The past week witnessed Palestinian calls for the release of the four CPT and ISM hostages who were abducted on the 29th of Novemeber in Iraq. Demonstrations were held in Nablus, Hebron and Ramallah. Press conferences were held and statements were made by the different Palestinian political parties demanding the immediate release of the International volunteers who stood by Palestinians in the face of the occupation and preached nothing but peace. All Palestinians united in their call, please don't let their voices pass unheard

News of the Blogsphere:

Global Voices 2005 Annual Summit took place in London on the 10th of this month, December. Our lovely AquaCool and Haitham Sabbah were among the attendees. Haitham was given only two minutes to speak, ranking third while a fellow geek broke the record taking only 30 seconds to finish his speech. How did I know? well, I have my reliable sources . Haitham took some pictures for your entertainment too.

The prison's gate had closed on The Bethlehem Ghetto declaring it a ghetto for real. Bethlehem Bloggers appeal to the World, on behalf of every Palestinian, to stand with the people of this city. The Holy city of Bethlehem needs friends now more than ever, please visit and help spreading the truth.

Photo credit: Bethlehem Bloggers

Khaled Mishaal, top Hamas official in lebanon appealed to Palestinians and the PA to stop the bloodshed between two big Gazan families who reside in Beit Hanoon, north of Gaza. Earlier, Mishaal announced that the ceasefire truce between Hamas and Israel will not be renewed. Rafah Pundits as well, Israeli navy opened fire on a group of Palestinian fishermen killing two and leaving three more critically injured.

Isreal military forces carried out arrests in the last four days in the West Bank. In a single day, that is 24 hours, 35 were arrested in Al-Khalil (Hebron). In Baqa'a Refugee Camp also, B'Tselem demands that Shaul Mofaz interfers to stop the demolishing of Palestinian houses. While at it, after three months have passed since the evacuation of Gaza City (although the air raids and assassinations never stopped), Israeli authorities still hadn't cleaned the rubble of demolished Isreali settlements, hindering with any progressive projects planned.

Non-violent resistance in Palestine continues by Palestinians and International activists despite of everything. Mean while, more demonstrations were held in Ramallah calling for the release of the four CPT hostages in Iraq.

If there is such thing as cute news, this must be it, Imaan of Living in Gaza City says her little cute daughters pray…before they do some dancing

What we talk about:

peacepalestine posts another letter from Vanunu asking for your support as his trial, scheduled on the 6th of January 2006, is approaching.

From peacepalestine too, a new national group called the American Council on Middle East Policy (ACME) announces its formation, and talks about its very first project: a petition against Senator Hillary Clinton's support of the Apartheid Wall.

Mazin Qumsiyeh lists 10 critical changes in Palestine-Israel, pointing them out for activists urging them to do more than hoping for the best.

The little things that matter…

umkahlil posts about Gannit Ankari, an Israeli art history professor, who apparently gets it. Gannit had an interview with Al-Jazeera. Gannit admirably devotes an English-language book to the Palestinian art which was ignored by the west.Israel had done the needful to spread a myth that art did not exist in Palestine prior to the establishment of Israel in 1948.

International Solidarity Movement organizes a conference against The Wall in Bilin, Al-Khalil (Hebron) from 20-21 February, 2006. Please stand by peace and non-violent resistance in the face of oppression and injustice. Read an abstract of the conference here

Zaytoun partnered with War on Want to give farmers a thoughtful gift, help them out.

Via Zaytoun again, a fundraising event is held for Bethlehem Children with Disability and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in the Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church 235, Shaftesbury Avenue Central London . London Fenzi Consort will be performing Christmas choral music from 15th Century to the present day, they will also lead the audience in traditional carols. There is going to be poetry reading by Andy De La Tour and Susan Wooldridge too. Rmember the “forgotten faithful” by buying a ticket and help treating the phsycially and psychologically ill young people, help sponsoring day cares for children and a lot more.

Nablus came to its twin city Dundee to know for the first time what does it mean to be in an unoccupied country. You can return the visit any time between the 12th to 19th of March, 2006. Contact Olive Cooperative for more info or dial 01382-550210 and speak to Andree.