of

4-years in prison for minors. Israeli soldiers have also been given permission to use live ammunition against Palestinian stone throwers. Israel has previously ap-

proved laws that impose up to 20 years in prison for Pal-estinians throwing rocks at moving vehicles.

Palestinian children throw stones as an act of de-

fiance against an occupation force which is suppressing their rights to life, freedom and liberty at every level. No modern democracy in the world responds to defiant

children with live bullets. In 2014, 12 Palestinian

minors were shot and killed by Israeli forces during pro-tests in the West Bank.

Egypt floods Gaza’s tunnels with seawater

Egyptian military have been transferring Mediterra-nean Sea water to the Rafah border in order to fill a new-ly-built crude canal. This has resulted in the flooding and destruction of Gaza’s lifeline tunnels, connecting Gaza to Egypt.

There are currently 1.8 million people living in Gaza, who use these tunnels for the basic essentials denied to them by the 9-year Israeli blockade. The blockade has resulted in unprecedented poverty in Gaza. Recent UN

reports estimate Gaza will be made uninhabitable by 2020. The international community has failed to re-spond to this grim forecast.

Gaza has also been suffer-ing from a shortage of clean water leading to long-term problems. Mayor of Rafah, Subhi Radwan confirmed that the Sea water is causing damage and destruction and is leaking into Gaza’s aqui-fer. He is concerned that the water shortage could lead to the forced migration of the local population.

Harsher punishments for Palestinian stone throwers

4 GLOBAL NEWSAQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015 /foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

Palestine’s first professional basketball playerSani Sakakini is Pales-

tine’s first professional bas-ketball player and hopes to become the first Palestinian to play in the NBA.

“I am trying to prove to people in my country that I am trying to build something from nothing,” Sani Sakakini says.

Sakakini grew up in the occupied West Bank in the city of Ramallah. At the young age of 26 he has al-ready played three seasons in China, which helped him fund his trip to the Unit-ed States to impress NBA scouts.

Jerry Settle, Palestine’s basketball coach states, ““He is interested in doing what is the best for everyone. He hasn’t run off and left his people. He knows where he’s from. He’s been trying to help the people of Palestine and teach them the game. He’s trying to change a cul-ture.”

From Gaza to Oxford:Persistence triumphs over tyranny

As I prepare to leave the UK to return to Gaza, my mind is a jumble of thoughts. When I originally filed my visa application so that I could study in the UK, my mind was a mess. I was chas-ing a dream and agonising

over whether it was going to come true. In the month before I finally arrived on June 18, I was fed up and exhausted as I completed applications and tried to follow the right procedures to get permission to leave

Gaza. I wondered, “should I keep trying to get out of Gaza when it seems impossible, or just give up my dream?”

It was two years ago that I was accepted into a clinical training program at Oxford University. Until then, I never

believed that some dreams do come true. I couldn’t be-lieve I would actually have the chance to visit and train at one of the greatest uni-versities in the world. Eve-ryone told me I didn’t have the slightest chance of be-ing accepted, so when I was, I couldn’t believe it. I was among just 50 students from all over the world to be se-lected for this training at Ox-ford. It is only a two-month course, but let’s face it, it was a once-in-a-lifetime oppor-tunity.

I succeeded in getting my chance to study at Oxford. However, others failed and many others are still trying. In my university class there were about 18 students who were supposed to travel and take similar courses in Ma-laysia, Turkey, Jordan and Germany. But because of the border closings and eight-year blockade, they all lost their chance and are still in Gaza after years or months of trying for the opportunity to study outside.

Being a Palestinian means an endless process of suffering. If you’re a Gazan, your suffering will even be worse. Will it ever cease? No one knows.

By Said Al-Yacoubi Source: We Are not Numbers

Palestine flag flies at UN headquarters

119 of 193 UN member states voted yes at the gener-al assembly in favour of fly-ing the Palestine flag at the UN. The resolution is a mo-mentous step towards inter-national recognition of Pal-estine’s national aspirations as well as their existence and right to self-determination.

“It’s a step to the recog-nition of Palestine as a full member state at the United Nations,” stated Palestinian prime minister Rami Ham-dallah.

Palestinian representa-tive to the UN, Riyad Man-sour, responded to the vote, saying, “It is a symbolic thing, but another step to so-lidify the pillars of the state of Palestine in the interna-tional arena,” according to Al-Jazeera.

“The sense of pride among the Palestinian peo-ple was overwhelming the day the world voted in favour of this landmark initiative,” president Mahmoud Abbas wrote in the Huffington Post.

