Fatah student leaders in Gaza Strip announce ’state of alert’

Students called upon the Palestinian people to “stand together” to protect the university in Gaza City from “attacks by the Islamic bloc.”

The Fatah students also accused Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, of being responsible for attacks against students and workers at the university earlier this week, according to the statement.  >>>>>

It seems as if the pitting against a people against themselves is working.  Unless there is truly representation of honest-brokering, the fear is that the Palestinians will be doing the Israelis a favor by destroying themselves.

Arab media report: Israel ready to comply with Hamas demands

According to the Saudi Arabian newspaper Ukaz, the top Israeli negotiator, Amos Gilad, informed an unnamed Palestinian source that Israel is ready to free all of the prisoners demanded by the Hamas party in exchange for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Gilad’s office denied the report.  >>>>>

Prudent economics – “Replace capitalism with Islamic financial system,” says cleric

In response to: Replace capitalism with Islamic financial system: cleric

“The collapse of the capitalist system based on usury and paper and not on goods traded on the market is proof that it is in crisis and shows that Islamic economic philosophy is holding up,” said the Egyptian-born, Qatar-based cleric.

“The Western system has collapsed and we have a complete economic philosophy as well as spiritual strength,” he said at Sunday’s opening of a conference on Jerusalem. >>>>>

In an economic “system based on usury and paper and not on goods traded on the market” the borrower, (the average Westerner), is in a state of crisis from the signing of the contract.  The primary reason why many Western experts oppose this, is not because of the name Islam, but because Muslims are amongst the primary whistle-blowers about the inevitability of unjust economic enslavement of the average person.

Those who stand to benefit in a system that practices usury/interest are amongst the primary public-relations representative and co-conspirators of establishing a state of Islamophobia.

Take away the label of Islam, and deal with pure mathematics, logic, social conscience and justice — and the Islamic economic system is no doubt superior to capitalism and communism – put together.

Like the term ‘democracy,’ ‘capitalism’ is purported as great, but in practice is not even applied by the people who champion the cause.

Playing Palestinians off Against Each Other

Now, however, and judging by its behavior, Israel seems comfortable with Hamas’ control over Gaza. In addition to undermining Palestinian aspirations for independence and statehood, the split between Hamas in Gaza and Fateh in the West Bank is causing each to compete with the other over who can better prevent Palestinian violence against Israel. The split, moreover, and Hamas’ control over Gaza are reducing international pressure on Israel. Israel is thus free to continue its violations of international law, avoiding its responsibility to implement United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, expanding and building more illegal Jewish settlements in occupied territory and maintaining its draconian and inhuman closure policies in both the West Bank and on Gaza.  >>>>>

Tunnels feed besieged Gaza

Hundreds of tunnels under the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt are keeping many of the Palestinian territory’s 1.5 million impoverished residents supplied with food and fuel.

On Saturday, Egyptian authorities found the entrances of three tunnels and confiscated a large amount of fuel about to be smuggled into the territory.  >>>>>

US appeals NJ Muslim cleric immigration case

Qatanani, 44, won his fight to gain permanent U.S. residency in September, when a federal immigration judge determined the government’s case against the Palestinian was too weak to prove he had any ties to extremist groups.  The ruling would allow Qatanani and his family to remain in the country and eventually be eligible to apply for citizenship.

Immigration Judge Alberto J. Riefkohl questioned the reliability of the records submitted by the Department of Homeland Security purporting to show Qatanani’s arrest and conviction in Israel.  >>>>>

Hamas releases 35 imprisoned Fatah members to mark Muslim holiday

Hamas released 35 imprisoned Fatah members on Sunday as a goodwill gesture to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr and bolster Egyptian-mediated reconciliation efforts, Hamas spokesman Ehab el-Ghsain told Reuters.

Mohammed al-Qidwa, who was the governor of Gaza before the Hamas takeover in June 2007, was among those released. “Political arrests in all Palestinian Authority areas must end,” Qidwa told Reuters after he left prison. >>>>>

Islamic Jihad says in preparation for post-ceasefire phase

The armed wing of Islamic Jihad movement on Saturday said it was in preparation for the post-ceasefire era since a Hamas-Israel truce is near collapse. “The military training and maneuvers are part of preparations for post-ceasefire phase,” a spokesman for al-Quds Brigades, the movement’s military wing, said in Gaza city. >>>>>

Dr. Shallah: “Liberating Jerusalem comes with Jihad ad not by negotiations”

He added that “occupied Jerusalem is the issue which surpasses all internal divisions, political, racial, and religious regimes”.

“Jerusalem is the address which unifies whole nations”, he said, “It is not a slogan used in occasions and ceremonies, we must stop all internal divisions and unify our efforts to liberate the holy city”.  >>>>>

Palestine: From bad to wretched

Nonetheless, even if the Palestinian Authority had no history of corruption and genuinely intended to invest in a sustainable economy, no truly free and independent economy can flourish under occupation, whose very intention is the disempowerment of Palestinian workers, farmers and the middle class. It’s these strata of Palestinian society that have led the struggle to end the occupation on one hand and to resist local corruption on the other.  >>>>>

“…intention is the disempowerment of Palestinian workers, farmers and the middle class.” Americans of all races and religions are at the beginning stages of what the Palestinians are going through.  The common denominator has to be discovered, accepted and eradicated.

Hamas, Islamic Jihad call J’lem terror attack a ‘natural reaction’

An Islamic Jihad statement called the attack, during which an east Jerusalem Arab rammed his BMW into a crowd of IDF soldiers, tourists and citizens near the Old City’s Jaffa Gate “a natural response to the criminal occupation.” >>>>>

Terror claims against NJ Muslim leader rejected

U.S. immigration authorities had sought to deport Qatanani on grounds that he failed to disclose on his green card application a prior arrest and conviction in Israel for being a member of Hamas — a group classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.

Qatanani has denied being a Hamas member and said he was detained, not arrested, by the Israelis while traveling to his native West Bank in 1993. He said he was not notified of the charges against him or his conviction and that he was mentally and physically abused while in detention.   >>>>>

Islamic Jihad does not oppose Arab forces in Gaza

Nafez Azzam, an Islamic Jihad leader based in Gaza, voiced the stance of his movement to the press after being asked about the Egyptian proposal to send Arab forces to the territory.

“We welcome any Arab assistance for the Palestinians to arrange their internal condition,” but the Arab troops in Gaza “was a sensitive idea that needs a complete Palestinian understanding and deep evaluations,” Azzam said. >>>>>

Horowitz Announces `Stop the Jihad on Campus Week`

The week, also referred to as the “Stop the Jihad on Campus Week,” aims to, “publicize the ties between the Muslim Student Association and the Muslim Brotherhood — godfather organization of al-Qaeda and Hamas — and begin a movement to defund the MSA for misrepresenting its agendas and obstructing free speech on select campuses.”  >>>>>

Palestinian patients continue dying as a result of Israeli blockade

The Ministry called on all free minds and souls around the world to intervene immediately to relieve the suffering of such patients, by pressuring the Israeli occupation to reopen the crossings. Amidts this situation, the ministry also called on its staff workers to commit to working hours and not strike in compliance with ‘political controversies.’ >>>>>

Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza to PNN: only way out of crisis is dialogue

The Islamic Jihad leader said, “We believe that the solution lies not in bringing in such forces, but rather the solution lies in a concerted Arab effort, with full support, for dialogue. Reconciliation springs from dialogue and the introduction of Arab forces would clearly be viewed as supporting one party over another. If the Arab community is interested in helping us then they must support our dialogue. We do not want any Arab forces to get involved in our crisis.” The only party that did not oppose the introduction of Arab forces into the Gaza Strip when it was suggested was Fateh.  >>>>>

Hamas denies reports that its chief moved from Syria to Sudan

Palestinian Islamic Hamas movement on Tuesday denied some Arab media reports saying that the movement’s Damascus-based politburo chief Khaled Mashaal had moved his bureau from Syria to Sudan. >>>>>

Egypt Closes Key Gaza Crossing

EL-ARISH, Egypt, Sept 1–Egypt has sealed off the border crossing between Sinai and the Gaza Strip after a brief opening allowed thousands in and out of the besieged territory, a security official said. >>>>>

Palestinian police arrest 10 in Hamas mosque raids

HEBRON, West Bank – Palestinian police raided two mosques linked to the Islamist Hamas movement in the West Bank, seizing weapons caches and arresting more than 10 people, an official said on Saturday. >>>>>

Egyptian officials: Israeli flexibility on prisoner swap will pressure Hamas

A ministerial committee headed by Vice Premier Haim Ramon is expected to convene Sunday to discuss easing the criteria for the release of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has yet to comment on the committee’s work, but it is estimated that a change in Israel’s position would prompt Egypt to pressure the Islamist group into softening its stance as well. >>>>>