Blackout in Besieged Gaza City
The Gaza Strip's only power plant has shut down as Israel's blockade has dried up fuel supplies. Tonight Gazans are living in darkness as the second of the plant's two working turbines was switched off on the third day of a crippling Israeli blockade of the territory. "At least 800,000 people are now in darkness," Derar Abu Sissi, general director of the plant, said.
Sunday's shutdown has prompted fears of a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. This catastrophe is affecting hospitals, medical clinics, water wells, sewage treatment plants, water facilities, factories, homes- all aspects of life. Palestinians said the worst affected could be the health sector, with hospitals failing to provide services in the absence of electricity.
Food supplies have dwindled, thanks to Israel's blockade. And now there is no bread. Bakeries stopped operating because they did not have power or flour. Gazans are protesting in the streets-asking for bread.
Israel's targeting of a Hamas government office on Jan. 18, which caused serious casualties at a nearby wedding party was a "war crime" and those responsible should be punished, a United Nations official said yesterday. John Dugard, UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the occupied territories, slammed the killing of Palestinians in other attacks and the closing of border crossings.
"The killing of some 40 Palestinians in Gaza in the past week, the targeting of a government office near a wedding party venue with what must have been foreseen loss of life and injury to many civilians, and the closure of all crossings into Gaza raise very serious questions about Israel's respect for international law and its commitment to the peace process," Dugard said in a statement.
"Those responsible for such cowardly action are guilty of serious war crimes and should be prosecuted and punished for their crimes," Dugard said.
When U.S. government offices are closed, and the media is not paying attention, during special holidays-in this case Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday-Israel often takes full advantage to attack the people whose land it surrounds and occupies. Call your local news desk or the telephone numbers below. Don't let Israel continue to get away with war crimes.
WRITE OR TELEPHONE THOSE WORKING FOR YOU IN WASHINGTON AND DEMAND THAT THIS CARNAGE STOP-AND THAT YOUR TAX DOLLARS NO LONGER BE USED TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE:
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
(202) 456-1414
White House Comment Line: (202) 456-1111
Fax: (202) 456-2461Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Department of State
Washington, DC 20520
State Department Public Information Line:
(202) 647-6575Any Senator
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3121Any Representative
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-3121E-Mail Congress and the White House:
Congress: http://www.congress.org
President Bush: president@whitehouse.gov
Vice President Cheney: vice.president@whitehouse.govCONTACT THE EMBASSY OF ISRAEL TO DEMAND THAT IT STOP ESCALATING THE DEADLY CYCLE OF VIOLENCE:
Embassy of Israel
3514 International Dr., NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 364-5500For more info, contact: communications@wrmea.com
GAZA'S CRISIS REQUIRES AN URGENT HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Their cries require our response – Donate online now: http://www.refugeesupport.org
Support a refugee family in Gaza through TAKAFUL: The Palestinian Refugee Support Network today!
TAKAFUL: The Palestinian Refugee Support Network
http://www.refugeesupport.org/Every day, the news from Gaza continues to pour in – news that highlights the urgent humanitarian crisis for the people of Gaza. Following a week in which more than 30 Palestinians were killed by invading Israeli military forces and many times that number – including many children – were wounded by the ongoing bombing raids and invasions, and just one week after George W. Bush's meetings with Mahmud Abbas and Ehud Olmert, Israel ordered all border crossings into Gaza closed as it continued its deadly attacks on more than 1.5 million Palestinians already denied food, clean water, electricity and medical supplies.
On Saturday alone, 40 military tanks entered Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza and began destroying Palestinian homes. Gaza's power plant reports that it has fuel for only two more days of operations. The people of Gaza – 80% of them refugees – stand amidst a military occupation, constant attacks and a humanitarian crisis.
At this time, your support is desperately needed to help break the siege of Gaza and alleviate the humanitarian crisis that weighs so heavily on the people of Gaza. TAKAFUL-Palestinian Refugee Support Network urges all people of conscience to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza during these difficult times by adopting a Gazan family at $100 per month, or sharing in adopting a family at $60 per month. TAKAFUL project provides a unique way to provide relief to Palestinian refugee families, through direct financial support that helps families sustain themselves and their minimum survival needs.
Your contribution is tax-deductible in the United States. Contribute online TODAY and help to break the humanitarian crisis on the people of Gaza!
Donate online now:
{ 19 } Comments
A Candle For Gaza | شمعة من أجل غزة
http://acandleforgaza.blogspot.com/
Should the King Center return the American Liberties Medallion award given to Dr. King in 1965 for his advancement of the principles of human liberty by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), and join in solidarity with the Palestinian people suffering endlessly in Gaza and elsewhere?
http://homo-sapien-underground.blogspot.com/
This is what I have been saying for some time now.
The Zionists are the 21st century NAZIs.
As long as the US blocks any UN sanctions against them, they will do anything they can to kill Palestinians.