343 UK academics boycott Israeli Universities

343 UK academics have pledged to boycott Israeli ac-ademic institutions. The de-cision calls for an end to Isra-el’s human rights violations and its illegal occupation of Palestinian lands. Last year, the Palestinian Campaign for the Cultural and Academic Boycott of Israel (PACBI)

called for an academic boy-cott against Israeli academic institutions. This is the first time academics have signed their names and committed themselves to actively disen-gaging from Israel’s universi-ty institutions, while affirm-ing their personal dedication to the liberation of Palestine.

GLOBAL NEWS 5AQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015/foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

Palestinian rights supporter wins leadership of UK partyOn Saturday 12 Sep-

tember, Jeremy Corbyn was elected as the head of the UK Labour Party. The left-wing lawmaker and outspo-ken supporter of Palestinian rights won almost 60 per-cent of the votes.

In his victory speech, Corbyn spoke about social solidarity, working to eradi-cate poverty at home, and being a beacon of peace abroad. “Let us be a force for change in the world, a force for humanity in the world, a force for peace in the world,” the new leader said.

Corbyn has visited Pales-tine nine times and supports a number of BDS initiatives. He is also a patron of the Pal-estine Solidarity Campaign and is well known for his sup-port for Palestinian rights.

His victory highlights mainstream political sup-port for Palestinian rights in the UK.

Netanyahu’s visit to the UK sparks protests

Hundreds of demon-strators stood outside Downing Street protesting Bejamin Natanyahu’s visit to the UK. His two-day visit in London included talks with David Cameron on foreign policy in the Middle East.

Weeks before Netan-yahu’s arrival, 107,000 citizens in the UK signed an online petition for his arrest after last year’s at-

tack on Gaza, also known as ‘Operation Protective Edge’, which resulted in the deaths of 2,139 Palestin-ians, including more than 500 children.

Protestors demanded that Netanyahu be pros-ecuted for his war crimes during Operation Protec-tive Edge. They left a very clear message that Net-anyahu is not welcome in Britain.

6 SPECIAL FEATUREAQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015 /foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

Attacks at the Sacred Al-Aqsa

Top tweets:

As Palestinians marked the final day of Eid al-Adha celebrations, Israeli soldiers continued to attack the Al-Aqsa compound. Witnesses say Israeli forces used stun grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets, targeting wor-shipers.

The violent attacks fol-low a week of increased tensions and a number of confrontations at the compound, and wider vio-lence against Palestinians throughout the West Bank. The cause of much of the ten-sions has been the regular trespass onto the site by ex-tremist settler groups, who are escorted by fully armed soldiers/police who use bru-tal force against Palestinian worshippers in the area as these civilians defend their basic rights and property.

Israel has imposed con-

stant restrictions on Muslim worshippers wishing to en-ter the site in recent weeks in an unprecedented move, which belies Israel’s intent to undermine Palestinian sovereignty over the site. In a newly established sched-ule, Israeli Jews have been permitted to tour the com-pound between the hours of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., during which Muslim entry is se-verely restricted.

East Jerusalem, where the Al-Aqsa Mosque is lo-cated, was illegally seized by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day war. The international community have never rec-ognised Israel’s annexation of the area. Al-Aqsa is Islam’s holiest site in Jerusalem. The struggle to protect Al-Aqsa is coupled with the ongoing struggle to end the occupa-tion.

Palestinians sweep up rock debris in al-Aqsa Mosque after clashes with Israeli police.

Attack on Al-Aqsa at Eid al-Adha

The Al-Aqsa intifada, or uprising against Israeli occu-pation began on 28th September 2000 and lasted until February 2005, resulting in the deaths of thousands of in-nocent civilians. It was sparked by a deliberately provoc-ative incursion into the holy sanctuary by then Defence Minister Ariel Sharon, flanked by 1,000 security guards. The violence which followed was well-documented by the world’s media, and began with the killing of 12 year old Muhammad al-Durrah captured by a French televi-sion crew.

Violence within Al-Aqsa has not abated in the years since, with the situation becoming catastrophic in recent weeks. Israeli army Incursions and settler violence has become a frequent occurrence and worshippers face at-tack and arrest as a matter of course. Israeli forces have used punitive force against Palestinians this has included the use of live ammunition and stun grenades. Israel has also used snipers on the roof of the mosque firing exces-sive rubber bullets at Palestinian worshippers.

10 years since the end of the Al-Aqsa intifada Palestin-ians are still resisting the violent Israeli occupation, with no sign of any peace agreements. The violence won’t end until the occupation ends.

