UrShalim

this blog is retiring

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 16:21:00 +0000

This blog will no longer be updated (after being online since October 2003, that's pretty old ;))

Any future blogging will, from now on, be taking place at this address.

I thank you all for the time shared and spent here and best of wishes always. :)

'Ten big media lies' about Israel

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 05:52:00 +0000

Michel Collon, a Belgian journalist and author, in his book "Israel, let's talk about it," has slammed European media over decades of "lying" to people in order to support Israel.
Collon, in his book, has recounted "10 big lies" spread by Western media in order to "justify the existence and actions of Israel", which are concisely presented below:

1. The first lie is that Israel was established in reaction to the massacre of Jews during the World War II.
This notion is completely wrong. Israel is in fact a domineering project which was approved in the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, in 1897, when nationalist Jews decided to occupy Palestine.

2. The second justification for establishing and legitimizing Israel is that the Jews are returning to their forefathers' land, from where they had been driven away in 70 A.D. This is a tale. I have spoken to the famous Israeli historian Shlomo Sand and other historians and they all believe that there has been no "exodus," so "return" is meaningless. The people living in Palestine have not left their land in the ancient era.
In fact the descendents of Jews residing in Palestine are the people who are currently living in Palestine. Those who claim they want to return to their lands originate for Western and Eastern Europe and Northern Africa.
Sand says there is no Jewish nation. The Jews do not have common history, language or culture. The only common thing between them is their religion, and religion does not make a nation.

3. The third lie is that when Jewish immigrants occupied Palestine, it was an empty and uninhibited country.
However, there are documents and evidences that prove that in the 19th century the agricultural products of Palestine were exported to different countries, including France.

4. Fourth, some people say Palestinians left their country on their own free will.
This is another lie, which lots of people believed, including myself. Until Israeli historians like Benny Morris and Ilan Pappe said that Palestinians were driven away and banished from their lands by using force and terror.

Read the Rest Here...

on why lebanon is the true host of the world cup

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 07:39:00 +0000

In early April, silly flags were already flapping all around Beirut. A non-resident would think that dignitaries from the entire United Nations were about to make an appearance, adding a touch of color to our city. According to numerous sources, the flags had sprouted much earlier. As early as January, my sister made sure to tell me. I don’t think any earlier than that, my mother said. People were too busy with Christmas and New Years, and in 2009, Ashura, the Shiite holiday fell at the same time—far too much going on for anyone to concentrate. It was still not 2010, in any case. read the rest here at the New Republic...

Palestine/Gaza: The Siege

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 06:58:00 +0000

The three year old siege on the Gaza Strip and its 1.5 million inhabitants is a testament to the Israeli regime's disregard of law, decency and morality. This siege amounts to collective punishment, an action outlawed by various conventions and humanitarian laws. This is not to mention the suffering and humanitarian crisis caused by this law. This siege has been disgracefully condoned by the "international community" and justified by the "free world" as a measure that safegurads the security of the Israeli regime.

The same position was applied to the various humanitarian aid ships that were attacked and abuducted in international waters, and the aid carried by those ships confiscated. The killing of 9 Turkish activists on the the Freedom Flotilla on 1 June brought an abrupt end to international silence regarding the siege. It is unfortunate that the world needed to see the blood of those brave men to realize the brutality of the siege and of the besieger.

Nevertheless, it is our duty to finish what the brave men and women of the Freedom Flotilla and the campaigns that preceded it. It is time to brieak the siege.

neverbeforecampaign

Roger Waters - "We Shall Overcome"

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 18:47:00 +0000

Over the new year 2009-2010, an international group of 1500 men and women from 42 nations went to Egypt to join a Freedom March to Gaza. They did this to protest the current blockade of Gaza. To protest the fact that the people of Gaza live in a virtual prison. To protest the fact that a year after the terror attack by Israeli armed forces destroyed most of their homes, hospitals, schools, and other public buildings, they have no possibility to rebuild because their borders are closed. The would be Freedom Marchers wanted to peacefully draw attention to the predicament of the Palestinian population of Gaza. The Egyptian government, (funded to the tune of $2.1 billion a year, by us, the US tax payers), would not allow the marchers to approach Gaza. How lame is that? And how predictable! I live in the USA and during this time Dec 25th 2009-Jan3rd 2010 I saw no reference to Gaza or the Freedom March or the multi national protesters gathered there. Anyway I was moved, in the circumstances, to record a new version of " We shall overcome". It seems appropriate.

Roger Waters

Many thanks to G.E Smith: lead guitar and Thor Jonsson, drum programming and whatever. Thanks guys!!!

PS. 3rd June 2010

And now piracy!!!!!!!

"This Time We Went Too Far"

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:33:00 +0000

The simmering discontent with Israeli conduct reached a boiling point in December 2008 when Israel invaded Gaza. The merciless Israeli assault on a defenseless civilian population evoked widespread shock and disgust. Deep fissures opened up in the Jewish communities, especially among the younger generations. Many of Israel’s erstwhile supporters who did not vocally dissent chose to remain silent rather than defend the indefensible.

