News: Iranian Conflict Continues; Shalit Marks Three Years

Iranian Election Dispute Continues

In the latest news out of Iran, the dispute over the presidential election results appears to be continuing, though the number of protesters on the streets has waned. However, opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, in a statement on his website, defiantly stated that

I won't refrain from securing the rights of the Iranian people... because of personal interests and the fear of threats.

However, the effectiveness of Mr. Hossein's message is beginning to be questioned, as the BBC reports that he may be effectively under house arrest. In the same statement, Mousavi went on to say

My access to people is completely restricted. Our two websites have many problems and Kalameh Sabz newspaper has been closed down and its editorial members have been arrested.

Meanwhile, protests have lessened, with Wednesday, June 24th having the least amount of protesters on the streets since the conflict began. Additionally, another opposition candidate, Mehdi Karrubi, was forced to postpone his rally that was intended to honor those who have died in the protests that was planned for today because he was not given permission by the government.

Aside from the street protests, though, there are rumors about splits within Iran's ruling elite. Former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who is seen as the power behind Mousavi's movement, has reportedly flown to Qom, the clerical capital of Iran, to rally support to depose Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mr. Rafsanjani is the head of the Assembly of Experts, which has the power to choose the Supreme Leader. Furthermore, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani, a conservative, has voiced concern over the treatment of the protesters. While all 290 MPs were invited to a victory party for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, only 105 showed up, which could indicate a possible divide within the Iranian parliament.

Finally, Ahmadinejad, who has been relatively quiet during the election aftermath, has said that American President Barack Obama should apologize immediately to Iran for interfering in its election. He also compared Obama to former President George W. Bush, while stating that he would "not back down for a second."

Three Year Anniversary of Shalit Capture

Today marks the three year anniversary of the capture of Israeli Defense Forces Sergent Gilad Shalit, who was seized by Hamas militants from Gaza in a cross-border raid. While there have been indirect talks between Hamas and Israel regarding Shalit's release, so far all efforts have failed. Israel has demanded the release of Shalit before the siege on Gaza can be lifted, while Hamas has called for Israel to let hundreds of Palestinian prisoners out of jail.

Human Rights Watch has said that Shalit's detention "may amount to torture." According to Egyptian sources, though, Shalit is in reasonable health.

Meanwhile, Shalit's father, who recently met with former American President Jimmy Carter who was on his way to Gaza, told Israeli Army Radio that

My request today, June 25, 2009, is for every person in the country, man and woman, young and old, to close their eyes for three minutes. Three minutes only, and to wait until these minutes are over, and in this time for everyone to try to think of what my son Gilad is going through.

On the Palestinian side of the issue, the Shalit capture, which was originally a joint operation between a number of groups, is now primarily controlled by Hamas, which still calls for the release of 450 prisoners.

HEADLINES

Sarkozy asks Netanyahu to freeze settlements (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

PA releases nine of a promised 40 Hamas members in West Bank (Ma'an)

Report: Israel proposes direct talks with Lebanon (Xinhua)

Israel, Palestine and America: Both States Must be Real (The Economist)

Thousands of Jews to immigrate to Israel this summer (Ynet)

Palestine and the Palestinians

Palestinians block settler takeover attempt in Jerusalem (Ma'an)

Palestinian says settlers repeatedly damaged his home (Ynet)

Haneya pessimistic over reaching a reconciliation deal (Xinhua)

Hamas Loses Its Sugar Daddy (Jewish Week)

Israel

Aharon Barak: Jews want equality, and to kick Arabs out (Ynet)

Major Israel bank sued for refusing to return funds to Holocaust survivors (Ha'aretz)

UNIFIL hands Israel proposal for withdrawal from Ghajar (Daily Star)

Israel pulling forces out of 4 West Bank cities (AP)

Israeli sources: IDF to limit West Bank raids (Ha'aretz)

The Neighbors

Judeh praises US commitment to peace efforts (Jordan Times)

Arabs vow to support Obama's Mideast peace drive (AFP)

Turkish Government and Opposition Remain Divided over Foreign Policy (The Jamestown Foundation)

US Foreign Policy

Amid Obama remarks, US lawmakers follow Iran (Al Jazeera)

PM takes heat in Paris for settlements (The Jerusalem Post)

International Relations/Law

The Barak Connection- India and Israel (Merinews)

Medvedev Tells Arabs Russia is an ‘Organic Part’ of Muslim World (Georgian Daily)

Cyprus prevents activists from sailing to Gaza (Ha'aretz)

Arts and Activism

Siege-breaking Gaza voyage delayed (Ma'an)

Israeli and Palestinian youth 'imagine' a peaceful region (The Jerusalem Post)

Misc.

Nixon administration pressured Israel on nukes (AP)

Israel Film Festival wraps successful LA run (Screen Daily)

Israel's richest woman gets messages "from above" (Reuters)

Commentary

Hishmesh: Arab-Americans must get involved (Gulfnews)

Sid Shniad: Israel's oppression of Palestinian people calls for boycott, divestment, and sanctions (Straight)

Pappe: The necessity of cultural boycott (Electronic Intifada)

Twitter 1, CNN 0 (The Economist)

Editorial: Three long years (Jerusalem Post)

Stack and Murphy:Will Iran's turmoil change the Middle East? (Christian Science Monitor)

Views expressed on this post or on linked web pages do not represent the Palestine Center, the educational program of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. All content is for educational purposes only.

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