Al-Aqsa Intifada anniversary amid escalating violence

#HandsOffAlAqsa

SPECIAL FEATURE 7AQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015/foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

In early October, Israeli forces executed 19-year-old Palestinian, Fadi Alloun out-side of the Old City in Jeru-salem. According to Israeli authorities Alloun was killed after the stabbing attack that wounded an Israeli teenager. However, no evidence was presented connecting Al-loun to the stabbing. Videos have been circulating online showing a crowd of Israeli’s shouting, “shoot him!” Al-loun is seen trying to escape from the mob. An Israeli po-lice officer then shoots down Alloun while the Israeli mob

celebrates the murder, ex-claiming “death to Arabs”.

The Israeli police con-tinue to block off the Muslim quarter of the Old City, se-verely restricting access to al-Aqsa. Palestinian homes and property have also faced attack. The PRCS is trying to provide desperately needed emergency services, yet the army has attacked its ve-hicles and medical staff 53 times. 37 emergency medi-cal technicians have been wounded and up to 20 am-bulances have been dam-aged.

Israeli police scuffle with Palestinians who were prevented from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Israeli mob encourages execution of Palestinian teen in Jerusalem

Is the status quo of al-Aqsa changing?

What can you do for Masjid al-Aqsa?

1. Join FOA’s campaign #handsoffalaqsa

2. Help raise awareness about the dangers Masjid al-Aqsa faces.

3. Write to your MP highlight the issue further, calling for an end to violence and destruction at the al-Aqsa mosque.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. The peace process has come to a complete standstill, which is buying Israel more time to further annex Palestinian land and change the status quo of al-Aqsa. Although Benjamin Netanyahu says that the status quo will not change, right-wing settler groups want that to change.

According to the 1967 agreement Israeli authorities made after illegally occupying Jerusalem, all faiths are allowed to visit the compound but only Muslims are al-lowed to pray there, while Jewish prayer is allowed at the Western Wall.

The situation at al-Aqsa is volatile with recent in-creased tensions around the area. Netanyahu says his government plans to broaden the mandate of Israel’s army following weeks of fighting with Palestinian pro-testors in the al-Aqsa compound. Palestinians have come under fierce attack as they try to prevent repeated vio-lent assaults by Israeli occupation forces into Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque compound. Ring-wing Israeli settler groups, who are adamant on replacing the mosque with a Jewish temple are proclaiming their presence in the com-pound ever more violently.

Israeli forces storming of al-Aqsa mosque, which is becoming more frequent, is seen as part of a gradual set-tler colonial effort to take over al-Aqsa.

8 FOA UPDATESAQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015 /foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

A MessageThe events in Palestine

during October 2015 have shocked even those who have become hardened to Israel’s human rights abus-es. Teenagers of today who were born when the Second Intifada started in 2000 are seeing history repeat itself, and these children are the ones facing the brunt of the occupation soldier’s new policies.

‘Shoot to kill’ is now be-ing employed against any-one thought to be a threat. Thus, young teenage girls at checkpoints are executed in cold blood, shot repeat-edly at point blank range. Teenage boys who run for cover, are killed by police while crowds bray and scream their approval. This situation is the new reality that Israel is imposing on those whom it occupies.

Israeli Politicians con-

tinue with empty words of condemnation, failing to follow them up with arrests or imprisonment. The re-sult is a culture of impunity which is creating a popula-tion of illegal settlers who are incapable of humanity when it comes to their Pal-estinian neighbours. And at the same time, a Palestini-an, no matter how young or old, need only be suspected of a crime to be shot and killed.

These Israeli actions are having a massive im-pact on global perceptions. The global movement for the boycott of Israel goes from strength to strength not because of the pro-Palestinian movement, but because the state of Israel has lost its moral compass.

Ismail Patel

Follow on Twitter: @Ismailadampatel

Branch UpdatesYorkshire

The Yorkshire braches of FOA took part in a sponsored walk in the picturesque Malham Cove located in the Yorkshire Dale National Park.

The event was an excel-lent opportunity for families and children to have a great day out, visit one of the UK’s national treasures, interact with people of other faiths and nationalities, while be-

ing reminded about FOA’s work and how people can become involved.

It was also an opportu-nity to initiate local fund raising projects. The overall objective of the event was to act as a ‘thank you’ day out for all participants who regularly show their support for FOA events locally and nationally.

Manchester

FOA Manchester is fo-cussing on “Al-Aqsa in dan-ger” and organised a hugely successful public event, ad-dressing the escalation of violence at Al-Aqsa which started a few days before Eid al-Adha.

The event was addressed by FOA chair, Ismail Patel, who highlighted the his-torical significance of the Al-

Aqsa Mosque and discussed the mounting dangers faced by Al-Aqsa today. The event helped to educate local com-munities about the occupa-tion, especially regarding the changing status quo of Al-Aqsa and Jerusalem.

To join the FOA Manches-ter branch, please contact Manchester@foa.org.uk

Dewsbury and Batley

FOA Dewsbury and Bat-ley are focussing on work-ing closely with local MPs ensuring political engage-ment is taking place at the grassroots level. Dewsbury MP, Paula Sherriff recently visited Palestine with the Council for Arab-British Understanding.