Part of the forward in Norman G. Finkelstein's new book: "This Time We Went Too Far, Truth and Consequences of the Gaza Invasion"

تجربة نساء لبنانيات حملن السلاح

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 09:44:00 +0000

تحت المجهر - السلاح في ايد ناعمة

فيلم وثائقي يحكي تجربة نساء لبنانيات حملن السلاح في الحرب الأهلية وضد إسرائيل يحكين بعضا من تجاربهن وكم أثر السلاح على أنوثتهن

السلاح في أيد ناعمة من إنتاج قناة الجزيرة

بحث وتحقيق : رياض قبيسي وجوزفين ديب

إعداد وإخراج : بلال خريس

نور زعزع بدور الشهيدة سناء محيدلي

تاريخ بث البرنامج: 12-11-2009

"I am the Resistance"

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:43:00 +0000

Whenever there is injustice, there are people fighting it with every possible means. We have seen it so many times before: the oppressed rise up, the oppressor dehumanizes them calling them such names as "terrorists", "saboteurs", "death loving" extremists... It is only normal that the oppressor will always lie to justify his actions and its crimes.

What is different in the case of Palestine, is that the Israeli regime has built an effective media and communications networks and campaigns to distort the image of the Palestinian resistance, and that a large portion of the world has believed the Israeli line and hence adopted it.

It is our duty to remember and remind the world that the Palestinian freedom fighter is a man, a woman, like any other. He loves his family. She loves her country. They seek a better future. They are willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of justice and freedom. They waited for the world to lift the blatant injustice that has befallen them since 1948. They expected the world to understand when they took up arms to lift this injustice themselves.

Now, they don't care what anyone else calls them. They do not seek anyone's permission, just like any resistance movement. They believe that their cause will be triumphant because it is a cause for justice and humanity. They are merely fulfilling their duty to make the day of justice in Palestine come sooner. So should we.

Source.

Finkelstein: "I don't respect the crocodile tears... I don't like to play... the holocaust card"

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 11:59:00 +0000

A must see clip of Norman Finkelstein responding to the use of the Holocaust as an excuse for Israel's atrocities against the Palestinians.

different path to the same content

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:55:00 +0000

testing a different address: moussabashir.com to the same content: urshalim.blogspot.com

Gaza / Palestine tribute مي نصر - يما مويل الهوا

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:52:00 +0000

يما مويل الهوا يما مويليا
ضرب الخناجر ولا حكم النذل فيا

ومشيت تحت الشتا والشتا رواني
والصيف لما أتى ولع من نيراني
بيضل عمري انفدى ندر للحرية
يما مويل

يا ليل صاح الندى يشهد على جراحي
وانسل جيش العدا من كل النواحي
والليل شاف الردى عم يتعلم بيا
يما مويل الهوا

بارودة الجبل أعلى من العالي
مفتح درب الأمل والأمل برجالي
يا شعبنا يا بطل أفديك بعينيا
يما مويل الهوا

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDQDXxb29Y0

Gaza - Palestine: montaging the massacre

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 09:23:00 +0000

"A montage documenting the massacre committed by Israel during the atrocity dubbed "Operation Cast Lead"."

Gaza Lives On - children laugh despite everything

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 06:11:00 +0000

"One year later, it is very important to remember what happened in Gaza. But it is more important to realize the aspirations of the Palestinian people in Gaza. They deserve our solidarity, respect and reverence. They deserve justice. It is the duty of every person to contribute to break the unprecedented siege and bringing the criminals behind this atrocity to justice.

On 27 December 2009, after a year and a half of total siege, the brutal war on Gaza was launched. It was carnage, a disgrace to humanity and civilization, and indictment of the free world. One year later, the siege continues, the disgrace has not been lifted, and the Palestinian people still endure, resist and live. The Zionists either don't understand that, or don't want to. Delusion is a characteristic of mass murders and racist criminals."
The Never Before Campaign for Palestine

Bethlehem Christmas cancelled: The Wall must fall

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 06:58:00 +0000

"I produced this video to go with the soundtrack to Garth Hewitt's song "They've cancelled christmas in Bethlehem (The wall must fall)..."

Age of Similitude

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:34:00 +0000

This is the age of Similitude conquering all.
هيدا وقت الشبه محتل الكلّ
Written, composed and directed by Nadim Mohsen.
Enjoy.

Israel Admits Stealing Palestinian Organs

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:39:00 +0000

"If such is what they are willing to admit, imagine how much they are concealing," Knesset member Teibi told IOL. - the rest of the article ...