You can only blame the US.
7asbona alllah wa ne3ma elwakeeel
Protests Planned in the US To Break The Silence On Gaza
UPDATE: BREAK THE SILENCE ON GAZA!
For Immediate Release
January 22, 2008
COALITION CALLS FOR EMERGENCY PROTESTS FOR GAZA!
JOIN US!
The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, the National Council of Arab Americans, Free
Palestine Alliance, Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, Palestinian
American Women's Association together with Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to
Return Coalition, and several other organizations are calling for emergency
protests demanding an immediate end to the Israeli blockade and siege of
Gaza. Protests will take place on January 25-26 at Israeli embassies,
consulates, U.S. federal buildings and other locations.
Among the cities where emergency protests will take place:
Anaheim, California: Saturday, Jan. 26, 1 p.m. 512 S. Brookhurst St.
Between Orange Ave. & Broadway)
Washington DC: Friday, Jan. 25 (time tba), at the Israeli Embassy, 3514
International Dr. N.W.
San Francisco, California: Friday, Jan. 25, 4-6 p.m., Israeli Consulate, 456
Montgomery St. (near California)
New York, New York: Saturday, Jan. 26, 1 p.m. at the Israeli Embassy, 43rd
St. and 2nd Ave.
Chicago, Illinois: Tues., Jan. 29, 5 pm at the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 North
Broadway (at benefit for the Friends of the 'Israeli Defense Force').
Initiated by ISM. Call 773-463-0311 for more information.
Seattle Washington: Friday, January 25, 4 p.m., Westlake Park, 4th & Pine
Sts.
Sabah, your notes on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is excellent. I also posted additional information on my blog http://tarek.hoteit.org
Great blog, Tarek!
Keep up the good work.
thanks Haytham. I regularly read your blog (subscribed to it via RSS). Your writing is amazing. Keep it up my friend. Feel free to use any content on my blog, and if you need any info let me know.
sorry man, first I typed Sabah rather than Sabbah, and now Haytham rather than Haitham. Mohom el-niyi. :-)
http://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:2785.902060008/rid:e0689470296f52290e5bd2df35c7ea4d
The Muslim Public Affairs Council announced today that it will hold an interfaith vigil for the 1.5 million residents of the Gaza Strip, who are suffering from collective punishment by Israel's decision on January 17 to cutoff fuel supplies, which has worsened an already critical humanitarian crisis
WHAT: Interfaith Vigil for Gaza Strip Victims
WHEN: Sunday, January 27 at 6pm
WHERE: Islamic Center of Southern California
WHO: Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guib
Rabbi Steven Jacobs
Dr. Maher Hathout
Also, another protest has been added in San Diego
San Diego: Meet Friday (1/25) at 3:00 PM at the corner of Broadway and Front Street,
downtown in front of the Federal Building. Demo from 3:00 to 5:30 PM.
Please keep HOPE alive Gaza. Haitham I hope you don't mind me posting these here, but I want EVERYONE who can possibly go to any of these protests/vigils to know about them. Today I could NOT hold my tongue on the White House hotline as I told the operator that our so-called "Christian" president was turning a blind eye to this suffering and crime. My closing words were, "your boss is no more a Christian than a pigs foot is Christian" (I guess I lost it) And for any other Christian Americans reading here, it is your DUTY to call those numbers above and speak out. Tell whoever you can talk to turning a blind eye to this as Israel collectively punishes, starves, kills, and deprives Gazans of clean water, this is a HUMANITARIAN crime that goes against everything our country is SUPPOSED to stand for. The US CAN do something about this if they choose to, and they will only CHOOSE to if ENOUGH people speak out.
And it does NOT matter what faith you are or are NOT, SPEAK OUT to American government sources, they are there to serve US as it's citizens, not the other way around!
This cartoon realy describes it all
Respect All,
Latuff's cartoons are always beyond expectations.
MORE PROTESTS!! They are spreading WORLDWIDE.
LISTING OF DEMONSTRATIONS TO BREAK THE SILENCE ON GAZA!
Thanks to all who wrote to inform us of their demonstrations. The following is a partial listing of emergency protests taking place in the US, Europe and Australia. Some may have already taken place. We apologize if your demo has not been listed as yet. Please check http://al-awda.org/alert-gaza3.html for future updates.
Albuquerque, New Mexico: Saturday January 26, 2:00-3:30 PM, Corner of Tulane and Central S.E.
Anaheim, California: Saturday January 26, 1 PM 512 S. Brookhurst St. Between Orange Ave. & Broadway
Barmen, Germany: Saturday January 26, 11 PM wigil followed rally in Wuppertal, in front of the town hall in Barmen
Berlin, Germany: Wednesday 23 January 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
Boston, Massachusetts: Thursday, January 24, noon Israeli Consulate and Saturday, January 26, noon-1 PM in Harvard Square
Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana: Tuesday January 22, 11 AM at the Quad
Charlotte, North Carolina: Saturday January 26, 4 PM Forum, Charlotte Energy Solutions, 337 Baldwin Ave; Organized by Charlotte Action
Chicago, Illinois: Tuesday January 29, 5 PM at the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 North Broadway (at benefit for the Friends of the 'Israeli Defense Force'). Initiated by ISM. Call 773-463-0311 for more information.