Ms. Sherriff has shown an interest in becoming an advocate of the Palestin-ian cause and said that her visit has deeply moved and

inspired her to do more for Palestine as her role as a MP. During her visit she witnessed a 10-year-old boy being unjustly arrested by 5 Israeli soldiers in the late evening. She was utter-ly appalled by the soldier’s actions. The experience has enabled her to gain a better understand of the conflict and what the Israeli occu-pation means for Palestin-ians.

9AQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015/foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

10 FOA LEICESTER UPDATEAQSA NEWS | ISSUE 58 | RAMADHAN 2015 /foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

MADE IN PALESTINE KEFFIYEH AND MANY MORE PRODUCTS

SHOP ONLINE TODAY

FOA.ORG.UK/SHOP

MERCHANDISE 11AQSA NEWS | ISSUE 55 | RAMADHAN 2014/foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

SURVIviNGWINTERemergency appeal 1437 ah

£50for a winter aid kit

donateHelp A FAMILY survive this winter

Support families in: Syria, Afghanistan,Bangladesh, Chechnya,Iraq, Albania, India,Pakistan, kashmir & Palestine

ZZakah Sadaqah Lillah

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U m m a h w e l fa r e T R U S TU W T _ U K0 8 0 0 4 0 8 0 0 1 10 1 2 0 4 6 6 1 0 3 0 U W T.O R G

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text wntr15 £10 to 70070

12 FUN AND GAMESAQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015 /foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

COLOUR THE PICTURE

COMPETITION!

WIN £20 Shopping voucher!

If you are aged below 18, you can enter our competition!

Write a short poem on Palestine, you can talk about the following topics:

The prize will be given to the most creative poem.

Entries must be received by Friday 11th December E-mail your poem to: info@foa.org.uk(ask an adult to send your entry if you do not have an email address)

Don’t forget to include your name and address! Good luck!CARTO

ON B

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ARLO

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ATUFF

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NATURE

AL-AQSA

HISTORY

CULTURE

FUN AND GAMES 13AQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015/foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

WORDSEARCH

JerichoJerusalem Gaza

Hebron RamallahJenin

TulkarmBethlehem

SUDOKUCAN YOU SOLVE THE PUZZLE?

MAZECAN YOU HELP ME FIND MY WAY TO THE PARK?

14 RECIPEAQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015 /foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

I come from thereI come from there and I have memories

Born as mortals are, I have a mother And a house with many windows,

I have brothers, friends, And a prison cell with a cold window.

Mine is the wave, snatched by sea-gulls, I have my own view,

And an extra blade of grass. Mine is the moon at the far edge of the words,

And the bounty of birds, And the immortal olive tree.

I walked this land before the swords Turned its living body into a laden table.

I come from there. I render the sky unto her mother When the sky weeps for her mother. And I weep to make myself known

To a returning cloud. I learnt all the words worthy of the court of blood

So that I could break the rule. I learnt all the words and broke them up

To make a single word: Homeland.....

Mahmoud Darwish

Herbs and Spices used in Palestinian cookingManakish

Ingredients For the flat bread dough:• 2 cups all-purpose-flour• 2 tsp dried yeast• 1/2 tsp salt• 1tsp sugar• 1 1/2 cup warm water

For the filling:• 3/4 cup za’atar mix (pre-mixed dried thyme with sumac and sesame seeds)• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil

Method

• To make the filling, mix za’atar and olive oil and set aside.

• To make the dough, sift the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a bowl adding water gradually until the dough comes together leaving the sides of the bowl clean. Knead until it feels smooth and elastic. Cover with cling film and leave it in a warm place for about 2 hours, until it has doubled in size.

• Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 7/220°C /425F/.

• Divide dough into 8 por-tions and roll each portion between your palms like a ball shape.

• On a floured working sur-face, roll each ball flat us-ing a rolling pin until even and about ¼ inch thick.

• Spoon the za’atar mix-ture over the disk-shaped bread.

• Slide your bread on a lightly greased baking sheet and cook for about 5 minutes or until the dough is crispy and brown. Serve warm.

Za’atar is the Arabic word for thyme, it is also the word used for thyme spice mixture. The Palestinian za’atar that most are familiar with, contains ground thyme, ground sumac, toasted sesame seeds and salt.

The wild thyme grows in the hills around Jerusalem and throughout Palestine.

How Za’atar Is Used

Fresh za’atar, has many uses in Palestinian cuisine. It is often chopped into a salad, dressed simply with lemon, olive oil and sumac.

It can also be chopped and mixed into bread dough.

