How the IHRA definition of antisemitism is chilling Palestine advocacy in Europe

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism has been deployed all over the world to stifle and even make illegal any support for Palestinian rights. Yet its proponents continue to say it is just a non-binding guideline, a suggestion. This is disingenuous, to put it kindly, as a new report from the European Legal Support Center makes clear in its…

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On October 11th, four days after Hamas’s attack and Israel’s declaration of war, thousands of Gazan workers logged on to the blue-and-white-colored defense ministry app Al Munaseq (“the coordinator”) to find that Israeli authorities had revoked their work permits, stripping them of their legal status. The change meant that these workers could no longer remain in Israel, but they also could not return home to Gaza, which Israel had placed under a hermetic siege and constant bombardment. “Our situation is very difficult right now,” Saleh, a Gazan who usually works in Jaffa, told Jewish Currents, using a pseudonym for fear of further retaliation. The permit revocation was ordered by the Coordinator of Government Activity in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli body in charge of Palestinian civilian affairs, and came without any explanation or instruction. And just hours after the permits were revoked, Israeli authorities began detaining the now-illegal workers. By October 17th, 4,000 workers had been detained without trial to check if they “helped Hamas in planning the massacre, ” according to Israel’s Channel 12. Jessica Montell, the executive director of Israeli human rights organization HaMoked, told Jewish Currents that the arrest campaign is “unprecedented in both scope and lack of transparency,” noting that “overnight, thousands of people who had Israeli work permits became illegal aliens and have been rounded up.” Each of these moves is illegal under international law and a “prohibited act of vengeance against the workers,” according to a letter five Israeli human rights organizations sent to Israel’s defense minister, attorney general, and head of COGAT on October 12th. [x]

- jonathan shamir for jewish currents on october 19, 2023

As of Friday, Israel was holding 7,677 Palestinians as what it deems security inmates, and another 2,873 Palestinians as administrative detainees — which means they can be held without charge, indefinitely. More than 1,500 of the arrests were made in November alone. These figures were sent to NPR by HaMoked, an Israeli nonprofit that offers legal aid to Palestinians living under occupation. It draws data directly from Israel's prison service.

The top Palestinian official overseeing prisoners' affairs, Qadoura Fares, who belongs to the Fatah party, Hamas' rival, says more than 3,000 Palestinians have been arrested in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in total since Oct. 7.

“The majority of them, 90% of them, are victims — not prisoners,” Fares told NPR in an interview last week at his office in Ramallah. He says most of them are minors accused of nonviolent offenses.

“These are people Israel has decided to arrest for endangering Israeli security — without clarifying why, how, with whom,” Fares says.

Fares accuses Israel of stepping up arrest raids during the latest Gaza war, in order to intimidate Palestinian communities and also have more detainees to negotiate with in prisoner exchanges.

Before this war, the United Nations and human rights groups had criticized the application of military law to Palestinian civilians. They've also criticized the uptick in Israeli arrest raids since the war began.

“The scale of detentions and arrests [of Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem] since the 7th of October, and those without charges or trial, is unprecedented,” Budour Hassan, an Amnesty International researcher based in the West Bank, tells NPR. “Palestinian detainees are telling us about humiliation and reprisals, even though they had nothing to do with the Oct. 7 attacks. It's a tactic of collective reprisal against all Palestinians.”

The prison figures show that out of a total of at least 10,550 Palestinians in Israeli custody, nearly 40% of them are held without charge. Many of them are accused of nonviolent offenses.

(continue reading)

there's a war going on, but the blog is gonna slow down as I am currently having antibiotics and fluids pushed through IV. I'm not gonna die from that, but I feel like shit, so no insightful blogging for a while (will update if they take me down to the emergency bunker hospital).

anyway, learned that the international fund freezing reached some humanitarian groups, so go support the good people in

hamoked- https://hamoked.org/donate.php

Gisha- https://gisha.org/en/donation/

and my darlings

PRC https://www.palestinercs.org/en/Donation

MDA https://give.zakaworld.org/campaign/protection-kits-2023-support-zaka-search-and-rescue/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=menu-button

Standing together- https://www.standing-together.org/en

I don't know if anyone remembers my saga about the weird dreams i've been having my whole life about a man with yellow eyes- and the dreams that inspired the fanfic i wrote titled 'the devil doesn't know' but i had another dream about him last night for the first time in like- over a year.

we where sitting on a hamok outside of my cousins house and it was raining but none of it was hitting us, i remember hearing the sound of it hitting the leaves above us but not feeling wet. we where just sitting and talking and he was just touching my hair and telling me sweet nothings. I don't remember a lot of what he said but i do remember having a conversation of like "you want to marry me?" and him being like "of course i do"

and then near the end we were hearing this growling from the woods and he told me to get inside the house and we almost did like- so close but before we could shut the door there was this big black dog that i litterally thought was going to rip my arm off that slipped inside and he said something like "don't worry, it's not for you it's for me"

and then he gave it this thing that looked and sounded like a marble, like small and white and glassy, but definitely was /not/ a marble and the dog kinda just waited and like- gave it back to him???? that dog looked like a literal hell hound and now that i'm thinking about it- i've definitely seen it in my dreams before like- always on the edges just watching me.

after that i think i sunk through the floor and i can't remember the rest of the dream. it feels like i only ever dream about him when my life is like in complete chaos. the dog is probably just a manifestation of my subconscious or something idk but! weird dreams!

