Nakba Day protesters try to claim the "Right of Return" with their bodies

Lebanon - When the masses are driven by a dream, hope, and suppressed anger, no force can control the outpour of emotions or stop the surge of the crowds.

That is what happened over 20 years ago when on "Nakba Day" thousands of Palestinians and Jordanians went in buses and cars to demonstrate near King Hussein Bridge at the Jordanian-Israeli border. I was among the masses covering the story for UPI. Despite the heavy presence of the Jordanian army and the calls for restraint by Unionists and political party leaders, the sight of Palestine so close, yet so far, across the bridge, prompted the masses to charge towards the border. The scene was chaotic, teargas and shots in the air could hardly stop the crowds who were hypnotized by the determination to move on and enforce their Right of Return.

Today, on the 63rd anniversary of the Nakba, when the Palestinian refugee problem was created along with the establishment of the State of Israel, thousands of people in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt protested at those countries' borders with Israel. Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza held their own demonstrations near fences and walls that separate them from the rest of the Palestinian Territories or from Israel.  

Thousands of Palestinian refugees and Lebanese were shuttled from Saida to the border area in buses this morning. People were also shuttled from different parts in Syria to the border. The fact that they were allowed to reach the border could be interpreted as an encouragement by Hizbullah and the Syrian regime.

Hundreds effectively destroyed the border fences and entered the other side. Four were killed by Israeli fire on the border with Syria. 10 were killed in Lebanon. 

Israeli sources said 13 people were lightly wounded on Israel's side of the border near the Druze village of Majdal Shams, including 10 Israeli soldiers, by stones hurled by Nakba Day protesters.

"We'll be back" shouted the protesters returning into Syrian territory.

These people went to claim their Right of Return with their own bodies. The Israeli army may have expected trouble at the border with Lebanon, but events showed they had least expected trouble at the usually quiet border with Syria.
The Palestinians wanted to show today that they are part of the Arab revolutions. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13406869)

What do the events of today show?

For most Palestinians, it shows that the refugees have not given up on the Right of Return,  that the old and the young living in refugee camps have not forgotten. It shows that for the Arab people, the Palestinian problem and the refugee issue is still at the core of the Middle East conflict. 

Some Israeli commentators suggested that the Syrian regime and Hizbullah may be using Nakba Day to deflect attention from the bloody incidents and protests taking place in Syria. Others said the events in Lebanon and Gaza bore the fingerprints of Iran. 

Netanyahu said the Nakba Day events were not about the 1967 borders, but rather about "undermining the very existence of Israel." (http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-israel-is-determined-to-defend-its-borders-sovereignty-1.361915)

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh told a crowd of some 10,000 people in Gaza that "Palestinians mark the occasion this year with great hope of bringing to an end the Zionist project in Palestine." (http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/hamas-leader-on-nakba-day-the-zionist-project-must-end-1.361798)

It is true that 63 years after the Nakba, many of those refugees uprooted from their homes and living in squalid camps in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Gaza and in the West Bank do not recognize Israel's right to exist and still hope to return to their homes in what is now Israel. These people have not given up the dream. Some had hoped the 1993 Oslo accords would end their plight, but over the years, these people saw Oslo had led to further slicing of what remained of Palestine: the gradual loss of Jerusalem, and a big chunk of the West Bank eaten up by settlements. In the end, it meant more displacement.

The majority of Palestinians who believed peace negotiations would end occupation are becoming a minority, as the Israeli society is moving more and more to the right. 

"I am horrified by the way the barrier affects the Palestinians," said Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos during a visit to Jerusalem on the eve of Nakba Day. She noted that the Israeli policies of home demolitions and restrictive measures lead to forced displacement from Jerusalem and from the rest of the West Bank.

One-State Solution:

I was sitting with some Palestinian refugees in Beirut yesterday discussing the Right of Return and was struck by the deep conviction of those refugees who had never seen Palestine that eventually they will return to Haifa, Yaffa, Safad, and other towns and villages their parents were forced to flee in 1948.  