Za’atar can be used as Medicinal tea, Palestinians strongly believe in the healing powers of the herb thyme (za’atar) particularly if you have a cold, it is simply made from the steeped leaves of fresh or dried thyme.

The most popular za’atar dish is called Manakish, a fragrant flat bread spread with a mixture of olive oil and za’atar.

Book Review

Huma’s Travel guide to Palestine

If you are thinking of visiting Palestine this is the travel guide for you. Huma’s Travel guide to Palestine is immersed in history, religious traditions and the sacrifice of its people. It is an essential book for every Muslim household as it covers in detail information on Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and historical Palestine. Each city is filled with important travel information from in-depth historical sites, accommodation and places to eat.

The book also provides: • Useful maps • A language and culture guide • Fiqh of travel • Biographies of key Palestinian personalities

Written by: Ismail Adam Patel and Arwa Aburawa.

CULTURE 15AQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015/foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

Gaza monologues

The Gaza Monologues is a powerful play created by Ashtar Theatre, which was founded in Jerusalem in 1991. The play was used as a drama therapy initiative and is written by young Palestin-ians aged between 14-16.

The stories reflect per-

sonal experiences giving the audience a snapshot of the lives of young Gazan’s liv-ing under conflict and oc-cupation. The play is deeply moving and takes a look at the human impact of Israel’s bombardment in Gaza in 2008/9, also known as Op-

eration Cast Lead.The Gaza Monologues

has been performed in cities around the world from Gaza, Ramallah, Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Stockholm, Vancouver, Bei-jing, Sydney and many more, including the UN Headquar-ters in New York.

The Palestine history tapestry project

The Palestinian history tapestry project aims to tell the story of Palestinian her-itage through traditional em-broidery.

By using the art of em-broidery the project aims to preserve the heritage of Palestinian ancestry. What makes this project so unique

is that Palestinian women are using art as a means to reclaim their identity and share their history, but also to ensure that it is not lost.

“The History Tapestry Project will empower Pal-estinian women, enabling them to engage in income generating activity whilst

telling the story of the vil-lages and towns, the life and heritage of their ancestors and forebears, the indig-enous people of Palestine, through beautiful skilled em-broidery, and the Palestinian History Tapestry Project.” - Jan Chalmers, co-founder of the project.

Palestinian Museum to open in the West

Bank by 2016The $30 million Pales-

tinian Museum is scheduled to open in the West Bank in spring 2016. The museum is located on the campus of Birzeit University in the West Bank and will be “dedi-cated to preserving and cel-ebrating the culture, society, and history of Palestine over the past two centuries,” or-ganisers explained.

Several local and interna-tional donors have helped to fund the museum. The open-ing ceremony of the Pales-tinian Museum is set to take place on May 15, 2015. The

opening date is symbolic as it coincides with the Nakba or ‘catastrophe’. The Nakba refers to the day when hun-dreds of thousands of Pales-tinians were forced into exile as a result of the creation of Israel in 1948.

The Palestinian Museum seeks to keep Palestine’s memory alive by incorporat-ing historical narratives of Palestinians from across the occupied Palestinian territo-ries (the West Bank, includ-ing East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, present-day Israel and the diaspora).

The Fishermen of Gaza‘The Fishermen of Gaza’

exhibition highlights the il-legal sea blockade, and the brutality of the Israeli occu-pation against innocent Gaza fishermen, who simply want to work and live with dignity.

Artists for Palestine are using photography as a me-dium to capture how the occupation impacts daily Palestinian life. Belgian pho-tographer Asmaa Seba hopes

her new exhibition will hon-our and pay tribute to the brave fishermen of Gaza.

Gaza fishermen are un-der a strict blockade and must keep within the 6 nau-tical mile radius, which is constantly policed by Israel. They often face harassment, boat seizures, the destroying of fishing nets and arrests. As a result, Gaza’s fishermen continue to face huge loss of

income, leading families to live in abject poverty.

According to Seba, “The brutal Israeli occupation of land, sky and sea is destroy-ing vital infrastructures and killing thousands of civilians. Today Gaza lies in ruins. Where once Gaza exported fish and other seafood, to-day it can’t even feed its own people.”

16 TRAVEL TO PALESTINEAQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015 /foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

Volunteer in Palestine

Volunteers from a recent trip have been speaking about their experiences.

For me visiting Palestine was a chance to experience what life is really like for the Palestinian people. I was

pleasantly surprised by how beautiful the country was and how welcoming the people are. The trip provided by VIP gave an excellent insight to the real problem Palestine is

facing as well as the experience of a full cultural submersion with the host family.

