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  • Archives

    • On extremists, moderates, and us

    10/30/2009

    As mentioned in my previous post, I took up the invitation to participate in a panel of “progressive” Israel/Palestine bloggers/writers/activists Monday. The space for the program was offered by J Street, but the panel itself was not affiliated with them (they did not even include it in the official program of events). Both were independent of one another, an odd relationship which came characterize the session itself. I was unsure what the nature of the session was supposed to be-or for the entire conference for that matter.

    In any case, the panel included an impressive list of some 12 bloggers (academics, writers, and so on) including Phil Weiss of Mondoweiss, Helena cobban, Max Blumenthal, Brian Walt, Sydney Levy and so on.

    I arrived a few minutes late to a packed conference hallways and overflowing room, and snaked my way to the front. I have to admit, for the first 15 minutes or so, I felt oddly out of place as I tried to sort things out.

    When I was asked to introduce myself and speak a little about Gaza, I really didn’t know what to say besides how disconnected and remote I have come to feel. “So say that” suggested Richard Silverstein “because ultimately that is what a siege and total blockade intends to achieve, what occupation does”. And so I did. My father stood silently by in the back of the room. I referred to him, to both my parents, to my family, to everyone in Gaza;

    How hard it was simply to live there, and then, to leave, or return. You are always feeling like a stranger, always feeling dislocated. Now more than ever. The only thing linking me are pictures and memories. I read the news and I feel so far away.

    And then the others chattered, mainly about the role of J Street, was it bad, was it good, did it have potential, the lesser of two evils…and on and on.

    Half an hour in, I was silent, still wondering what I was doing there. Then Ray Hanania spoke via webcam, in the nauseating meaningless expressions that could be uttered by anyone from Ariel Sharon to Ghandi “we must isolate the extremists on both sides and reach out to the moderates in order ot achieve peace, and we all know that is based on the vision of two-states for two people’s… blahbity blahbity blah…”.
    “Ray” one of the moderators confessed, “you make it so easy for Jews to speak to you”.

    ok, I’d had enough. I shook my head, raised my hand and just sort of let it all out: “I’m sorry I really have to say something here. I’ve been quietly listening to what everyone has been saying for 20 minutes now- feeling confused and very much out of place, as I listen to people talking about moderates and achieving peace and …I just have to ask: What is everyone talking about? This is not real. What two states? What ‘peace’? Are we living on different planets? Has anyone seen a map of the West Bank lately? Of the settlements? Do you know what the settlements have done? what the wall looks like? Everyone is speaking about “two states”, about an independent viable palestine as if that’s real. As though it were something just within our reach. And all I can think about is Gaza. My parents. My husband, a refugee, who can’t even go back with me when I was able to go back. The West Bank. Jerusalem. This is not real anymore. I’m really not understanding what we’re doing here, and where I fit in to all of this, and what everyone is talking about.”

    The conversation was way behind. Step off the tracks and take a look around, I thought.

    “We can’t continue to speak like this, its an illusion people. I really also have to protest this dichotomous notion of there being extremists and moderates-who is the extremist here? Are Ray, and others, suggesting that President Abbas and the PA are the moderates? that they are the ones to reach out to? Let me let you in on a little secret: Most Palestinians don’t’ support Abbas. I certainly don’t consider him my president-his term expired in January. Where are all the other Palestinian voices? I am an observant Muslim; I also support a democratic one state solution; but I’m not Fateh or Hamas or anything else- I’m certainly pro-justice; do you consider me an extremist then? The Palestinian political spectrum is very diverse and pluralistic-its high time we recognized that and include these other voices in the conversation.” But of course, that would not be very convenient, would it.

    And of course, this is all to suggest a skewed definition of “moderate” on the Israeli side-”moderates” that support a sustained occupation, expansive illegal settlements, a continuation of the siege, and so on.

    Anyway I’d said my piece. There were applause and whatnot, and the conversation continued. I never did receive a response form Hanania, since based on his conversations on his radio programs, I would be considered among the “fringe”, a voice that the Palestinain leadership does not WANT to include in its conversation;

    But if Jon Stewart’s valiant conversation with Mustafa Barghouti and Anna Baltzer last night is any indication, perhaps that is getting ready to change, at least as far as the US media is concerned (ok that’s a stretch, but it was a good start!)