The discussion turned to the issue of the two-state solution. None of the six people I had coffee with believed it was still a viable solution. They were debating the possibility of lobbying for the one-state solution. They said discussions among refugees in exile were already underway to build support for the idea among the younger generation as a means to return to their homeland.  
Israel has repeatedly said it would never accept the one-state solution.    

The older generation still held on to their home keys and told stories about their childhood in Palestine.

In the camps of Mar Elias and Shatila, the young men and women hardly knew anything about Safad or Haifa, or their original towns and villages. They knew they were Palestinians from this or that village but had little or no information apart from that.

"If you want to know more about Safad, ask my father, he remembers," Salah, 16, from Shatila, told me.

But when asked if he wanted to return, he replied: "Nothing will stop me from hoping for the realization of that day."

If One Day A People Desires To Live

((THIS BLOG REPRESENTS MY PERSONAL VIEWS, NOT MY EMPLOYERS))

Tunisian poet Abul Qassem Al-Shabi’s famous poem: “The Will of Life” reads:
“If, one day, a people desires to live, then fate will answer their call.
And their night will then begin to fade, and their chains break and fall.
For he who is not embraced by a passion for life will dissipate into thin air,
At least that is what all creation has told me, and what its hidden spirits declare…”
Translated by Elliott Colla.


An Egyptian man shouted anti-government slogans before setting himself on fire in Egypt today Monday. Another man also dissatisfied with his government set himself on fire in Mauritania.

Despair may have led these individuals to believe that copying Mohamed Bouazid would lead to change. Two weeks ago, Bouazid set fire to himself in the southern Tunisian city of Sidi Bouzid after police prevented him from selling his vegetables, sparking anti-government riots that toppled Zein El Abideen Ben Ali’s regime.

Last week’s protests in Algeria subsided when the government retracted on price hikes. Anti-government protests in Jordan and Libya have continued. Demonstrations against price hikes took place in several Palestinian cities. The Yemenis also protested in support of the Tunisians.

In the past, we have seen individuals or political parties leading revolts and rebellions.
In Tunisia’s case, the angry masses led the change. The move was popular and secular. It is interesting to see that protests that followed in some parts of the Arab world were not led by the Islamists.

Could the Tunisia uprising have emboldened the ordinary Arab who shares the same economic grievances and absence of democracy?

Events in Tunisia sent shock waves beyond the Tunisian borders.

Has the level of anger in the Arab world reached a limit? One has to follow the outpour of comments on face book and twitter to read the sentiments of the younger generation across the Arab world. Abul Qassem al-Shabi’s poem may never have been as popular as it was last week.

Could unilateralism in Jerusalem bring the Palestinians closer to statehood

(THE VIEWS IN MY BLOG ARE PERSONAL AND DO NOT REPRESENT MY EMPLOYER)

The razing of the Shepherd Hotel in Jerusalem to make room for the construction of 20 housing units for Jewish families on the site is yet another example of how the Holy City is changing.

World condemnation (http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/un-chief-deplores-demolition-of-east-jerusalem-hotel-1.336270) and the EU envoys' recommendations in a confidential policy report are also a sign of how the international community is changing its attitude towards Israel's continuing unilateral actions. The EU is stepping up its opposition to the rapid erosion of the Arab identity of East Jerusalem. Some in the international community may be turning against Israel as frustration with lack of progress in the peace process deepens.

Palestinians' access to Jerusalem was greatly restricted following the 1993 Oslo accords. Entry to Jerusalem by West Bank Palestinians has become literally impossible during the years of the second intifada. In their policy report prepared last month, the heads of 25 European missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah urged Brussels to treat East Jerusalem as the future capital of a Palestinian state. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/10_01_11_eu_hom_report_on_east_jerusalem.pdf)
The report also calls for an EU presence at the demolitions of Palestinian homes, and intervention when peaceful protesters face arrest. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12150792).

International leaders are warning that Israeli actions in the city are jeopardizing the two-state solution.
But some Palestinian leaders say Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's drive to assert the Jewish identity of Jerusalem could be moving the Palestinians closer to statehood.

"Netanyahu is doing us a favor. We have little difficulty now in convincing the world Israel is obstructing a peaceful settlement and to heed our call to recognize a Palestinian state. Our next move was to push the Europeans to take a stance and step up objection to Israel's unilateral actions. He is making that task easier," a senior Palestinian official said.
Netanyahu defended his government's actions in Jerusalem by reiterating it was Israel's right to build in Jerusalem.

The failure of direct and indirect Israeli-Palestinian peace talks to reach a final settlement prompted the Palestinians to opt for Plan B: Step up diplomatic and peaceful action against settlements construction, turn to the United Nations to issue a Security Council Resolution against settlements expansion, and win international recognition of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. The Palestinians, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad, are determined to have a state by September.

"President Abbas is now considering several paths of action if he fails to get a negotiated settlement by September. He will either step down and admit failure to realize his quest for a state, or place the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza, under the mandate of the United Nations. Other options are also being examined. In any case, there will be an announcement in September," an official close to Abbas said.

Fayyad is confident he is moving towards attaining his statehood goal.
"We are working hard at all levels towards achieving this goal. You might think I'm not serious when I say there will be a state, but I am," Fayyad told me during a recent visit to Ramallah.

It might seem hard for many to imagine what kind of state would be established with hundreds of checkpoints dividing the West Bank, with Jerusalem totally cut off from the rest of the Palestinian territories, with Gaza under Hamas' control, and the U.S. strongly opposed to a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state.

I remember in 1994, when I moved from Jordan to Jerusalem for work as a journalist, one could hardly see an Israeli walking the streets in East Jerusalem. There was a sense of a de facto division of the city: the East side for the Palestinians and the West for the Israelis.
The Orient House, the PLO's headquarters in Sheikh Jarrah, headed by the late Faisal Husseini, was running the affairs of the Palestinians in Jerusalem.
Today, the West side is still Israeli, and the Palestinians are struggling to maintain a presence in the East side.
The Palestinian Authority is banned in Jerusalem. Jerusalemite Palestinians feel abandoned by their leaders and fear for their future.

It is true we are witnessing a dramatic change in the nature of East Jerusalem, but we are also seeing a willingness by some European states to go beyond the usual criticism or silence.
The Palestinians say they are not expecting similar action by the U.S., at least not in the near future.

Fairuz instills hope in the lives of fans in momentous concert

BEIRUT- “Yes there’s hope”, sang Fairuz, the Lebanese icon to thousands of fans in Beirut.
The song was from her latest album released on Thursday. The crowd of more than 14,000 included celebrities who travelled from the Arab world to attend the concert, Fairuz’ first since 2006.
The audience held their breath as Fairuz entered the hall.
The legendary singer, wearing a white dress, was described as coming on stage as an “angel”. Her voice, despite her age, was still majestic. Her fans gave her a standing ovation as she appeared on stage in the Biel (Beirut International Exhibition Centre) downtown Beirut, and chanted along as she sang older songs such as al-Tahouni and Kifak inta.
In her songs, Fairuz addressed social problems such as marrying at an early age, and proved she could still appeal to all generations. She took her audience through the different stages of her musical life with the old and new songs.
The audience included fans from the younger generation, and children whose families insisted they introduce them to the most celebrated singer known in recent history.
The famous Egyptian comedian actor Adel Imam, who happened to be in Beirut for the shooting of his new film “Alzheimer”, delayed his trip back to Cairo to attend Fairuz’ concert.
“This is Fairuz, I won’t miss her concert,” Imam, who is also UNHCR’s Good Will ambassador told me.
The audience applauded, sang, and demanded more as Fairuz ended her performance the second day. She came back on stage for another song.
“I have attended her concerts before, but this was her best. This time it was different,” one fan said.
Many felt the concert gained additional significance following reports she was banned by heirs of Mansour Rahbani from singing songs composed by the Rahbani Brothers without their prior consent. The reports led to widespread protests across the Arab world.
Beirut streets were jammed. The airport witnessed an unusual traffic as fans flocked from across the Arab world to express what was viewed as their rejection to attempts to restrict or silence the voice that has become part of their lives and memories since the sixties.
The absence of her son Ziad Rahbani was noticed, yet he was very much present when the accompanying orchestra’s sang parts of his latest album ”Mniha”, each time the celebrated Fairuz went backstage for a short break.
My friends felt they had witnessed a historic concert but left wondering if Fairuz will hold another concert.