Bean, what type of noise does DK make whenever he feels content? (Just asking for a social experiment) OwO

He tends to hum and doze off when he's content! Sure, he's a big dude, but he likes to chill and relax when he has the free downtime! His favorite place to relax is my lap, although sometimes we cuddle in his hamok!

Regardless, he always ends up humming or singing softly to me when I rub his temples or kiss the top of his head.

[SELECTIVE PROSECUTION : HOME DEMOLISHMENT. PART II (IMPOSED ON THE DEAD)

The nature of criminal liability is that a punishment must be inflicted based on the individual’s wrongdoing and when the individual can be accountable for a crime. For this reason, criminal punishment is inflicted on living individuals.

Nonetheless, Israel imposes home demolishment orders even when the alleged perpetrator has passed. 

We cannot comprehend the idea of demolishing a person’s house when he has yet to be found guilty. Even more when the person has passed. 

These leaves nothing but injustice to the family members, persons residing in the building or even the landlords who has nothing to do with the alleged offence.

This practice of home demolishment should be put to an end once and for all. Being a piece of legislation from the British Mandatory Period, Israel must repeal this abusive law. 

Source : Expert Opinion. The Lawfulness of Israel’s House Demolition Policy under International Law and Israeli Law. Opinion Provided in Lieu of Testimony before the Court, signed opinion to be construed an oath sworn in Court. HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual et al. v IDF Commander in the West Bank. p.24. November 2014.

How Israel keeps hundreds of Palestinians in detention without charge

Analysis by Ishaan Tharoor Columnist

November 27, 2023 at 10:57 p.m. EST

Under international law, the practice of administrative detention is supposed to be used only in exceptional circumstances. But, as Israeli and international human rights groups document, it has become more the norm in the West Bank. Even before Oct. 7, smoldering tensions and violence in the West Bank had led to a three-decade high in administrative detentions. Then, according to the Israeli human rights organization HaMoked, the total number of Palestinians in administrative detention went from 1,319 on Oct. 1 to 2,070 on Nov. 1 — close to a third of the total Palestinian prisoner population.

Israel’s critics contend that even those charged with specific crimes face a skewed, unfair justice system. Palestinians in the West Bank are subject to Israeli military courts, unlike the half-million Jewish settlers who live in their midst. These courts have in some years churned out convictions at a 99 percent rate, a state of affairs that raises questions about the due process afforded to Palestinians.

“Palestinians are routinely denied counsel, for example, and faced with language barriers and mistranslations that taint testimonies and confessions used in court,” explained Vox’s Abdallah Fayyad. “But it’s not only a lack of due process that plagues this legal system. Oftentimes, these cases are based on specious and far-reaching charges.”

The dynamics of the Israeli carceral system for Palestinians have long undergirded anger over the broader nature of Israel’s military occupation of the Palestinian territories. “The power to incarcerate people who have not been convicted or even charged with anything for lengthy periods of time, based on secret ‘evidence’ that they cannot challenge, is an extreme power,” noted Israeli human rights group B’Tselem. “Israel uses it continuously and extensively, routinely holding hundreds of Palestinians at any given moment.”

Hey! How are you doing these days? I still love your work, but totally understand if you’re not as into this blog as you used to be. I was wondering if you could build a few name sets for me? One with Korean and Irish place names, another with Korean and Irish first names, and then another with Irish and Jewish place names, and Irish and Jewish first names? Totally okay if you’re not interested! I’ve got an inkling for how I want to build out a new region in my world that is mainly island based following a terrible environmental diaspora. Anyways, I hope you’re well!

