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Injured protester Emily Henochowicz’s artwork

Injured protester Emily Henochowicz’s artwork

By Jesse Bacon We covered the Israeli army’s shooting of Emiliy Henochowicz for protesting alongside Palestinians, causing her to lose her eye.I discovered she has a blog of her work, here are some of the photos you can view at the site. The works are powerful even when you are not thinking about what happened to her. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs

Pixies Cancel Concert in response to Gaza Freedom Flotilla Attack

Pixies Cancel Concert in response to Gaza Freedom Flotilla Attack

By Jesse Bacon I wrote earlier about how moved I was by the call for the Pixies to cancel their concert in Israel. What my blog post could not accomplish by itself, the Gaza Flotilla attack has. The Pixies have cancelled their concert, according to Ha’aretz. We can only hope for better days, in which we will finally present the long awaited visit of the Pixies in Israel.” I can only add, “to a free Israel and Palestine.” Here’s … Read entire article »

Filed under: Victories for Democracy

interview with Greta Berlin of Free Gaza Movement UPDATE: Israel takes over boat.

By Jesse Bacon Here’s a clip of Greta Berlin, who is twittering at @FreeGazaOrg She says boat should arrive within half hour if not stopped. IDF is jamming all transmission, but boat can be seen through binoculars from shore. Greta Berlin of Free Gaza Movement. UPDATE: Tweet from onboard says that Israel is towing boat to Ashdod. … Read entire article »

Filed under: On The Ground Reports

BREAKING: During Mariead Maguire interview, MV Rachel Corrie approached rapidly by Israeli navy

By Jesse Bacon I was interviewing Mairead Maguire, Irish Nobel Peace Laureate, when the MV Rachel Corrie was rapidly approached by the Israeli Navy, 65 miles from Gaza. We ended the call to keep the line clear. Hopefully the whole world really is watching. Listen here: Mariead Maguire … Read entire article »

Filed under: On The Ground Reports

Live from the Only Democracy? Exclusive: Denis Halliday aboard the Rachel Corrie

Live from the Only Democracy? Exclusive: Denis Halliday aboard the Rachel Corrie

By Jesse Bacon Contrary to some reports today, the Rachel Corrie is scheduled to arrive in Gaza about 10 pm Eastern Time. I will call back then, but had this conversation with an upbeat Dennis Halliday aboard the boat today. Here is the audio; I will post a cleaned up version over the weekend. Denis J. Halliday was the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq from September 1, 1997, until 1998. He is Irish and holds an … Read entire article »

Filed under: On The Ground Reports

Huwaida Arraf detained

Huwaida Arraf detained

by Jesse Bacon I called Huwaida Arraf for her second part of our interview to find she had been detained by Israeli police at the Friday Bil’in protest against the wall. Will check on a number to call. In the meantime, here’s her interview on Democracy Now! … Read entire article »

Filed under: On The Ground Reports

Live from the Only Democracy: 43 Years of Occupation

Live from the Only Democracy: 43 Years of Occupation

By Jesse Bacon Israel has stopped one boat, but it can’t stop the movement. Readers of this blog know the struggle has been going on long before the Gaza Freedom Flotilla set sail, and it continues and will only grow in strength. The protests commemorating the anniversary of the 1967 Occupation of the West Bank including East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip are carrying on, as more boats set sail for Gaza. We’ll have live tweets so night … Read entire article »

Filed under: On The Ground Reports

Live from The Only Democracy?: exclusive interview with Huwaida Arraf of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla

Live from The Only Democracy?: exclusive interview with Huwaida Arraf of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla

By Jesse Bacon I had the privilege of speaking with Huwaida Arraf of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla direct from Ramallah today. I will write up a transcript later of the talk, but for now here’s the interview audio, which takes a few seconds to begin in both clips. I will speak to her again tomorrow and be asking her more about what happened on May 31 itself. Huwaida Arraf Part 1 Huwaida Arraf Part 2 Huwaida Arraf is a pro-Palestinian … Read entire article »

Filed under: Featured, On The Ground Reports

Amidst Furor Over Gaza, Israel Shoots Out the Eye of Protester

Amidst Furor Over Gaza, Israel Shoots Out the Eye of Protester

From the International Solidarity Movement Warning: Graphic Photos. 31 May 2010: An 21-year old American solidarity activist was shot in the face with a tear gas canister during a demonstration in Qalandiya, today. Emily Henochowicz is currently in Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem undergoing surgery to remove her left eye, following the demonstration that was held in protest to Israel’s murder of at least 10 civilians aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international … Read entire article »

Filed under: On The Ground Reports

Gourmet in Gaza

Gourmet in Gaza

By Jesse Bacon As a food snob, I immediately think what restaurants are nearby when planning any excursion. Even if its to a beseiged war zone that Israel forbids from rebuilding. So it’s good to hear from the Israeli government that if by some chance they let me into Gaza there would be a gourmet restaurant waiting for me! No coriander allowed, but I am sure that leads the creative cooks into all sorts of Iron … Read entire article »

Filed under: Discrimination