Zohaib from Halifax

Visiting Palestine was so much more than just a volunteering opportunity. It was an experience of a life time. I got to see for myself, what life is like living under

occupation. I got to meet with the friendly locals, and listen to many of their stories. I spent time meeting & getting to know the younger generation, going on day trips and

seeing many beautiful places. I always thought I knew a lot about Palestine, but until you see it, and experience it for yourself, only then will you truly know everything about

Palestine. I’ve been to many amazing places, but my visit to Palestine beats them all. I will be back, and next time I will

bring my younger children with me. Insha’Allah.

Ann from Ireland

Palestine is one of the best places I’ve been to, without a doubt. There were so many unique memories and

experiences that you will not encounter anywhere else on Earth. This includes the day tours to various cities like

Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Hebron as well as staying with a host family and trying traditional Palestinian food. If you have never been to Palestine I would strongly recommend

you make it your next destination! You will not be disappointed!

Zabeer from Birmingham

VIP aims to provide people with the opportunity to visit Palestine and volunteer their skills to help underprivileged Palestinians.

I always said Palestine was my home but now having been there I feel like a part of me is incomplete being back in Zimbabwe. I pray that I can go again and that all of you

manage to visit it too. Palestine is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. It is so amazing and blessed. The people are

incredible and so is the culture and history.

Tanzila from Zimbabwe

Join us February 2016 to experience Palestine. Our trips include volunteering work, sightseeing tours and educational talks. Contact us for more details.

Volunteer in Palestine - info@volunteerinpalestine.co.uk

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17AQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015/foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

Israel bans Islamic Movement in PalestineIsrael has banned the Is-

lamic Movement in Palestine accusing them of incitement at the Al-Aqsa mosque dur-ing weeks of unrest.

“Any person who belongs to this organisation or who provides services to it or who acts within its framework is henceforth committing a criminal offence punishable by a prison sentence,” a gov-ernment statement said.

The Islamic Movement based in northern Israel has been at the forefront of de-fending the Al-Aqsa mosque,

one of the holiest and sacred sites to Muslims. The Al-Aqsa compound has often been a site of conflict with heav-ily armed Israeli soldiers storming the compound with ring-wing settlers. Al-though the government has denied plans to control the area, Israel has restricted access for Muslims to enter the mosque and frequently allows extremist settlers to enter the compound, most of whom want to see the de-struction of the mosque.

53% of Israelis support extrajudicial killings

A new poll by the Israel Democracy Institute shows that 53% of Israelis sup-port extrajudicial killings against alleged Palestinian attackers. The study was carried out at the end of October where 600 adults were interviewed.

According to the poll, the majority of Israelis (53%) agreed, “any Pales-tinian who has perpetrat-

ed a terror attack against Jews should be killed on the spot.” Including after the suspect is arrested and even when they “no longer posed a threat”. The results from the poll reflect an extremely hostile climate in the region, it is of grave concern that the major-ity of Israeli citizens have complete disregard for Pal-estinian lives.

Israeli Knesset approves 3-year jail sentence for Palestinian stone-throwers

The Israeli Knesset has approved new legislation that will impose harsh pen-alties for Palestinian stone-throwers. A minimum of 3-years in prison is now the fate of many children who defiantly throw stones against an army which is

equipped with the most ad-vanced military software in the world.

A total of 51 Israeli law-yers voted in favour for the law while only 17 voted against it. The law was pro-posed by Justice minister Ayelet Shaked of the right-

wing Jewish Home Party. She is known for making extrem-ists statements against Pal-estinians.

The new legislation only targets Palestinians and similar measures are not imposed upon Israelis or il-legal settlers. Israel’s culture

of impunity allows soldiers and settlers to get away with crimes including murder. Only 8% of settler attacks are ever investigated and prose-cuted, yet the new legislation allows Israel to use dispro-portionate punitive meas-ures against Palestinians.

18 RECIPEAQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015 /foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

19AQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015/foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

20 AQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015 /foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

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21AQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015/foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

American students face death threats over Palestine protest

Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at the Uni-versity of Illinois-Chicago organised a protest as part of international day of ac-tion for Palestine on Oc-tober 14. Over a dozen students participated in

a 6-minute “die-in” silent protest remembering the lives of Palestinians killed during Israel’s brutal on-slaught throughout Octo-ber. Days after the protest SJP received a threaten-ing email message, which

stated: “If there is one more demonstration in the quad from your petty organisa-tion, consider it to be your real bodies falling next time. What you did was down-right anti-Semitism. Don’t underestimate the Jewish

presence on campus. #jew-hater.” Despite the threats SJP students stated that they will continue organis-ing protesting in the future. Amazon sells children’s

‘Israeli soldier’ costumes

There has been outrage against Amazon following the sale of Israeli soldier cos-tumes for Halloween. During the month of October alone, Israeli soldiers use lethal force against Palestinians,

which has resulted in 77 deaths and over 2,000 in-juries. Protestors called the sale of Israeli soldier outfits to children as being ‘utterly appalling.’