"Sergio Vieira De Mello", a story of sacrifice and inspiration

Watching Greg Baker's Oscar-nominated documentary "Sergio" about the life and death of the UN's Special Representative in Iraq Sergio Vieira De Mello brought back good and bad memories of 2003 when I was in Iraq as a journalist covering post-Saddam Hussein Iraq.
Like other journalists, I frequented the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad for press briefings. The news of the bombing of the Canal Hotel where the UN had its headquarters two weeks after I left Iraq came as a shock.
The bombing killed 22 people, including Sergio and a dear friend Rick Hooper.
I had escaped death several times in Iraq, but the bombing of the Canal Hotel marked a turning point. Instability and violence became the norm.
Baker's moving and emotional film tells the story of Sergio who, despite his opposition to the war in Iraq, accepted the job as the UN's top man there, and showed his deep belief that the UN could be a force for positive change.
UNHCR's office in Jordan chose World Humanitarian Day on August 19 to show the film. It is the day the UN recognizes all humanitarian and UN personnel who have risked their lives to promote the humanitarian cause. It marks the day Sergio was tragically killed along with 21 of his colleagues.
The film was a tribute to a charismatic peacemaker, who has left his mark everywhere he worked.
Chetin Chabuk, co-producer of the HBO documentary "Sergio" was invited to attend the film screening in Amman. Greg Baker could not attend since the documentary was nominated for the Emmy Awards and was waiting for the result.
Chabuk said in the process of researching "Sergio", "lots of lessons were taken away: you think of this man as an inspiration to better the lives of others who need it."
Imran Riza, UNHCR's representative in Jordan said before the film screening in Amman's Film House that the world in which humnanitarian workers live in today has changed. Figures of humanitarian workers killed or abducted or injured have risen five fold compared to 10 years ago.
- 278 humanitarians were victims of 139 serious security incidents in 2009, compared with 1999 when 65 humanitarians were involved in such incidents. In 2009, 205 of these victims were national staff members of humanitarian organizations, while 73 were international. In 1999, 40 victims were national staff and 25 were international.
- 102 humanitarian workers were killed in 2009 compared with 30 killed in 1999.
- 92 humanitarian workers were kidnapped in 2009 compared with 20 in 1999.
- 139 security incidents occurred in 2009, compared with 34 in 1999. Kidnappings, the most common incident, increased from 9 to 37 over this period. Attacks and assassinations rose from 7 to 32. Bombing incidents increased from 3 to 23. Ambush and road attacks increased from 8 to 20.
Seven years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the problems of this country have not been resolved.
By the end of this month, U.S. troops would withdraw to leave behind 50,000 from some 160,000. There are mixed feelings about U.S. President Barack Obama's pledge to complete withdrawal next year, leaving behind a limited military training presence.
Though the security situation in Iraq has improved in some areas, it is still risky, political deadlock hampers stability, and sectarian conflict is likely to continue.
Humanitarian workers aiding victims in disaster and conflict areas often work in remote, difficult, and dangerous places.
The Pakistani Taliban today said the presence of foreign relief workers in flood-ravaged Pakistan was “unacceptable” and hinted that militants could carry out attacks against members of aid groups.
In July, monsoon rains led to flooding in Pakistan and an estimated 1,600 people have been killed and about 17 million have been affected across the country.
UNHCR, which had previously sought $41 million for its special Pakistan operation, has upped its appeal for Pakistan's flood victims to $120 million so it can provide some 2 million people emergency shelter and assistance over the next four months.
UNHCR field workers reported that encampments were mushrooming across Sindh province as the floods spread into new areas of southern Pakistan over the past few days.
So far, UNHCR has provided more than 41,000 plastic tarpaulins, 14,500 family tents, 70,000 blankets, 40,000 sleeping mats, 14,800 kitchen sets, 26,600 jerry cans, 18,600 plastic buckets, 17,700 mosquito nets and 13.3 tons of soap amongst the flood affected people of Pakistan. In the first delivery to Sindh province , the Provincial Disaster Management Authority airlifted 1,000 UNHCR tents to Sukkar.
UNHCR staff across the world have left their families and homes to go to Pakistan to help the flood victims. They know they can make a difference.