     

    Event: Israel/Palestine Blogger Panel, Washington DC

    10/25/2009

    If you happen to be in DC tomorrow (that’s Monday, October 26), and happen to be free for lunch…come join the discussion:
    A group of progressive IP (Israel/Palestine) bloggers, including yours truly (at least that’s the plan) will be speaking on a panel in the Grand Hyatt from 12:30-2pm, in the McPhearson Square room. There are over 12 participants, including Richard Silverstein, Max Blumenthal, and the brilliant Helena Cobban of Just World News (and new director of CNI).

    Among the questions that will be discussed:

    1. How have blogs impacted &/or changed the debate over the Israeli-Arab conflict in Israel, Palestine & the U.S.?
    2. What can we do to have a bigger impact?
    3. Iran: how can bloggers influence the debate over Iranian nukes and what can/should we do if there is a military attack?
    4. Goldstone Report, human rights & BDS

    The event space was offered by J Street, whose conference is taking place this week, but is not officially sponsored by them, according to organizer Richard Silverstein of Tikun Olam: “nothing said during the session should be construed as representing J Street’s views. We are bloggers and independent actors. We do not speak for J Street and they do not endorse our statements. They have graciously offered us a physical space during their conference. But that is where the relationship ends.”

     

    Ramadan Recipes: Meatless Baqla Stew with Chickpeas

    08/28/2009

    Purslane, also known as Baqla (Bagla in Gazan colloquial) is considered one of the most nutritious wild greens on the planet, boasting an impressive 300 to 400 mg of alpha-linolenic acid (more than any other leafy plant) per cup, according to Wikipedia. It is also an excellent source of calcium, potassium, and Vitamin A.

    purslane

    Considered an old-world, drought-resistant green, it grows in the wild in Palestine between rocky shrubs though it can also be found rooting extensively near pools of water. It is much more difficult to find in the U.S., so you will probably have to do some gathering (I once found a hearty bunch next to a tree near the Vienna/Nutley metro in Northern VA.). Most people here consider it a pesky and resilient weed and will be more than happy to have someone uproot it from their gardens. Ask around your local farmer’s market.

    Baqla is most commonly eaten raw, roughly minced and added to Fattoush, the popular Levantian Ramadan bread salad.

    Ever the naturalist, my father sought new ways to cook Baqla. So he consulted the falla7a he buys his baladi (organic) eggs, chickens, pigeons, and herbs from in the Nusseirat refugee camp Tuesday Market in Central Gaza. What follows is her orally transmitted recipe, again with some of our own modifications. Simple vegetarian recipes such as these utilizing wild green and legumes have a rich culinary history amongst the falla7een in Palestinian cuisine.

    Fresh Baqla Stew made with some Baqla I picked from a friend's garden

    Fresh Baqla Stew made with some Baqla I picked from a friend's garden

    1 medium onion, chopped
    1 bunch Purslane, washed and roughly chopped (discard tough stems only; keep soft stems)
    4 cloves garlic, ground/mashed with 1 tsp salt in mortar and pestle or mini-food processor
    2 medium tomatoes, finely diced
    1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
    3 T. fresh cilantro, minced
    Red pepper flakes to taste
    Olive Oil

    Sautee onion until tender and yellow in 2 T. olive oil.
    Add Purslane until just wilted.
    Add crushed garlic-salt mixture and stir.
    Stir in tomatoes and chickpeas and simmer for 5 minutes.
    Stir in cilantro, pinch of pepper flakes, and serve warm with Kmaj. Adjust seasonings to taste

     

    On strange encounters with the other side

    08/27/2009

    You know how sometimes, someone just hands you a blog post/content on a silver platter?

    The other day I decided to use a coupon Yousuf got from the local library and take the kiddos to a local play place called Playwise Kids. It is pricey, even with the coupon, so we decided to take full advantage of our time there and spend the afternoon there.

    I noticed a woman with two young boys there too, around our kids age. I noticed her because she was continuously casting cautious glances at me, which I tried to ignore nevertheless. Eventually we ended up in the same corner-with the kids stacking large Styrofoam bricks into a make-believe house (insert comment here about whether a toy truck demolished the make-believe house…).

    Now, me being me, I often like to shatter people’s stereotypes or presumptions or whatnot of what I might sound or look or act like right off the bat. So without thinking twice, I start a conversation with the otherwise reticent, fearful woman.

    “How old is he?” I asked of her older child, who was playing with Yousuf.

    “5 1/2″ she replied, somewhat wearily, with a grimace plastered to her face.

    Ignoring her body language, I continued “tall for his age, eh?”

    “Yes, he takes after his father”

    “Where are you from” I asked, detecting an East European accent

    She hesitated a moment, put her head to the ground and blurted out “from Israel -PLEASE DON’T KILL ME”

    Stunned, I replied without hesitation “And.. why exactly would I do that?”. I immediately pondered all the smart replies I could have made, but decided to stay composed.

    Clearly uncomfortable with the situation, she nervously asked “well, where are you from?”

    “Gaza” I said

    “Well, see, that’s why” she declared, as though this single fact clearly explained her irrational, racist outburst.

    I pretended I didn’t hear that and went on.

    “My parents just came from there you know last week. Took them 4 months of trying and 4 days across the border.”

    “Oh why is that?” she responded blankly

    “Be-cause of the siege?” I asked both dumbfounded and unclear whether she was just stupid or ignorant or both. “You do know Gaza is under illegal Israel occupation and siege?”

    “oh, still? I thought that ended?”

    “Still going strong, I’m afraid”, briefing her on the situation much to her disinterest.

    More silence.

    “You know its funny, I’ve never met a Palestinian my whole life. Not to mention one from Gaza. Funny I should have to travel half way across the world to meet one.”

    Gee, I wonder whey that is, I thought to myself.

    I then directed her to my blog. She responded with terrified little nods and finally withdrew, saying she wanted to get something for her younger son from the cafeteria and leaving her older son behind. She watched cautiously from afar, making sure I guess I wouldn’t take him captive or something.

    Looking back, I don’t think I would have said or done anything differently. There are always thing we wish you could have said-like, not all Palestinians/Muslims/Arabs bite; or, shouldn’t it be ME whose afraid of being killed given the Israeli track record of violence against Palestinians-1300 in one month!

    But it was Ramadan, and I was somewhat restrained with my blood sugar so low; I suppose I also always want to make the point that we-Palestinian/Muslims/Arabs since she was clearly lumping us all together-have no problem with Jews, only illegal occupation, house demolitions, land theft, and so on; A friend of mine in Nazareth once told me her grandmother put it to her like this: While we were serving our new Jewish neighbors tea and labneh sandwiches in 1940s, they were stealing our land.

    I have very little patience for feigned or real stupidity when it comes to what’s happening in Palestine, particularly by the occupiers. Its one thing if you really don’t know what’s going on, but Disengagement and willful blindness to a reality you create and support is quite another.

    As many of you know, I twittered about the encounter, and asked for the best replies to the woman. I’m going to mention a few here of my favorites here:

    KABOBfest: “Usually people get really scared when they see my horns and my tail. You’re lucky I dress modestly.”

    jillylovsdurham said: Tell her you’ve been hunting down local Israelis one at a time. You even brought your kids to use as human shields!

    digitalgypsy said: Act like Renfield. Claw-like hands, hump-backed limp “MMwa-a-a-a”.

    magicspin said: “Scared of me? I get that a lot. All that pesky grief & emotional turmoil are so hard to hide”…*smile*

    shamz82 said: yes…RUNNNN..

    norabf id you ask her if she was about to steal your home and bomb the playground?

    mushon said: respond to Gazaphobic Israeli women: “Kol Haolam Kulo, Gesher Tzar Meod. Vehaikar, Vehaikar – Lo Lefached Klal’ (a hassidic song (very known in Israel and the whole Jewish world) by the Rabbi from Braslew that says: “The whole wide world, is a very narrow bridge, and the most important thing, is not to fear at all”)

     

    Ramadan Recipes: Atayif

    08/24/2009

    Qatayif, or as they are pronounced in colloquial Arabic, Atayif, are a confection that make their welcome presence in the Holy month of Ramadan. Though they are not unique to Gaza, any Ramadan recipes collection would be incomplete without them.

    In most of the Middle East, the pancake dough for the Atayif can be purchased ready-made in almost any confectionery store (in fact you will be hard pressed to find someone who makes them at home). In Gaza, street vendors pop up all over the place around maghrib time (sunset), selling everything you need to make Atayif: the pancakes (already cooked), the stuffing, and if you are in a rush-they even sell them pre-fried or stuffed. They are quite the experts at mixing and pouring out the batter out of conical containers that create the perfect consistency.