‘Welcome to Palestine’

Passengers on an Ibe-ria flight from Madrid to Tel Aviv were upset when they heard the pilot announc-ing “welcome to Palestine” as the plane was landing. Passengers said they were

“shocked” and that it was “unacceptable.” One passen-ger wrote a letter to Iberia airlines complaining about the incident. Since then, Ibe-ria have apologised for any misunderstandings.

Netanyahu blames Palestinians – not Nazis – for Holocaust

In an absurd statement which has been widely ridi-culed, Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the extermination of millions of Jews during the holocaust on the Grand Muf-ti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, who died in 1974.

Netanyahu provided no evidence for this dubious allegation, and there is cer-tainly no historic evidence to substantiate such a claim.

This is not the first time Netanyahu has attacked Husseini, despite the mass rejection by historians of any such conspiracy.

Netanyahu’s comments serve only to whitewash Hit-ler and are no doubt intend-ed to justify the continued persecution of Palestinians by the state of Israel. The claim that Palestinians are responsible for the holocaust is nothing but propaganda, highlighting the depths to which this Israeli prime min-ister is willing to go to con-tinue his own war against a race of people.

22 BOYCOTT CAMPAIGNSAQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015 /foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

BDS victory in Iceland’s capital

The city council in Rey-kjavík voted by a 9-5 major-ity banning Israeli products from official purchases as long as Israel continues its occupation in the Palestinian territories.

According to Iceland Magazine, the boycott is in-tended to show the city of Reykjavík’s support for the right of Palestinians inde-

pendence, while condemn-ing “the Israeli policy of apartheid” in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Councilwoman Björk Vil-helmsdóttir who proposed the resolution stated, “I be-lieve that the city is sending a clear message that it will not purchase products from Israel while Israel oppresses another people on the basis

of ethnicity and race, and continues having the wall in-side Palestine.”

This is not the first time we are seeing city councils around the world boycott-ing commercial goods. Simi-lar resolutions were made during the 1970s and 1980s during the South African apartheid. Boycotting goods has helped to raise aware-

ness and is a stand in soli-darity with the native people against brutal apartheid re-gimes.

Reykjavík’s boycott vote is a symbolic victory and shows how the international community are support-ing Palestinian rights in the mainstream.

Hundreds unhappy with American singer

Pharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams has been criticised by Palestin-ian groups for his promo-tional deal with Woolworths, which stocks Israeli prod-ucts. Protestors gathered outside GrandWest casino before US singer Pharrell William’s concert in Cape Town, South Africa.

Around 500 people dem-onstrated against William’s support for Israel. The Con-gress of South African Stu-

dents wrote an open letter to Williams stating, “Wool-worths is an apartheid-Israel supporter. By trad-ing with apartheid Israel, Woolworths is raising their capital so that apartheid Israel can continue to buy weapons of mass destruc-tion to threaten, harass and kill even more Palestinians, including many Palestinian children, every day.”

London’s SOAS backs Israel boycott in referendum landslideBy Rana Baker

Campaigners at the School of Oriental and Af-rican Studies (SOAS), Uni-versity of London, are cel-ebrating a big victory for the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement after a referendum to en-dorse an academic boycott of Israel passed by a landslide majority.

The results showed that an overwhelming 73 percent of more than two thousand voters backed the boycott. Those eligible to vote on whether SOAS should cut all ties with Israeli academic in-stitutions included students, faculty and contract staff.

Although other univer-sity communities, student unions and academic bod-ies in several countries have

backed the boycott in refer-endums, the all-inclusive na-ture of the SOAS vote is prec-edent setting.

Following the announce-ment of the results, the SOAS “Yes” Campaign issued a statement emphasising that the victory “has demonstrat-ed the popular appeal of BDS as a powerful form of protest and resistance…by voting in favour of the academic boy-cott, the SOAS community has confirmed its unwaver-ing commitment to freedom, equality and justice for all Palestinians and has reas-serted its call for an end to Israeli apartheid, oppressive occupation, and settler-colo-nialism.”

Originally published in: Electronic Intifada

23AQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015/foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

Palestinians reject Boris Johnson visit after ‘foolish’

boycott comments

Boris Johnson has voiced his opposition to the boycott movement during his recent trip to Israel. Responding to the recent pledge for aca-demic boycott by hundreds of university lecturers, he stated “the supporters of this so-called boycott are a bunch of corduroy-jacketed lefty academics.”

