The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that soldier's reports of war crimes 'rumors'. In response to damaging statements made by Israeli soldiers in wake of the Gaza war, the IDF launched an extensive week-long investigation. The final report stated that the soldier's were inaccurate in their reports and often had not witnessed firsthand the events. In dismissing the reports as hearsay, the army sought to put to sleep the notion that the IDF is anything but "the most moral army in the world."
Over the weekend, UMass Boston hosted a conference on the One-state solution for Israel/Palestine. The conference, attended by 500 people, discussed in-depth the theory and how to organize around it.It featured such notable speakers as Omar Bhargouti, Naseer Aruri and Ilan Pappe. For more information about the conference, visit their website at One state for Palestine Israel.org
From Within Palestine
Eight Palestinians wounded as Israeli troops desperse nonviolent protest in Hebron (International Middle East Media Center)
Palestinians to open new probe of Arafat's death (Agence France Presse)
Israel expels 6 Palestinian prisoners after their sentence over (Xinhua)
Protests to mark Palestinians' Land Day (Ma'an News Agency)
Israeli blockade prevents EU cash from reaching Gazans (Ma'an News Agency)
Palestinian deportee returns to Ramallah after five-year exile (Ma'an News Agency)
Hamas: Shalit condemned to "long prison sentence" (Ma'an News Agency)
Gazan women face rise in abuse (BBC News)
'No halt' to Gaza arms smuggling (BBC News)
De facto government to release 38 Fatah prisoners (Ma'an News Agency)
Fayyad to stay on as PA prime minister - for now (Haaretz)
Concert for Holocaust Survivors Is Condemned (NY Times)
Israel
Israel army punishes Gaza soldier (BBC News)
Israel's Netanyahu Pledges to Seek Middle East Peace (NY Times)
Israel denies renewal of prisoner exchange talks (Haaretz)
Prisoners' rights cut as Israel seeks soldier's release (ABC News)
Barkat may stop J'lem light rail project (Jerusalem Post)
Israeli military in anthrax row (Al Jazeera)
Israel Beiteinu can get police ministry (Jerusalem Post)
Seeking Shalit deal, Israel to strip Palestinian prisoners' rights (Ma'an News Agency)
IDF: Damning Cast Lead testimonies false, case closed (Jerusalem Post)
Violent settlers freed over 'improper' police conduct (Haaretz)
International Relations
Assad: Israel's new government is against peace (Haaretz)
Egypt official in Syria to push for Palestinian unity (Agence France Presse)
EU urges new Israeli government to accept Palestinian state (Agence France Presse)
Egypt releases pro-Palestinian blogger (Agence France Presse)
Canadian Jews seek ban for Palestinian clerics (JTA)
Arab League Summit
Sudan's al-Bashir attends Arab meet (Al Jazeera)
Arab League tells Israel: Accept Saudi initiative now or never (Haaretz)
Arab summit to take stand on Bashir indictment: Qatar (Reuters)
Arab leaders convene at Doha summit (Jerusalem Post)
Gaddafi Storms Out Of Arab Summit, Slams Saudi King For Pro-Americanism (Huffington Post)
Miscellaneous
The Office opens a new branch in Israel (Guardian)
The Samaritan's Secret (Philly.com)
US Foreign Relations
Judge Favors Lower Bond in Case Against Palestinians (NY Times)
US judge orders Iran to pay $25M for Hamas killing (Associated Press)
Commentary
GEORGE S. HISHMEH: The Ball Remains in Obama's Court (Middle East Times)
Adam Gonn: Troubled Palestinian Health System Heads For Overhaul (Daily Gant)
Gershom Gorenberg: The Missing Mahatma (The Weekly Standard)
One State for Palestine Conference - 'Who are the realists and who are the dreamers?' (Mondoweiss)
Robert Fisk’s World: A brave man who stood alone. If only the world had listened to him (Independent)
Yoav Stern (Haaretz)
Olmert's toxic legacy (Haaretz)
Adam Makary: 'The concept of unity is obsolete' (Al Jazeera)
March 27: Umm el-Fahm...(Jerusalem Post)