Court sentences Lebanese woman for beating Filipino helper

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:33:00 +0000

Al-Akhbar reported that a Lebanese court sentenced a Lebanese women to jail and to pay a fine for beating her home helper. The abused Filipino, Johalin Malibago, was not present in the court when the sentence was pronounced. "Ethiopian Suicides" blog translated the article from which following is quoted:

On 9 December 2009, a criminal court judge (single judge) in Batroun sentenced a Lebanese woman who beat the Filipino maid who was working at her home to 15 days of prison, to a fine of fifty thousand Lebanese Pounds, and to payment to Jonalin Malibago, the Pilipino maid, of ten million and eight hundred Lebanese Pounds in compensation.

Al-Akhbar newspaper declared it “victory of the judiciary” and hailed it as an important step on the road to fighting racist behavior of some Lebanese. What gave the sentencing importance is the presence of the victim in her home country, the Philippine. The judge refused the request of the Lebanese woman to bring the victim in front of the court.

The rest of the article ...

Jewish / Not Jewish

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 13:34:00 +0000

In the photo above:
She: I'm from Austin, Tx. Israel would pay me to move to HIS LAND because I'm JEWISH.
He: I'm from Palestine. I cannot return to MY LAND because I'm NOT JEWISH.

Stop Killing Children

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:45:00 +0000

The Coalition to Stop $30 Billion to Israel launched a billboard campaign calling on the public to take action against the US military aid supplied to Israel.

Visit Stop30Billion.com

Hidden Shame of Lebanese Domestic Violence

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 07:23:00 +0000

... he would first attack the children -he would tie up and beat their son and daughter.
If she tried to stop him, he would put a knife to their throats and threaten to kill them.
On other days he would ask her and the children to chose their own instrument of torture - a thick electric cable, a hammer, a hose.
After each beating - and some of them lasted for hours - he would rape her and then force all three of them into a shower to wash off the blood.

... campaigners estimate that at least three quarters of Lebanese women experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives. "On the outside Lebanon seems like a very liberal place. Women here party, many dress as they like, they work. But if you dig deeper and if you look at the issue of marriage, women have no rights,"...

Two minarets. One in Zurich, one in Geneva.

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:55:00 +0000

"And now Switzerland, the country that once hosted the first Zionist Congress in Basel, must live with its once-upon-a-time image as a tolerant and enlightened country shattered by reactionary bigotry in a country whose Muslim population is barely 6% out of a total population of 7.5 million. Fewer than 20% of Switzerland's Muslims practice their faith. Switzerland's entire census of minarets adds up to two. Two minarets. One in Zurich, one in Geneva. Not that it would have, or should have, made a difference if there were 10. Or 100. Or 1,000. There is no difference between a minaret and a church steeple. Neither has a claim greater or lesser than the other on faith. Both can be equally imposing visually and off-putting, or comforting, to the ears: churches have their bells, which can be infernal even to well-mannered Christian ears, and minarets have their muezzin's chants which, for all their beauty, can get on one's nerves in the middle of a nappy afternoon." more...

Time Will Tell

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:57:00 +0000

Oh, ma children are cryin'.
Oh, children, weep no more!
Oh, ma sycamore tree, saw the freedom tree.
All you ... have spoke:
Oh, children, weep no more;
Weep no more: children, weep no more!

In and Out of Proportion

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:23:00 +0000

Hilariously ugly is when the pedestal is too large for the monument.
The harder they fall is when the monument is too large for the pedestal.

Young women in Fallujah are terrified of having children

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:02:00 +0000

"Young women in Fallujah in Iraq are terrified of having children because of the increasing number of babies born grotesquely deformed, with no heads, two heads, a single eye in their foreheads, scaly bodies or missing limbs. In addition, young children in Fallujah are now experiencing hideous cancers and leukaemias. These deformities are now well documented, for example in television documentaries on SKY UK on September 1 2009, and on SKY UK June 2008. Our direct contact with doctors in Fallujah report that: In September 2009, Fallujah General Hospital had 170 new born babies, 24% of whom were dead within the first seven days, a staggering 75% of the dead babies were classified as deformed."

Will the UN or the USA or the UK ever acknowledge this serious problem in Iraq specifically in Fallujah, Basra, Baghdad and Al - Najaf? Will they implement the cleaning up of toxic materials that was used by the occupying forces to "bring democracy" to the people of Iraq? Was the use of Depleted Uranium and White Phosphorus, among other deadly and toxic weapons, necessary for the Birth of the "New Middle East"? Was it worth it? Just wondering...

Migrant workers face abuse in Lebanon

noreply@blogger.com (Moussa Bashir) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:02:00 +0000

October was a deadly month for female domestic workers in Lebanon. At least six have died under mysterious circumstances, constituting a "clear pattern that cannot be ignored," Human Rights Watch researcher Nadim Houry told the Daily Star.

Ethiopian (and all other nationalities of domestic workers in Lebanon) Suicide Blog is worthy of a visit.

Video below, dated 22 August 2009, by Al-Jazeera: