Latest news with #Wadee
Scoop
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Fragmenting A Nation: Israel's Enduring Pursuit Of Palestinian Disunity
Israel is aggressively implementing plans to shape Palestine's future and the broader region, sculpting its vision for the 'day after' its genocide in Gaza. The latest, bizarre iteration of this strategy proposes fragmenting the occupied West Bank into so-called 'emirates,' starting with the 'emirate of Hebron.' This unexpected twist in Israel's protracted search for alternative Palestinian leadership first surfaced in the staunchly pro-Israeli US newspaper, the Wall Street Journal. It then quickly dominated all Israeli media. The report details a letter from a person identified by the WSJ as "the leader of Hebron's most influential clan." Addressed to Nir Barakat, Jerusalem's former Israeli mayor, the letter from Sheikh Wadee' al-Jaabari appeals for "cooperation with Israel" in the name of "co-existence." This "co-existence," according to the "clan leader", would materialize in the "Emirate of Hebron." This "emirate" would "recognize the State of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people," in exchange for reciprocal recognition of the "Emirate of Hebron as the Representative of the Arab residents in the Hebron District." The story may seem perplexing. This is because Palestinian discourse, regardless of geography or political affiliation, has never entertained such an absurd concept as united West Bank 'emirates.' Another element of absurdity is that Palestinian national identity and pride in their people's unwavering resilience, especially in Gaza, are at an unprecedented apex. To float such clan-based alternatives to legitimate Palestinian leadership seems ill-conceived and is destined to fail. Israel's desperation is palpable. In Gaza, it cannot defeat Hamas and other Palestinian factions who have resisted the Israeli takeover of the Strip for 21 months. All attempts to engineer an alternative Palestinian leadership there have utterly collapsed. This failure has compelled Israel to arm and fund a criminal gang that operated before October 7, 2023, in Gaza. This gang functions under the command of Yasser Abu Shabab. The gang has been implicated in a litany of violent activities. These include hijacking humanitarian aid to perpetuate famine in Gaza and orchestrating violence associated with aid distribution, among other egregious crimes. Like the clan leader of Hebron, the Abu Shabab criminal gang possesses no legitimacy and no public support among Palestinians. But why would Israel resort to such disreputable figures when the Palestinian Authority (PA), already engaged in "security coordination" with Israel in the West Bank, is ostensibly willing to comply? The answer lies in the current Israeli extremist government's adamant refusal to acknowledge Palestinians as a nation. Thus, even a collaborating Palestinian nationalist entity would be deemed problematic from an Israeli perspective. While Benjamin Netanyahu's government is not the first Israeli leadership to explore clan-based alternatives among Palestinians, the Israeli prime minister and his extremist allies are exceptionally determined to dismantle any Palestinian claim to nationhood. This was explicitly stated by extremist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. He famously declared in Paris, in March 2023, that a Palestinian nation is an "invention." Thus, despite the PA's willingness to cooperate with Israel in controlling Gaza, Israel remains apprehensive. Empowering the PA as a nationalist model fundamentally contravenes Israel's overarching objectives of denying the Palestinian people their very claim to nationhood and, consequently, statehood and sovereignty. Though Israel has consistently failed to establish and sustain its own alternative Palestinian leadership, its repeated efforts have invariably proven disruptive and violent. Prior to the Nakba of 1948, the Zionist movement, alongside British authorities colonizing Palestine, heavily invested in undermining the Arab Higher Committee, anationalist body comprising several political parties. They achieved this by empowering collaborating clans, hoping to dilute the Palestinian nationalist movement. When Israel occupied the remainder of historic Palestine in 1967, it reverted to the same divide-and-conquer tactics. For instance, it established a Palestinian police force directly commanded by Israeli military administrations, in addition to creating an underground network of collaborators. Following the overwhelming victory of nationalist candidates in the 1976 elections in occupied Palestine, Israel responded by cracking down on PLO-affiliated politicians, arresting, deporting and assassinating some. Two years later, in 1978, it launched its 'Village Leagues' project. It hand-picked compliant traditional figures, designating them as the legitimate representatives of Palestinians. These individuals, armed, protected and financed by the Israeli occupation army, were positioned to represent their respective clans in Hebron, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Gaza and elsewhere. Palestinians immediately denounced them as collaborators. They were widely boycotted and socially ostracized. Eventually, it became evident that Israel had no alternative but to engage directly with the PLO. This culminated in the Oslo Accords in 1993 and the subsequent formation of the PA. The fundamental problem, however, persisted: the PA's insistence on a Palestinian state remains anathema to an Israel that has shifted dramatically to the right. This explains Netanyahu's government's unwavering insistence that the PA has no role in Gaza in any 'day after' scenario. While the PA could serve Israel's interest in containing the rebellious Strip, such a triumph would inevitably recenter the discussion of a Palestinian state—a concept repugnant to most Israelis. There is no doubt that neither the Abu Shabab gang nor the Hebron emirate will govern Palestinians, either in Gaza or the West Bank. Israel's insistence on fabricating these alternatives, however, underscores its historic determination to deny Palestinians any sense of nationhood. Israel's persistent fantasies of control invariably fail. Despite their profound wounds, Palestinians are more unified than ever, their collective identity and nationhood hardened by relentless resistance and countless sacrifices. - Dr. Ramzy Baroud is a journalist, author and the Editor of The Palestine Chronicle. He is the author of six books. His latest book, co-edited with Ilan Pappé, is ' Our Vision for Liberation: Engaged Palestinian Leaders and Intellectuals Speak Out'. His other books include 'My Father was a Freedom Fighter' and 'The Last Earth'. Baroud is a Non-resident Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA). His website is