south and north korean cities + urban areas of the republic of ireland

Aftea Afteennew Afterea Aftereda Aftergen Anassale Andons Angne Arinsage Arken Arlar Arlin Arnin Arriel Arvan Asandedy Asejone Athal Athney Atinchon Atown Auton Bagare Bailrus Baing Balbrang Balbri Ballarn Balliged Ballon Ballow Bally Ballybof Ballyboy Balsto Balty Balybort Basangsea Baseatae Bataejons Batang Befort Beratam Berea Blanam Blaois Boram Borea Boready Boyanmed Boylee Brictle Bridge Bucheonse Buchong Buchunick Bungju Bunistow Bunty Cahicher Cahick Cahis Carded Cards Carea Careasan Carey Carne Carris Casagheon Casejon Casongju Casteryon Castleve Caven Cavendon Ceson Chaek Chang Channe Chavang Chelly Cheon Cheone Cheong Cheonggae Cheossan Cheree Chong Chongju Chongwon Chonney Chung Chungher Citarnent Clahiclon Clahilken Clamyang Clarnd Clate Clath Clayon Clayto Clonjam Clown Cludiss Clusokpo Cochon Comchel Cooleek Cortae Corthcong Corton Cough Coung Cousken Crourins Daeju Daese Daessokpo Danmacock Dathy Dinisiong Dirgimjin Discock Disinclay Distmese Divinis Diviss Dongnal Dongtae Donsan Dorovir Drichan Dridge Drigoree Driwan Droole Dulsaghan Dundon Dundona Dunis Dunty Enampo Enavan Ennon Fived Forea Forkensan Fornel Gangal Gangne Gangye Ganny Garee Garrigo Geder Geung Geunick Gimcheung Gimes Gimjiyon Ginche Gingson Ginis Ginney Gonsagh Gonsang Gorth Goyan Goylee Goyne Grang Grangsong Grarnina Greasan Gunce Gunclong Gundaeson Gungaek Gungwick Gurbs Gurnewcal Gwacrey Gwanden Gwang Gwate Gwath Gwichong Gwipo Gwong Gworklon Gyangju Gyeoju Gyeon Gyeongne Hamea Hamed Hamel Hamhernis Hamjins Hamok Hamough Hamul Havede Heongju Herndorne Huiju Hwacheong Hwang Hwangalk Hwangna Hwatheon Hwathlim Ichundate Icity Iksalinju Incess Incheong Inchon Inderemoy Inegan Ingjin Inrov Insacarry Inuijeong Inuiju Iryan Iseon Istong Jeommi Jeong Jeongumi Jeongwore Jeonon Jeoughae Jinchel Jincran Jinticts Jiyonjank Kaejeong Kangad Kangjin Kangtae Kangtarn Kangto Kenastmea Kenavan Kenmel Kensan Keryon Kibbefor Kilcon Kilcoung Kilcull Kiletown Killaim Killay Killyja Kilrusk Kimel Kimerea Kinamchon Kinceseju Kingta Kinim Kinpo Korey Korthed Kusan Leisin Leistown Leixmity Lincreate Lingtow Loerridge Lount Ludiry Macheon Macre Maillyhan Mallechan Marney Maryang Masang Meradee Metter Midge Migtow Millinsan Minna Moatipper Mokcheong Mongne Mongrang Mortamu Mortmere Moughren Mounpo Mouson Moyan Moyang Municity Munim Nabarnew Nacouth Naged Naggyeon Nalwatany Namead Namgyane Namgyang Namhart Nangcheon Nasarne Nestmery Newcarr Nocheon Nomch Nommige Nonggimed Noolve Noraynew Noree Norey Notty Offall Ongju Ongwan Onsang Ortowns Osana Osanggaek Oscouton Otheongbu Palty Pasangju Paste Pohans Polin Polve Provis Pyeole Pyeong Pyeongju Pyeosubu Pyesang Pyong Pyonsh Radee Ramel Raseon Raseund Ratin Ratow Roommon Rosachere Rossonest Rovistpo Rusionpo Ryang Sanaase Sanen Sarim Sarnim Sarth Seath Seonang Seong Seongal Seonpo Seonsal Seony Sihel Sihenrov Singan Sinham Sinnew Sinross Sixlin Skill Slins Sokchung Sokpo Sonagh Sonamhaes Songwang Songyeon Sonpo Sterk Stleitae Stong Stpoleen Strigard Sublathy Sublaton Subusion Suiju Suirea Suncia Sunded Sundedy Swongeumi Swonggaes Sword Tangju Theld Theon Thistmean Tincheon Tions Tokcher Towel Tridge Tries Trimjeon Trinny Tulst Turken Uijeon Uirri Ulebore Untong Uriggans Waynew Werateek Werea Werey Wexfords Wexfort Whick Whicklown Whillinpo Whiredena Wichurbs Wonell Wongnince Wonju Wonpo Yeong Yeongbu Yeoutong Yoneum

International leaders push social media companies to ban anti-Zionist speech

The latest wave of work to define criticism of Israel as antisemitism is gathering momentum. This is a strategy with both a grassroots and a top-down strategy. This piece looks at a new and ongoing iteration of efforts by senior lawmakers in the United States and Europe to stigmatize and, wherever possible, criminalize criticism of Israel. When your audience is too liberal to accept an overt…