    I got this recipe from one such vendor in Khanyounis several years ago, with some adjustments. True Atayif should be made with extra fine semolina flour, but this is almost impossible to find in the US (if one uses what is available, the resulting pancake will break apart once you try to stuff it).

    IMG_5087

    3 1/2 cups flour
    3 cups warm water
    1/2 cup powdered milk
    1 T. yeast
    2 T. sugar
    1/2 tsp salt
    1/2 tsp turmeric
    1/8 tsp mistka* (mastic gum), crushed in a mortar and pestle (optional)
    1/8 tsp ground mahlab* (optional)
    1 tsp. baking soda
    1/2 cup warm water
    * These items can be found at any Middle Eastern grocer

    Mix all ingredients EXCEPT baking soda and 1/2 cup warm water in a blender until smooth. You should have a medium batter, a littler thinner than pancake batter. Let rise for one hour or until doubled in volume. Stir with spoon to deflate. Mix baking soda and water, and stir into batter at this point. Batter should resemble crepe batter more than it does pancake batter at this point.

    Warm griddle (or good quality frying pan with thick base, such as a cast-iron skillet, if you don’t have a griddle) to medium heat.

    Pour about 2 T. worth of batter onto the griddle and quickly spread out evenly with base of spoon.

    Once little bubbles form and began to pop and the top of the pancake dries out (doesn’t need to dry out 100%) remove and set aside to cool on a kitchen towel.

    Try a couple of test ones first. If Atayif seem too thick, add 1-2 T. warm water and mix.

    Makes roughly 30 pancakes.

    Tips:
    * Do not put too much better or the pancake will be too think and you will have a hard time folding it when stuffing time comes
    * Spreading out the batter on the griddle helps make sure it will be thin and pliable enough to fold and stuff. But make sure it is not too thin or the pancake won’t close when you fold it.
    *Make sure they don’t cook too quickly or they will be too hard from the bottom and uncooked from the top.
    *Do NOT use cooking spray on the frying pan (if it is non-stick) or the atayif will be really hard to close

    The ideal Atayif should be pale, pliable, and about half a cm in thickness. It should NOT be heavily browned or thick.

    Stuff immediately. Traditional stuffings in Palestine are either sweetened Nabusli goat cheese or crushed walnuts. My grandfather, rest his soul, used to prefer a cooked custard stuffing (muhallabia). You can experiment with different kinds of sweet cheeses and stuffings of your own.

    Cheese stuffing

    Crumble together with a fork or your hand:
    1 cup sweet white cheese, such as Nabusli (if salted, de-salt by soakign in warm water), or a mixture of shredded mozzarella and ricotta cheeses;
    2 T. sugar
    1 T. rosewater or orange blossom water (maward or mazahir)

    Nut stuffing

    Mix together in food processor until medium-coarse:
    2 cups walnuts
    3 T. sugar
    1 tsp cinnamon
    1 T. rosewater or orange blossom water

    Mix in by hand:
    3 T. raisins, or as desired

    To stuff:
    Fold together either end of the pancake and pinch closed with thumb and forefinger. Continue to close about 1/3 of the pancake together. Spoon in about 1 tsp of the stuffing, depending on the size of the pancake, then close completely and firmly, making sure it is properly sealed. Do NOT over stuff, particularly if using cheese stuffing.

    To cook:
    *Qatayif are traditionally deep-fired, but I prefer to bake them. Feel free to fry a few if you have the stomach for it!

    Melt 2 Tablespoons butter. Add 1 T. canola oil. Brush each Atayif with the butter-oil mixture and place in a non-stick pan (or baking sheet coated with cooking spray). Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes or until well browned. Broil last 5 minutes if not browned from top.

    Serve with honey or the traditional way, by plopping each Atayif into a bowl of cold syrup (recipe follows) immediately when they come out of the oven to ensure proper absorption.

    Syrup (Qatir)

    Bring to boil then simmer for 5 minutes in saucepan:
    1 1/2 cups sugar
    1 cup water
    1 tsp. lemon juice

    Take off heat and add:

    1 tsp rosewater or orange blossom water (I like to add both).

    Allow to cool completely, or even refrigerate.

    Street vendors making Atayif in Palestine
    qatayif makingqatayif making2

     

    Ramadan Recipe #1: Palestinian kmaj/bread

    08/23/2009

    I promised (on my twitter…which if you’re not following-well, shame on you! do it now!) that i would be supplying a recipe a day in honor of Ramadan, with a focus on the unusual and oft-overlooked cuisine of Gaza. Its more likely to be every few days, and though I said I’d start with Meatless Wild Baqla Stew, today I’m just going to begin with kmaj, كماج or خبز عربي freshly baked Arabic bread. It differs from its Lebanese variant in both texture and content (Lebanese bread is paper thin and traditionally made from white flour).

    We (meaning my mother and father-who have successfully made it through Rafah Crossing and here to the U.S.-I’ll save that story for another post-, and myself who usually bake it together) like to give it an Egyptian twist (for those who haven’t had subsidized Egypt wheat bread-delic) by baking it on a generous layer of wheat bran.

    We also make it in the traditional (pre-industrialization) Palestinian method-with whole spring wheat (a softer grain of wheat that is most commonly used in Europe and the Middle East) or a mixture of whole wheat and white flours (“white bread”, when it first made its debut in Gaza, according to my father, was considered a decadent treat eaten as a dessert would. Sadly, it has come to replace the more nutritious and filling whole wheat flour as the grain of choice due its refined and sweeter taste).

    Freshly baked Kmaj we made last week

    Freshly baked Kmaj we made last week

    The true mark of success when baking kmaj is what I call the “puff factor”-when the bread puffs up, creating the trademark “pocket”. We have experimented for years with the best method to achieve this in Western ovens, and finally have come up with a fool-proof way adapted from a woman who bakes bread for my mother in Gaza. It involves first heating the dough on a griddle as one would a chapati and then placing it in the oven.

    I don’t generally use strict measurements in my cooking, particularly when it comes to making bread, but I will give it a try. Let your senses guide you if something doesn’t go according to plan!

    Measure and whisk together in a bowl either:

    5 cups whole white wheat flour or spring wheat (the softer wheat grain traditionally used in the Middle East, which you can find sold as a 5lb package by Arthur’s or in the bulk section of natural food stores, which label it “organic spring flour” or “organic bread flour”; look for the “spring wheat” in the ingredients list).

    Have a bowl of wheat bran (also found in said natural food stores bulk sections) ready handy and set aside for now.

    Add:

    1 T. yeast
    1 T. sugar
    1 T. salt
    3 T. Olive oil

    Gradually mix in, a little bit at a time and starting with just 1 cup and adding more only if necessary:

    2-3 cups warm water

    Start by mixing dough by hand, then kneading with the palm of your hand or your knuckle, turning the dough over, and kneading again. Continue kneading until the dough forms a ball (i.e. does not stick to the sides of the bowl anymore). Do not over-knead. Pat top of dough with some olive oil.

    Leave to rise in draft-free place for one hour or until doubled in volume. Punch dough down, knead gently for one minute and form into a ball; let rest for twenty minutes.

    Form palm sized balls from the dough and pinch ends; place on well-floured surface-or a surface sprinkled with a generous layer of wheat bran*- and let rest for 10-20 minutes. Roll dough balls out to about 1/2 cm thickness. Cover and let rest for at least 20 minutes and up to overnight (this is the way they traditionally do it in Palestine-they let the flattened dough at this stage to rest overnight to allow a more complex flavor to develop).

    Pre-heat conventional oven to 500 degrees or highest available setting. At the same time, preheat an electric or stove-top griddle to medium-high heat.

    Prepare baking sheets (baking stones if you have them!) by sprinkling them with bran to prevent sticking.

    Begin baking by placing rolled doughs on top of griddle. Wait a few minutes-or until small sore-like “craters” begin to form, then quickly remove half-baked breads and move to baking sheets. Quickly place in pre-heated oven and bake for a few minutes or until bread puffs up.

    Take bread out and cover with a towel or sheet to prevent the moisture from building up. Tip : nothing like warm kmaj with olive oil and zaatar!

    Bil hanna wil shiffa/With Joy and Good Health !

     

    People not Places

    08/17/2009

    A friend sent me this powerful docu-music-video by Detroit-based Hip-Hop artist Invincible (featuring Abeer and Suhell Nafar of the Palestinian group DAM) highlighting the systemic and deeply rooted nature of ethnic cleansing of Palestine.