A day with Marcel Khalife

AMCHIT, Lebanon- The iconic Lebanese artist Marcel Khalifeh sang for Palestine, and turned the wonderful poems of the legendary Mahmoud Darwish into songs that became part of the national identity of the Palestinians and Arabs.
Today, Marcel took me and family friends Jamal Saidi and his wife Samar to tour the coastal village of Amchit, north of Beirut, where the infamous singer was born, where he lives, and where his heart is.
He still speaks with pain about the time when he was expelled from Amchit for 18 years for going against the tide during the civil war in the seventies by sympathizing with the Lebanese left and the Palestinians.
Marcel recalled his childhood memories as we drove through the beautiful small village with breathtaking scenery of the coast and mountains, and its old houses. Unlike in Beirut, modernity has not replaced the historical nature of the village.
“Look at this house, its windows, the palm trees. Look at the old stones, the beauty of the nature. How I love it,” Marcel said in his soft voice.
“Stop the car here, this is my first school. He walked over to the school and showed us his class, the school playground, and pointed to an old tree that stood from the days of his childhood.
Like a child, full of life, excited and eager to share his love for the village, its multifaceted religious and cultural history that inspired his first love for music and creativity.
“My village, isn’t it beautiful. Look at the nice coast. I run along the Cornish every morning when I’m here,” he said.
“This old house is the house of my first music teacher. I used to wait four hours for him outside this house until he would wake up from sleep, and when he would call me in, he would ask me if I had waited long, I would reply that I had just arrived,” Marcel said with a smile.
“There in that house I was born…There in that church I sang as a child…There on that street I walked under the rain…There…There…There….”
The celebrated composer, singer, artist, musician, has promoted change through music. Not only did he sing patriotic songs, but through his creative mixture between the Western and Arabic art, he has made important contributions in shaping the Arab musical culture.
He said he has used music as a means to highlight the civilized image of the Arabs.
What is intriguing about Marcel is his down to earth, humble nature. For the Arab masses, he is a legendary artist who has appealed to all people of all ages. In addition to the many awards he received, Marcel was the first Arab named UNESCO artist for peace in 2005.
He has succeeded in transforming the complex poetry of Mahmoud Darwish into folkloric songs. Darwish once told me that Marcel had for years turned his poetry into songs before the two men met, but he did not mind and loved them. The two later became great friends.
Marcel spoke endlessly about Darwish in a way that reflected the bond between them, and about his personal deep loss and that of the world when Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after a heart surgery.
He also spoke sadly about the death of his mother at the age of 39, when he was only 15. His mother, he said, had recognized his musical talent at an early age and encouraged him.
One of his grandfathers was a baker, the other a fisherman and flutist.
His house in Amchit belonged to his family. He lived in it since he was seven. He had given me and my friends the tour of the village before going home having that day just arrived from Syria where he gave a concert.
“My life is in a plane and in hotels,” he said, dragging his suitcase inside his house where his wife Yolla was waiting.
Asked if he was tired of travelling, he said:
“I have a message to convey.”

UNHCR sees deepening needs among Iraqi refugees even as world interest wanes

BEIRUT, Lebanon, March 30 (UNHCR) – Seven years after the start of the Iraq war, the future of the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees remains shrouded in uncertainty. While much of the world is losing interest in their fate, UNHCR is warning of deepening needs that will take years to resolve.