Johnson also called the BDS movement against Israel

“foolish” as Israel “is the only democracy in the region.” In reality, Israel stands accused of being a brutal occupying power with a merciless army which rules Palestinians us-ing violence and brute force. Extrajudicial executions and Apartheid policies are well documented, making many refute Israel’s claim of being a democracy.

#Black&PalestinianLivesMatter

A new solidarity video has been released called ‘when I see them I see us.’ The video includes over 60 leading Black and Palestin-ian artists and activists from the US to Palestine, includ-ing LaurynHill, DAM, Omar Barghouti, Alice Walker, An-

gela Davis, Dr. Cornel West and many others.

Noura Erakat is a Pales-tinian assistant professor at George Mason University and human rights attorney. She had the idea for the video during the summer of 2014, when Gaza was being

bombed and protests erupt-ed in Ferguson after the po-lice killing of unarmed teen Michael Brown. According to Erakat “The point is not to compare oppression, Blacks the world over have suffered from a legacy of racism much deeper than

the contemporary Palestin-ian struggle. The point here is that solidarity is a politi-cal decision on how to resist and how to survive in our respected fights for free-dom.”

Israeli gunmen execute Palestinian in hospitalIsraeli gunmen disguised

as Palestinians executed a young Palestinian man in the al-Ahli hospital in Hebron. This attack has generated shock and fear amongst Pal-estinians, as nowhere seems to be safe anymore.

A dozen Israeli gunmen disguised themselves as Pal-estinians and invaded the al-Ahli hospital. The gun-men kidnapped 20-year-old Azzam Izzat Shaban al-Shalalda, a patient in the hospital and shot dead his 28-year-old cousin Abdallah Azzam Shaban al-Shalalda. Palestinian witnesses re-ported that Abdallah was shot in cold blood.

“It was around 3am and I was asleep when a large number of undercover sol-diers arrived. They put the other patients in the corner and tied my hands with a belt. When Abdallah came out of the bathroom where he was washing his hands in preparation for morning prayers they shot him and left him to bleed on the floor.” Reported, Bilal al-Shalalda, a relative of Abdallah.

Doctors Without Borders have condemned the raid and were “very concerned” about the safety of patients in hospitals. Philip Luther, Middle East program direc-tor for Amnesty Interna-tional said, “The fact that Abdullah al-Shalalda was

shot in the head and upper body suggests this was an extrajudicial execution, add-ing to a disturbing pattern of similar recent incidents by Israeli forces in the West Bank which warrant urgent investigation.”

Spain ‘issues arrest warrant’ for Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is at risk of arrest if he enters Spain. A Spanish judge has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and six other in-dividuals over the 2010 Gaza flotilla attack.

In 2010, six ships were on their way to the Gaza

Strip to provide humanitar-ian aid and construction materials. 500 passengers were on the boats and the IDF mercilessly stormed and raided the Mavi Marmara ship and killed 10 human rights activists.

The other men included in the arrest warrant are for-

mer defence minister Ehud Barak, former foreign min-ister Avigdor Leiberman, former minister of strategic affairs Moshe Yaalon, former interior minister Eli Yishai, minister without portfolio Benny Begin and vice admi-ral maron Eliezer, who was in charge of the operation.

24 AQSA NEWS | ISSUE 59 | NOVEMBER 2015 /foapeaceinpalestine @friendsofalaqsa @friendsofalaqsa

Foreign Secretary ‘proud’ to support Israel

UK foreign secretary Philip Hammond spoke at a Conservative Friends of Israel meeting in October emphasising his party’s un-deniable support for Israel. During Hammond’s speech he comforted supporters of Israel, reinforcing the gov-ernment’s “unshakeable commitment” to the county.

Hammond stated that “During the Gaza conflict last summer, the prime minster, I, and the chancellor made a clear decision that we would stand behind Israel and de-fend what Israel was doing…we took a bit of flack for it and we are proud of that, and we will stand behind Is-

rael again when it is defend-ing its right to exist and its right to defend itself against attacks.”

These words are deeply shocking for anyone who re-calls the horror of Israel’s at-tack on the Gaza Strip where dozens of war crimes were committed including the at-tacks on schools, the mur-der of 4 little boys playing football on a Gaza beach, the shelling of hospitals and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians. 2,200 were killed in the attacks, many of whom were women and children. These are the crimes that our foreign sec-retary is ‘proud’ to support.

Palestine vs. Saudi Arabia football match goes ahead

Palestine is set to host Saudi Arabia in a World Cup qualifier in Al-Ram, after FIFA approved security guar-antees from the Palestinian authorities. The two teams were meant to play each oth-er in Ramallah on October 13

but the match was resched-uled after Saudi Arabia’s concern over travelling into Palestine. The former FIFA president Sepp Blatter spoke to the team’s chiefs and the match is set to take place in early November.

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