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there are many posts today by palestinians talking about the nabka, all of which deserve boosting and reblogging, and I don't want to detract from their messages by adding to them, but i wanted to compile a list of explicitly jewish organisations opposing and working to end the occupation.

if you know of any that are not listed, please add to the list.

b'tselem (occupied palestine)

breaking the silence (occupied palestine)

hamoked (occupied palestine)

independent jewish voices (canada)

if not now (USA)

jewish voice for peace (USA)

true torah jews (USA)

na'amod (UK)

vashti media (UK)

jewish voices for just peace (ireland)

jewish-israeli dissent (germany)

Israeli rules say West Bank visitors must declare love interest

Foreigners must tell the Israeli defence ministry if they fall in love with a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank, according to new rules  

Foreigners must tell the Israeli defence ministry if they fall in love with a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank, according to new rules. If they marry, they will be required to leave after 27 months for a cooling-off period of at least half a year.

The regulations laid out in a lengthy document include a demand on foreigners to inform the Israeli authorities within 30 days of starting a relationship with a Palestinian ID holder.

It is part of a tightening of rules on foreigners living in, or wanting to visit, the West Bank. Palestinians and Israeli NGOs have accused Israel of "taking restrictions to a new level". 

"This is about demographic engineering of Palestinian society and isolating Palestinian society from the outside world," says Jessica Montell, executive director of the Israeli non-governmental organisation HaMoked, which has petitioned the Israeli High Court against the regulations. "They make it much more difficult for people to come and work in Palestinian institutions, volunteer, invest, teach and study."

Apartheid in action. And people still come into my inbox and call me an anti-Semite and say that what is happening in Israel is not Apartheid.

Reminder that three human right’s organizations, including Amnesty International have outright stated that Israel is an Apartheid state.

Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: a cruel system of domination and a crime against humanity

A Threshold Crossed: Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution       

Israel’s 55-year occupation of Palestinian Territory is apartheid – UN human rights expert 

Israel is an apartheid state, Amnesty International says

Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in OPT: Israel Has Imposed Upon Palestine an Apartheid Reality in a Post-apartheid World  

It was underwater as shelby was seeing a sparkle,without hesitation,she placed her hat on the hamok where she slept,took a deep breath and dove underwater!)

Dread gasped! "Shelby!"

In the two months since declaring a state of war in the wake of the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel, Israeli forces have arrested more than 3,000 Palestinians, detaining many of them without charge. This number does not include the estimated 4,000 laborers from Gaza who were in Israel when the war broke out and were detained for weeks before being deported back to the besieged Strip. 

According to the human rights NGO HaMoked, among the more that 7,600 “security” inmates that Israel is currently holding in prisons across Israel and the occupied West Bank are at least 260 Palestinians that it defines as “unlawful combatants,” including those who participated in the attacks of October 7. Members of that group, say the former inmates who spoke to +972, are being held in a designated section of Ofer Prison, west of Ramallah, and their constant screams can be heard alongside the barking of dogs. Israel is concealing the names and detention conditions of many of the detainees from Gaza and is preventing lawyers and the Red Cross from visiting them.

Israeli authorities have dramatically increased their use of administrative detention, a form of arbitrary detention, of Palestinians across the occupied West Bank; extended emergency measures that facilitate inhuman and degrading treatment of prisoners; and failed to investigate incidents of torture and death in custody over the past four weeks, Amnesty International said today. Since 7 October, Israeli forces have detained more than 2,200 Palestinian men and women, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club. According to Israeli human rights organization HaMoked between 1 October and 1 November, the total number of Palestinians held in administrative detention, without charge or trial, rose from 1,319 to 2,070. Testimony from released detainees and human rights lawyers, as well as video footage and images illustrate some of the forms of torture and other ill-treatment prisoners have been subjected to by Israeli forces over the past four weeks. These include severe beatings and humiliation of detainees, including by forcing them to keep their heads down, to kneel on the floor during inmate count, and to sing Israeli songs. “Over the last month we have witnessed a significant spike in Israel’s use of administrative detention – detention without charge or trial that can be renewed indefinitely – which was already at a 20-year high before the latest escalation in hostilities on 7 October. Administrative detention is one of the key tools through which Israel has enforced its system of apartheid against Palestinians. Testimonies and video evidence also point to numerous incidents of torture and other ill-treatment by Israeli forces including severe beatings and deliberate humiliation of Palestinians who are detained in dire conditions,” said Heba Morayef, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Israel/OPT: Horrifying cases of torture and degrading treatment of Palestinian detainees amid spike in arbitrary arrests   - Amnesty International