FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
30 January 2008
In response to Supreme Court’s rejection of petition against fuel and electricity cuts:
Gisha and Adalah: “This decision sets a dangerous legal precedent that allows Israel to continue to violate the rights of Palestinians in Gaza and deprive them of basic humanitarian needs, in violation of international law.”
Today, 30 January 2008, Israel’s Supreme Court rejected a petition by ten Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations to stop Israel from cutting supplies of fuel and electricity to the Gaza Strip, as part of a governmental decision authorizing punitive measures against the population of Gaza. The petitioners had argued that cutting fuel and electricity supplies constitutes forbidden collective punishment and violates the prohibition in international law against deliberately targeting civilians. The fuel cuts, which have forced Gaza’s only power plant to reduce production of electricity, have severely disrupted the functioning of vital humanitarian services, including hospitals, water wells, and sewage pumps.
The court’s decision allows the state to proceed with its plan to cut electricity sold to Gaza directly by Israel’s Electric Company from 7 February 2008. Gaza is already experiencing a 20% electricity deficit, which is forcing rolling blackouts in hospitals and other vital humanitarian institutions. The petitioners submitted extensive documentation showing that cuts in supplies of electricity and the industrial diesel needed to produce electricity will necessarily mean longer and more frequent power outages across Gaza, from which vital humanitarian institutions will not be spared.
At the last hearing held on Sunday, 27 January 2008, utility officials from Gaza were prevented from attending the hearing, in violation of the state’s commitment to the court. The state offered oral testimony by a military official, unsubstantiated by affidavit as required, claiming that the cuts would not harm humanitarian needs.
According to Sari Bashi, Director of Gisha: “This is an unprecedented decision authorizing collective punishment in its most blatant form. The court ruling relies on unsubstantiated declarations by the military and ignores the indisputable and well-documented evidence of harm to civilians caused by the fuel and electricity cuts – with no legally valid justification.”
According to Hassan Jabareen, General Director of Adalah: “According to the Supreme Court’s decision, it is permitted to harm Palestinian civilians and create a humanitarian crisis for political reasons. This constitutes a war crime under international criminal law.”
For more information: Noga Eitan, Gisha spokeswoman: 0547-533644, Sari Bashi, Gisha Director, 054-8172103; Adalah Attorney Fatmeh El-’Ajou: 050-907-2729; Rina Rosenberg, International Media, Adalah: 052-849-8807, or 04-950-1610, ext. 118.
Background
Currently, the Gaza Strip is suffering from a 20% deficit in electricity. During the winter, the demand for electricity in the Gaza Strip is approximately 240 mega-watts or more per day, depending on the weather. Currently, Gaza is receiving 120 mega-watts sold by Israel and 17 megawatts supplied by Egypt to Rafah. Gaza’s power plant is able to produce 80 megawatts per day, but the restrictions imposed on the supply of industrial diesel sold to Gaza limits the power plant to generating just 55 megawatts. As a result, the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company (GEDCO) is unable to provide the electricity needed to operate hospitals, water pumps and schools, and so institutes rolling blackouts across main lines. Some humanitarian institutions have back-up generators, but the restrictions on the supply of diesel have disrupted the operation of the generators, too.
Israel controls Gaza’s borders and does not allow Gazans to purchase fuel except via Israeli-controlled crossings.
The petition was submitted on 28 October 2007, the day that Israel cut supplies of petrol (benzene), diesel, and industrial diesel to Gaza. Residents of Gaza purchase fuel from an Israeli company and receive it via Israeli-controlled crossings.
A prior decision of the Supreme Court temporarily prevented Israel from cutting supplies of electricity sold to Gaza by Israel’s Electric Company. Today’s court decision allows the direct electricity cuts to be implemented on 7 February 2008.
The organizations which petitioned the Supreme Court are:
Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel
Gisha - Legal Center for Freedom of Movement
HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights-Gaza
The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel
Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories
Al–Haq
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
-- Julia FitzpatrickHuman Rights Advocacy FellowAdalah: The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in IsraelP.O. Box 510Shafa'amr 20200, IsraelTel: +972-4-950-1610 ext. 117Fax: +972-4-950-3140E-mail: julia@adalah.org
www.adalah.org/eng/index.php
Rabu, 30 Januari 2008
Chicago Profiles: Big ddreams turning into big realities
Big Dreams Turning Into Big Realities
Four Chicago based businessmen doing their part to change Chicago
Chicago is a big city with big dreams and its residents are turning their dreams into reality everyday. These four Arab-American businessmen are of the top business men in the country. What do they all have in common? They are changing the world as we know it with their relentless motivation and drive.
Talat M. Othman- Mr. Talat Othman is the President of Arab-American Business & Professional Association in Chicago. The AABPA is a non-profit, cooperative, voluntary-joined organization of business and professional Arab-Americans, organized to assist its members in dealing with mutual business and professional concerns. The purpose of the Association is to promote the common interests of the Arab-American Business and Professional community. Both Mayor Daley and Governor Blagojevich serve as Honorary Chairman in this association.
Ahmed Abdelaziz- After his hard work and perseverance, Ahmed Abdelaziz is now the successful owner and CEO of Omarica Builders, Inc. After coming to the US in 1980, Ahmed worked his way in the hotel business in Chicago and Boston to the management level before establishing his presence on Wall Street in 1987. After trading for several firms in the financial markets, he decided to diversify his experience by going into real estate development. His solid success in this field led him to expand his contracting services to the public sector. With Ahmed’s his extraordinary talents as a real-estate developer Omarica not only designs and builds dream homes for his clients but has also branched out into hotel renovations, including prominent, upscale hotels across the nation.
Dr. Naser Rustom- Beginning as just a family practitioner Dr. Naser Rustom has come along way to be one of the most prominent and successful businessmen in the Chicagoland area. Dr. Rustom not only has expanded his practice into several offices across the city, but also has three full diagnostic facilities and a surgical center all to provide the top medical care to Chicagoans. However, his day does not end there; instead Dr. Rustom goes to his other, more entertaining business venture, Alhambra Palace Restaurant in which he recently spent several million dollars building. There Dr. Rustom provides an authentic cultural getaway featuring Moroccan cuisine and his hand-picked array of live entertainment including belly dancing, flamenco, salsa and jazz.
Ali Al-Arabi- As the President of Vanguards for Human Rights and Freedom Mr. Ali Al-Arabi organizes meetings to address issues of bigotry and discrimination between victims, support groups and government agencies. Al-Arabi organized the meeting with Mayor McLaughlin and Police Chief McCarthy and the mayor vowed to create several community liaisons to address Arab American concerns.
For media inquiries please contact:
Lina Khalil
Account Executive
Empower PR
O: 312.255.4017
C: 312.479.2162
Lkhalil@Empowerpr.com
Four Chicago based businessmen doing their part to change Chicago
Chicago is a big city with big dreams and its residents are turning their dreams into reality everyday. These four Arab-American businessmen are of the top business men in the country. What do they all have in common? They are changing the world as we know it with their relentless motivation and drive.
Talat M. Othman- Mr. Talat Othman is the President of Arab-American Business & Professional Association in Chicago. The AABPA is a non-profit, cooperative, voluntary-joined organization of business and professional Arab-Americans, organized to assist its members in dealing with mutual business and professional concerns. The purpose of the Association is to promote the common interests of the Arab-American Business and Professional community. Both Mayor Daley and Governor Blagojevich serve as Honorary Chairman in this association.
Ahmed Abdelaziz- After his hard work and perseverance, Ahmed Abdelaziz is now the successful owner and CEO of Omarica Builders, Inc. After coming to the US in 1980, Ahmed worked his way in the hotel business in Chicago and Boston to the management level before establishing his presence on Wall Street in 1987. After trading for several firms in the financial markets, he decided to diversify his experience by going into real estate development. His solid success in this field led him to expand his contracting services to the public sector. With Ahmed’s his extraordinary talents as a real-estate developer Omarica not only designs and builds dream homes for his clients but has also branched out into hotel renovations, including prominent, upscale hotels across the nation.
Dr. Naser Rustom- Beginning as just a family practitioner Dr. Naser Rustom has come along way to be one of the most prominent and successful businessmen in the Chicagoland area. Dr. Rustom not only has expanded his practice into several offices across the city, but also has three full diagnostic facilities and a surgical center all to provide the top medical care to Chicagoans. However, his day does not end there; instead Dr. Rustom goes to his other, more entertaining business venture, Alhambra Palace Restaurant in which he recently spent several million dollars building. There Dr. Rustom provides an authentic cultural getaway featuring Moroccan cuisine and his hand-picked array of live entertainment including belly dancing, flamenco, salsa and jazz.
Ali Al-Arabi- As the President of Vanguards for Human Rights and Freedom Mr. Ali Al-Arabi organizes meetings to address issues of bigotry and discrimination between victims, support groups and government agencies. Al-Arabi organized the meeting with Mayor McLaughlin and Police Chief McCarthy and the mayor vowed to create several community liaisons to address Arab American concerns.
For media inquiries please contact:
Lina Khalil
Account Executive
Empower PR
O: 312.255.4017
C: 312.479.2162
Lkhalil@Empowerpr.com
Selasa, 22 Januari 2008
Khoury exhibition at Arab American National Museum
ABSTRACT IMAGERY, PROFOUND THOUGHT UNITE IN KHOURY EXHIBITION AT AANM
Cranbrook Grad, CMU Teacher Spotlighted in Solo Show
Dearborn, MI (January 22, 2008) – Sari Khoury was many things – a student, an artist, a writer, a college professor, a philosopher, an immigrant, a family man. He was a pillar of the community in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and a citizen of the world who treasured his Palestinian heritage. The combination of these various identities made Khoury an eloquent communicator, who used both words and art to express himself and engage those around him.
The Arab American National Museum’s new exhibition, Fragmentation & Unity: The Art of Sari Khoury, presents 25 late-period works paired with quotations from Khoury’s prolific writings. Among the pieces on display January 31 through April 27 is the artist’s final work, a brilliant untitled triptych that has never before been displayed in public.
This exhibition also brings with it two “firsts” for the Arab American National Museum (AANM). The Museum is offering its first-ever series of free gallery talks, in this case for those who find abstract art intimidating and hard to understand (dates/times listed below). In addition, the Museum’s first-ever online-only companion exhibition – focusing on Khoury the man, his personal interests and his friendship with fellow Palestinian artist Kamal Boullata – will be offered at www.arabamericanmuseum.org.
Sari Khoury (1941-1997) left Jerusalem, Palestine at age 17 to forge a new life in the American Midwest. He earned an MFA from the prestigious Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1965 and settled in at Central Michigan University, where he taught in the Department of Art for three decades, serving as its chairman for several years. Exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in major galleries and museums, Khoury earned a glowing global reputation.
“In his art and in his words, Sari Khoury often explored what he called the ‘non-tangible allegories’ of fragmentation and unity,” says Steve Williams, manager of the AANM’s Curatorial Department. “He reflected on these contradictory themes in terms of his own life as an Arab American, and as an artist - fragmenting his life’s experiences into abstract forms and potent symbols. Abstract art – being spontaneous and intuitive – excited him as an artist and continues to excite the viewer,” he says.
Read more by and about Sari Khoury at www.khouryart.org.
An opening reception with complimentary refreshments is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, January 31. At 7:30 p.m. that same evening, the winter-spring season of the Comerica Ford Global Thursdays world music concert series kicks off with a sizzling performance by New Orleans zydeco zealots C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band.
The opening reception for the exhibition is free and open to the public; please RSVP to Fay at 313.624.0200 or fsaad@accesscommunity.org.
Tickets for the C.J. Chenier performance are $10 in advance; $8 Museum Members and students; $12 at the door. Advance tickets are available online with a credit card at www.arabamericanmuseum.org; by phone at 313.582.2266; or in person at the Museum. For music clips and more, visit www.myspace.com/aanmglobalthursdays. The Global Thursdays series was named “Best Place to Concertize in Color Year-Round” in the Metro Times 2007 Best of Detroit issue.
The Arab American National Museum documents, preserves, celebrates, and educates the public on the history, life, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. It serves as a resource to enhance knowledge and understanding about Arab Americans and their presence in this country. The Arab American National Museum is a project of ACCESS, a Dearborn, Michigan-based nonprofit human services and cultural organization. Learn more at www.arabamericanmuseum.org and www.accesscommunity.org.
The Arab American National Museum is a proud Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Read about the Affiliations program at http://affiliations.si.edu.
The Museum is located at 13624 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI, 48126. Museum hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday, Tuesday; Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for students, seniors and children 6-12; ages 5 and under, free. Call 313.582.2266 for further information.
Cranbrook Grad, CMU Teacher Spotlighted in Solo Show
Dearborn, MI (January 22, 2008) – Sari Khoury was many things – a student, an artist, a writer, a college professor, a philosopher, an immigrant, a family man. He was a pillar of the community in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and a citizen of the world who treasured his Palestinian heritage. The combination of these various identities made Khoury an eloquent communicator, who used both words and art to express himself and engage those around him.
The Arab American National Museum’s new exhibition, Fragmentation & Unity: The Art of Sari Khoury, presents 25 late-period works paired with quotations from Khoury’s prolific writings. Among the pieces on display January 31 through April 27 is the artist’s final work, a brilliant untitled triptych that has never before been displayed in public.
This exhibition also brings with it two “firsts” for the Arab American National Museum (AANM). The Museum is offering its first-ever series of free gallery talks, in this case for those who find abstract art intimidating and hard to understand (dates/times listed below). In addition, the Museum’s first-ever online-only companion exhibition – focusing on Khoury the man, his personal interests and his friendship with fellow Palestinian artist Kamal Boullata – will be offered at www.arabamericanmuseum.org.
Sari Khoury (1941-1997) left Jerusalem, Palestine at age 17 to forge a new life in the American Midwest. He earned an MFA from the prestigious Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1965 and settled in at Central Michigan University, where he taught in the Department of Art for three decades, serving as its chairman for several years. Exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in major galleries and museums, Khoury earned a glowing global reputation.
“In his art and in his words, Sari Khoury often explored what he called the ‘non-tangible allegories’ of fragmentation and unity,” says Steve Williams, manager of the AANM’s Curatorial Department. “He reflected on these contradictory themes in terms of his own life as an Arab American, and as an artist - fragmenting his life’s experiences into abstract forms and potent symbols. Abstract art – being spontaneous and intuitive – excited him as an artist and continues to excite the viewer,” he says.
Read more by and about Sari Khoury at www.khouryart.org.
An opening reception with complimentary refreshments is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, January 31. At 7:30 p.m. that same evening, the winter-spring season of the Comerica Ford Global Thursdays world music concert series kicks off with a sizzling performance by New Orleans zydeco zealots C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band.
The opening reception for the exhibition is free and open to the public; please RSVP to Fay at 313.624.0200 or fsaad@accesscommunity.org.
Tickets for the C.J. Chenier performance are $10 in advance; $8 Museum Members and students; $12 at the door. Advance tickets are available online with a credit card at www.arabamericanmuseum.org; by phone at 313.582.2266; or in person at the Museum. For music clips and more, visit www.myspace.com/aanmglobalthursdays. The Global Thursdays series was named “Best Place to Concertize in Color Year-Round” in the Metro Times 2007 Best of Detroit issue.
The Arab American National Museum documents, preserves, celebrates, and educates the public on the history, life, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. It serves as a resource to enhance knowledge and understanding about Arab Americans and their presence in this country. The Arab American National Museum is a project of ACCESS, a Dearborn, Michigan-based nonprofit human services and cultural organization. Learn more at www.arabamericanmuseum.org and www.accesscommunity.org.
The Arab American National Museum is a proud Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Read about the Affiliations program at http://affiliations.si.edu.
The Museum is located at 13624 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI, 48126. Museum hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday, Tuesday; Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for students, seniors and children 6-12; ages 5 and under, free. Call 313.582.2266 for further information.
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