Kylie Baxter’s PhD explored the experience of a London-based pan-Islamist organization, al-Muhajiroun. This organization was active between the mid-1990s and 2004 and provided a compelling insight into the difficulties associated with the propagation of an Islamist perspective in a Western nation-state. Currently, Dr Baxter’s research focus is on the Arab-Israeli conflict and Palestinian politics.
This program was produced by The University of Melbourne for 2008.
For more information, visit:
http://upclose.unimelb.edu.au
The Right of Return of Palestinian refugees is enshrined in international law. One of the core rights in international law is the obligation to respect and implement the right of return of Palestinian refugees. This right, although reaffirmed in UNGA Resolution 194 of November 12, 1948, is far older than that Resolution, and is not dependent on that Resolution for its binding nature. The right of refugees or displaced persons to return to their places of origin is firmly rooted in international humanitarian law/laws of war, the laws of nationality and state succession, and international human rights law . In particular, this right has been recognized and implemented in the refugee context under human rights law principles all over the world in situations of mass refugee flows, and has been strengthened, not weakened, by state practice in the last forty years. We should note here that Israel was accepted as a member state of the UN on condition that it accept the Right of Return Resolution 194. The Right of Return can not be waived or negotiated away as PM Olmert, and every Israeli government before him, has sought to do.
We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Nancy Murray to our program. Dr. Murray has worked as an educator and human rights activist in the UK, Kenya, and the US. She holds a Ph.D. in History from Oxford University; has written on civil and human rights issues; and serves on the editorial committee of the journal Race & Class. She was the co-founder and director of the Middle East Justice Network from 1989 to 1995, and authored a book on Palestinians: Life Under Occupation (1991).
This program was produced by This Week In Palestine on WZBC Boston.
For more information, visit:
http://truthandjusticeradio.org
This Week In Palestine for March 31st through April 6th, 2007 is a service of the International Middle East Media Center.
In the West Bank this past week, nonviolent resistance against the occupation and wall construction continued. In Bil’in village, 15 protesters were injured Friday during the weekly demonstration against settlement and wall construction. Six protesters, including two Israelis, were injured in demonstrations in Al Ma’assara village near Bethlehem.
International sanctions against the Palestinian Authority unity government continue, though Europeans countries are beginning to host talks with Palestinian officials. US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visited Palestine on Wednesday as part of her tour of Middle Eastern nations including Lebanon, and Syria.
The Israeli military carried out 24 invasions of Palestinian communities in the West Bank this week. At least 36 Palestinians were abducted, bringing the yearly total to 897. Israeli checkpoints continue to heavily restrict travel throughout the West Bank despite Israeli claims that these restrictions have eased. Israeli settlers continued to escalate their attacks on Palestinian civilians.
In Gaza, Israeli undercover forces carried out several attacks. Palestinian fishermen continue to be targeted by the Israeli navy and two Palestinians were wounded. Civil unrest continues to plague Gaza with civilians injured amidst the fighting. BBC reporter Alan Johnston is still being held captive by unknown people. His abduction sparked protests by Palestinian journalists in solidarity.
For more information, visit:
http://imemc.org
http://bilin-village.org
http://holylandtrust.org
http://pchrgaza.ps/
Vernon Bellecourt, primary spokesperson for the American Indian Movement, addressed the Third Annual International Convention of Al-Awda, The Palestinian Right to Return Coalition at UCLA, Apr 15, 2005. He details how what happened to Indians also happened to Palestinians. When he met Yassar Arafat for the first time he said, “We are the Palestinians and you are us.” This is a brilliant, cogent, moving speech.
For more information, visit:
http://www.al-awda.org
http://www.aimovement.org/