With the daily deluge of newspaper and televised coverage of the conflict over the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza, you’d think people owuld have a pretty good handle on the issue. But for so much noise being made in the media, there’s been little in the way of explanation about what life is like for people living daily lives under a military occupation rule, and even less about the history and origins of the conflict. We’ve cobbled together a list of sources that offer pespectives, underreported news and a better understanding of the situation.

Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Primer

Hosted at the website of the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, This  primer by Phyllys Bennis answers  frequently asked questions about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This new updated edition includes an analysis of the “road map” to peace. If you wonder “Why is there violence in the Middle East?” or “Why is the current level of violence so intense?”—this primer is for you. Read it online right here.

Al Mezan Center for Human Rights

The mission of Al Mezan Center for Human Rights is to provide a secure and long-lasting foundation for the enjoyment of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). While, given the current international situation Al Mezan must confront the increasing amount of daily violations of civil and political rights, its’ long term aim is to encourage and develop economic, social, and cultural rights. In this view, it acts as a monitoring and documentation center on violation of basic rights, which constitutes an essential basis for the work of local and international organizations. The Center is also a vehicle through which to provide legal aid and advocacy and build capacity and raise awareness of the local community on such fundamental issues such as basic human rights, democracy, and international humanitarian.  Visit Al Mezan here.
If Americans Knew

Israeli and Palestinian Children Killed Since September 29, 2000: 122 Israeli children have been killed by Palestinians and 790 Palestinian children have been killed by Israelis since September 29, 2000 (as of ast Updated: October 9, 2006). If Americans Knew takes a statistical approach to offering visitors a better understanding of the conflict. Well researched and cited. Visit the site here.

For the official website for this campaign, click here.

On June 9th, 2006, the Ghalia family was severely hit in an Israeli attack, during a picnic on the Gaza beach. The incident received worldwide attention mostly due to the horrifying video footage taken minutes later of devastated Huda Ghalia (11 y.o.) next to the dead body of her father, Ali (43 y.o.).

In the attack, 7 family members were killed (Ali 43, his wife Raisa 36, their children: Haytham 8 months, Hanadi 2, Sabrin 7, Ilham 17, Alia 24) and 7 more were injured (Hamida, Amane 22, Ayham 17.5, Adham 12, Huda 10, Hadil 6, Latifa 4). The family has already been hit in the past as result of the ongoing Israeli shelling into civilian neighbourhoods of the densely populated Gaza strip. On January 4th, 2005, an Israeli shell killed 8 and injured 5 in the family’s strawberry field. 9 of the 13 were members of the family.

The family has literally lost everything: most of the working men are either dead or injured, enormous amounts of money are being spent daily on the medical treatment and on the special needs for the many wounded and handicapped, and the family agricultural land is inaccessible due to repeated bombings.

All of these are in addition to the general situation in Gaza, which include constant closure by air, sea or land, lack of electricity during most of the day, inadequate medical care and medical supplies, lack of food and more. (more…)