South Africa – Features

UN: Israeli buffer zone eats up 30 percent of Gaza’s arable land

Looking to increase security, Israel dropped leaflets last week warning residents to stay at least 1,000 feet from the border or risk being shot.
By Erin Cunningham | Contributor to The Christian Science Monitor
from the June 1, 2009 edition

Gaza City, Gaza – Israel’s warning came from the sky, as it often does in the Gaza Strip. But this time warplanes dropped neither bombs nor missiles on the impoverished Palestinian territory, but thousands of tiny leaflets warning Gaza’s residents to keep away from the 30-mile-long border they share with Israel.

Stay at least 300 meters (1,000 feet) from the border, the May 25 pamphlets advised Palestinians, or risk being shot by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

Once a plush scene of rolling olive, citrus, and pomegranate groves, much of the border region is now just a barren landscape, marked only by the presence of IDF tanks, military watchtowers, and the occasional pop of gunfire.

Farmers and their families have been displaced, too afraid to return to their fields, while international humanitarian organizations are unable to make an assessment of the needs and damages of the area in the aftermath of the assault.

Read More »Un Isaraeli buffer zone eats up 30 percent of Gazas arable land

Toddler dies in Gaza after Israel barred her transfer for treatment elsewhere

The Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) reported on Sunday that a 19-month toddler died at a local hospital in Gaza after the Israeli Authorities barred her family from transferring her to a hospital out of the Gaza Strip.

The infant was identified as Hadeel Jawad Al Haddad, underwent an open-heart surgery in Gaza but needed further medical attention out of the Gaza Strip as the ongoing Israeli siege emptied Gaza hospitals from the basic equipment and medical supplies.

There are hundreds of patients in Gaza who are facing death as Israel is rejecting their transfer to hospitals abroad, and is ongoing with blocking the border crossings and terminals.

The death of Hadeel brings the number of patients who died due to the Israeli siege to 204. Most of the patients who are currently in serious conditions are suffering from cancer, heart diseases, kidney failure and chronic diseases.

In a report release last week, the Palestinian Ministry of Heath in Gaza warned that hundreds of Palestinian patients could die if they don’t receive immediate medical treatment.

Earlier this month a Palestinian man identified as Hassan Issa, 59, died of cancer at a local Gaza hospital after he was barred from receiving medical treatment abroad. Another patient identified as Samiha Abu Jary, 50, died of a heart disease.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that there are more than 450 cancer patients in the Gaza Strip, and all are suffering due to the lack of medicine and equipment.

Read More »Toddler dies after Isarael barred her transfer for treatment

29 August 2008

Press Release

Relieve at Impending Return of Uganda Two

The Media Review Network (MRN) is relieved at the news of the impending return of Mufti Hussain Bhayat and Haroon Saley after the unjustified incarceration in Uganda for the pass 12 days.

The lack of charges vindicates MRN’s view that the baseless and fabricated accusation of ‘terrorism’ was probably motivated by the US-Israeli agents and their lackeys to harass Muslim Organisations from assisting and alleviating the suffering of the poor and the needy throughout the world.

The MRN expresses its profound gratitude to the South African Government, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Intelligence and the media and all those that rallied to the cause to bring these innocent victims home.

It is, however, imperative that Muslim leaders workshop with Government to circumvent these incidences from happening again. The silence of many Relief NGOs as well as the delayed response from Muslim leaders in prominent organisations is most disturbing.

It is time for the Muslim leadership to brainstorm and develop a concrete response, together with Government if as it is almost certain for Muslims to be targeted again.

Issued by:
Dr. Firoz Osman
Secretary-General
Media Review Network
082 337 6976

(Media Review Network is an advocacy group based in Tshwane (Pretoria), South Africa)

Read More »Pr relieve at impending return of uganda two

A Call To Israel: " Lift The Siege On Gaza"

The Muslim Judicial Council and Media Review Network forwards its support and well wishes to the representatives of the 42 countries, who through their concern and consciousness of the plight of the people of Gaza, gathered in Egypt for a noble attempt to March for the Freedom of Gaza, gain global support and pressure Israel into lifting the siege.

It is with pride that we have witnessed humanity standing up with strong convictions to defend an embattling nation against a brutal and powerful occupation army in order to allow another people an opportunity to live a life of freedom and dignity.  

While we witnessed representatives from various countries STANDING UP, Egypt has failed this noble cause by towing the line in favour of Israeli policy at the expense of humanity through its senseless limitation of activists attending the Freedom March into Gaza.  We urge the Egyptian government to rethink its position as supporters of evil and oppression will be judged alongside its allies.  

Historically, global resistance success was always led by a united and committed front, a position reiterated by South African’s who rejected Egypt’s limitation by expressing an “all or none” position for the attendees of the lift the siege protest march.  

Success cannot be achieved if the mission is divided, so the united message to Israel and its allies is: “Lift the siege and allow Gaza to breathe”.  

Dr. Firoz Osman
Secretary-General,
Media Review Network
Cell: 082 337 6976
E-mail: fhosman@iafrica.com

Nabeweya Malick                                                                                                                                     
Public Affairs & Media,
Muslim Judicial Council    
Cape Town
Cell: 083 408 1157
E-mail: pro@mjc.org.za                                               

Read More »Joint press release