Cleveland, Ohio: January 26, 2 PM at Cleveland's Market Square at W. 25th & Lorain Avenue, across from the West Side Market – March to West 25th and Franklin
Cologne, Germany: Saturday, January 26, 2 – 4 PM, Domplatte (Cologne Cathedral)
Costa Mesa, California: Friday, January 25, 5-7 PM, vigil at Bristol & Anton
Edinburgh, Scotland: Wednesday January 23, 5:30 PM at the foot of the Mound, Princes Street.
Glasgow, Scotland: Friday January 25, 5:30 PMGeorge Square.
Leicester, England: Thursday 24 January, 5.30 to 6.30 PM The Clock Tower, Town Centre
London, England: Thursday January 24, 6 PM and Saturday January 26, 4 PM Opposite 10 Downing Street, Whitehall.
Melbourne, Australia: Friday January 25 8:00 AM rally at the offices of ABC Radio at Southbank.
Montreal, Canada: Wednesday January 23, 5 PM, Phillips Square, Saint Catherine Street opposite The Bay department store (Metro McGill) and Friday January 25, 2:00 PM
De Maisonneuve Boulevard corner of MacKay Street, Montreal (Metro Guy-Concordia).
New York, New York: Friday January 25, 3 PM, and Saturday January 26 1 PM – both at the 'Israeli' Embassy, 43rd St. and 2nd Ave.
Paris, France: Wednesday January 23, 5:30 PM at the Palais de l'Elysee.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Friday, January 25 12 noon, press conference and vigil in front of the Israeli Consulate (15th & Locust) and Saturday, January 26 assemble at 12 noon to march from 5th and Market Sts. to the Israeli Consulate (15th & Locust)
Phoenix, Arizona: January 26, 6:30 PM Downtown Tempe, at the corner of Mill Ave and University Drive.
St. Paul, Minnesota: Friday January 25, 4:15-5:30 P.M., Corner of Summit and Snelling Aves
San Diego, California: Friday January 25, 3:00 – 5:30 PM downtown corner of Broadway and Front Street (infront of Federal Building)
San Francisco, California: Friday, January 25, 4-6 PM, Israeli Consulate, 456 Montgomery St. (near California).
Santa Barbara, California Friday 25 January, 11 AM – 1 PM at UC Santa Barbara in front of Arbor Area
Seattle, Washington: Friday January 25 4 PM, Westlake Park, 4th & Pine streets.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Saturday January 26, 12 Noon at 12th & Phillips
Strasbourg, France: Saturday 26 January, 5 to 6 PM, Place Kleber
Swansea, Wales: Saturday January 26, 12 PM, City Centre of Swansea Front of the Castel
Toronto, Canada: Friday January 25, 5 PM Israeli Consulate at 180 Bloor St. West
Vienna, Austria: Saturday, January 26, 2 – 4 PM at the Pestsäule/Graben
Washington DC: Friday January 25, 4 PM at the Israeli Embassy, 3514 International Dr. N.W.
KEEP HOPE Gaza!! We know you broke free but this WHOLE siege must end!!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article3459144.ece
note that the jews are actually referring to their assault as "holocaust" themselves
This crisis in Gaza is appalling and sickening! What, did Olmert read Mein Kampf and develop a case of demon envy?
i want to add your slideshow to my facebook. how do i do that? please let me know. i want to show it to as many people as i can. maybe it would change hearts.
@Muslimah – I assume you are talking about this:
http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2008/12/29/gaza-massacre-slideshow/
I don't know about Facebook, but you can get the code of this slideshow from here:
http://tinyurl.com/a24ynx
اللهم إني لا أسالك ردَ القضاء Ùˆ أسالك اللط٠Ùيه.
I think the war in Gaza is disgusting. I dont understand how the world can continue living their life casually knowing what is happening. I am unable to be of any help financially but if you know of any other way in which i could help, please get back to me
oceansoul.kiki@gmail.com
thank you
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ACTION ALERT: Holocaust in Gaza!:
Image by: Carlos Latuff Blackout in Besieged Gaza City The Gaza Strip&.. http://tinyurl.com/3c4clv
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[...] his blog, Haitham Sabbah encourages readers to support Gazan families through donations and has this to say about the situation: "If Israel and its allies think that the siege and [...]
[...] Holocaust in Gaza – Breaking the walls “Those responsible for such cowardly action are guilty of serious war crimes and should be prosecuted and punished for their crimes,†Dugard said. [...]