Most Iraqi refugees see no immediate solution to their plight, unconvinced it is safe to return home. Although conditions in Iraq have improved over the past two years, the situation remains fragile. In recent months, the number returning has been largely offset by new departures from Iraq.

Those who remain in host countries are not allowed to integrate locally and are in a state of legal limbo. With savings used up, the conditions of Iraqi refugees are deteriorating. If the outflow resumed, host countries facing strained resources and dwindling international financial support could close their doors to Iraqi asylum seekers.

"Seven years after the start of the Iraq conflict in March 2003, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis still are still uncertain about their future and their prospects for return," said Renata Dubini, the head of UNHCR's office in Syria. The agency has registered some 300,000 Iraqi refugees who have approached UNHCR offices in the surrounding countries, while government estimates are far higher.

"Prolonged exile can have a crushing impact on a person's sense of dignity and self-worth. With any savings or resources depleted, many refugees are resorting to negative coping mechanisms in order to survive. Problems like school drop-out, child labour, domestic violence, trafficking and exploitation are on the rise, all of which are difficult to monitor and detect."

UNHCR is seeking US$510 million to fund programmes for Iraqis inside Iraq and in hosting countries this year. The Iraqi refugee population is largest in Syria, with some 220,000 registered with UNHCR. Another 47,000 have been registered with UNHCR in Jordan, while Lebanon hosts 10,000 registered refugees.

"Over the years, we have made considerable progress in terms of providing quality assistance and maintaining the protection space for Iraqis in Syria," said Dubini. "However, vulnerabilities are deepening at a time when the world is losing interest in Iraqi refugees. We count on the continued support of the international community and host governments to care for the hundreds of thousands still in need of our help."

Iraqis fleeing to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and other states are generally poor and need medical care, education, financial aid and protection. Since states hosting the largest number of Iraqi refugees such as Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon are not signatories to the 1951 Convention that defines the rights and obligations of refugees and host countries, refugees are not granted residency and risk detention, exploitation or deportation.

Because refugees cannot legally work and face recent price rises in rent, food, and fuel in host countries, UNHCR is working on reducing the impact and trying to counter homelessness, child labour, school dropouts and early marriage. The number of refugees with special needs is rising. Financial assistance remains essential for families, especially the most vulnerable.

UNHCR Syria has identified some 85,000 Iraqi refugees with special needs, including 10,549 women at risk. In Jordan, UNHCR assists more than 11,000 Iraqi refugees with specific vulnerabilities. In Lebanon, more than 1,600 Iraqis are especially vulnerable.

UNHCR is running a programme of resettlement for Iraqi refugees who are either unable to ever return home or are too vulnerable to remain in their current host countries. So far UNHCR staff have interviewed and referred for resettlement over 93,000 Iraqis, including 66,000 to the United States. The individual resettlement countries then examine the recommended cases, with more than 40,000 Iraqi refugees already starting new lives in third countries.

For the rest, they wait in the host countries, watching developments at home. Inside Iraq, UNHCR tries to monitor the relatively small number who do return and also hopes to improve conditions to allow some of the 1.7 million Iraqis displaced inside their country since 2003 to go home. UNHCR expanded staffing by 50 per cent in 2009 to 150 throughout Iraq.

Over 2,000 Iraqis are estimated to return to Iraq each month but UNHCR's assessment is that conditions for sustainable, large-scale return of Iraqi refugees in conditions of dignity and safety are not yet in place. UNHCR will help those wishing to return but is not advocating that people go home.

With Iraq at a critical stage of its political development following the national elections earlier in March, and with a planned U.S. troop withdrawal by the end of 2011, UNHCR is anxious that the international community maintain support to displaced Iraqis inside and outside the country. The dwindling media interest in Iraqi refugees is not matched by a decline in the scale of the problem.

By Wafa Amr in Beirut, Lebanon
Source: UNHCR