    From their site, EMERGENCE Travel Agency: “Invincible exposes the process of historic and continued colonization of Palestine as being even deeper than land seizure and ethnic cleansing, but one that attempts to erase the indigenous language, culture, and memory of Palestinians.

    Intertwined with the music video are interviews that expose how Zionist claims to a Jewish “birthright” to Palestine have come at the expense of the Palestinian Right of Return to their indigenous land. These interviews show how the Right of Return of Palestinians is interconnected with the resistance of occupied and displaced refugee communities globally, from Turtle Island to Puerto Rico and beyond.”

     

    Head to Rafah Crossing-open the border FOR GOOD

    07/30/2009

    I’m passing this along from the International Movement to Open Rafah Crossing- they are asking anyone who is willing and able in Egypt to head to the Rafah Crossing on the days it is being opened briefly next week to demand the border be opened for good!

    The Gaza border will be opened on Monday 3, Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 August

    Since 1 month now, the Rafah crossing has been closed and nobody but VIP or some sick and wounded Palestinians has been allowed to enter or to leave Gaza.

    The last time the border has been opened, it was a so horrible mess.
    Egyptian authorities deployed their antiriot police and people had to wait hours under the sun.
    Many of them have been deny to enter, without any reason

    So, if you are in Egypt or if you have free time, please come and join us.
    This border has to be open FOR GOOD, NOW !

    Many brave Egyptians are there but we need more internationals. Please bring cameras, videos, computers, 3G keys…

    WE WILL OPEN THIS BORDER AND WE WILL LIFT THE SIEGE !

    Contacts at the border :
    Nada Kassass (0020) 0122504611 Arabic/English
    Iman Badawi (0020) 0197910753 Arabic/English

    Videos from the last opening of the border :

    http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwlLHtspXuo

    http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.youtube.com/watch?v=abxWbOUnMEg

    Pics :

    http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo_search.php?oid=9986479902&view=all

     

    Wonderland

    07/27/2009

    I talk to my parents on an almost daily basis via Skype. Ordinarily, this event would not be noteworthy. And usually, neither are our converations. But they being in Gaza, and I here in the U.S…gives things a different spin. I sometimes sit and reflect on the absurdity of it all.

    We speak normally. Of course in teh back of my mind is the fact that it is impossible for me to go there and see them, having tried and failed twice, although I like them am a resident of Gaza. And the fact that they have been unable to depart Gaza to see me.

    Our conversations almost always start with “any news about the border?”. And usually, there isn’t. If there is, its a rumor “everyone is insisting this weekend, but nothing confirmed”. And “this weekend” come and goes with the rumor falling flat. And the one time there was “real news”, when the border did open for 3 days, they were unable to get out. They have registered to leave Gaza and come visit us here for over 3 months now, to no avail.

    “Real news”- what’s real anymore when it comes to Palestine? I have always said Gaza resembles Alice’s wonderland. And now more than ever. It is led by a government elected fairly, but which no one outside of Gaza recognizes-but which manages the day to day affairs of the residents there in any case, down to daily updates on the Ministry of the Interior’s website about whether the border is open or not and when and where to get your ticket and bus numbers if you’ve registered to travel.

    Its a place who’s own resident can no longer access (like myself). Where “space” has a different meaning altogether- where air and sea and land are off limits; and so like ants, they burrow below the ground to create an alternate lifeline; an alternate reality- like Gaza altogether.

    It is not its own country nor state nor sovereign territory. It is just sort of suspended-in time, space…

    And then of course there’s the occupied West Bank, the base of the “Palestinian authority”- who’s so-called president rules in a term that’s long expired-just like the Accord its based on, but whose authority is recognized as legitimate (solely legitimate), the reverse situation of Gaza.

    Make sense? Welcome to Wonderland.

     

    The “Natural Growth” Bluff

    07/12/2009

    I suppose I should say something about  my new site-but since its still “under construction”, I’ll just dive right into something else.  here’s a great (but not particularly thorough) piece by Israel Channel 2 exposing the “natural growth bluff”-that despite promises (not that that has even meant anything) by Netanyahu to stop stop all settlement activity apart from natural growth, construction continues for no one in particular.  Link from Peace Now.

     
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