Ammon
4 days ago
- Politics
- Ammon
Fragmenting a nation: Israel's enduring pursuit of Palestinian disunity
Israel is aggressively implementing plans to shape Palestine's future and the broader region, sculpting its vision for the 'day after' its genocide in Gaza. The latest, bizarre iteration of this strategy proposes fragmenting the occupied West Bank into so-called 'emirates,' starting with the 'emirate of Hebron.' This unexpected twist in Israel's protracted search for alternative Palestinian leadership first surfaced in the staunchly pro-Israeli US newspaper, the Wall Street Journal. It then quickly dominated all Israeli media. The report details a letter from a person identified by the WSJ as "the leader of Hebron's most influential clan." Addressed to Nir Barakat, Jerusalem's former Israeli mayor, the letter from Sheikh Wadee' al-Jaabari appeals for "cooperation with Israel" in the name of "co-existence." This "co-existence," according to the "clan leader", would materialize in the "Emirate of Hebron." This "emirate" would "recognize the State of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people," in exchange for reciprocal recognition of the "Emirate of Hebron as the Representative of the Arab residents in the Hebron District." The story may seem perplexing. This is because Palestinian discourse, regardless of geography or political affiliation, has never entertained such an absurd concept as united West Bank 'emirates.' Another element of absurdity is that Palestinian national identity and pride in their people's unwavering resilience, especially in Gaza, are at an unprecedented apex. To float such clan-based alternatives to legitimate Palestinian leadership seems ill-conceived and is destined to fail. Israel's desperation is palpable. In Gaza, it cannot defeat Hamas and other Palestinian factions who have resisted the Israeli takeover of the Strip for 21 months. All attempts to engineer an alternative Palestinian leadership there have utterly collapsed. This failure has compelled Israel to arm and fund a criminal gang that operated before October 7, 2023, in Gaza. This gang functions under the command of Yasser Abu Shabab. The gang has been implicated in a litany of violent activities. These include hijacking humanitarian aid to perpetuate famine in Gaza and orchestrating violence associated with aid distribution, among other egregious crimes. Like the clan leader of Hebron, the Abu Shabab criminal gang possesses no legitimacy and no public support among Palestinians. But why would Israel resort to such disreputable figures when the Palestinian Authority (PA), already engaged in "security coordination" with Israel in the West Bank, is ostensibly willing to comply? The answer lies in the current Israeli extremist government's adamant refusal to acknowledge Palestinians as a nation. Thus, even a collaborating Palestinian nationalist entity would be deemed problematic from an Israeli perspective. While Benjamin Netanyahu's government is not the first Israeli leadership to explore clan-based alternatives among Palestinians, the Israeli prime minister and his extremist allies are exceptionally determined to dismantle any Palestinian claim to nationhood. This was explicitly stated by extremist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. He famously declared in Paris, in March 2023, that a Palestinian nation is an "invention." Thus, despite the PA's willingness to cooperate with Israel in controlling Gaza, Israel remains apprehensive. Empowering the PA as a nationalist model fundamentally contravenes Israel's overarching objectives of denying the Palestinian people their very claim to nationhood and, consequently, statehood and sovereignty. Though Israel has consistently failed to establish and sustain its own alternative Palestinian leadership, its repeated efforts have invariably proven disruptive and violent. Prior to the Nakba of 1948, the Zionist movement, alongside British authorities colonising Palestine, heavily invested in undermining the Arab Higher Committee, a nationalist body comprising several political parties. They achieved this by empowering collaborating clans, hoping to dilute the Palestinian nationalist movement. When Israel occupied the remainder of historic Palestine in 1967, it reverted to the same divide-and-conquer tactics. For instance, it established a Palestinian police force directly commanded by Israeli military administrations, in addition to creating an underground network of collaborators. Following the overwhelming victory of nationalist candidates in the 1976 elections in occupied Palestine, Israel responded by cracking down on PLO-affiliated politicians, arresting, deporting, and assassinating some. Two years later, in 1978, it launched its 'Village Leagues' project. It hand-picked compliant traditional figures, designating them as the legitimate representatives of Palestinians. These individuals, armed, protected and financed by the Israeli occupation army, were positioned to represent their respective clans in Hebron, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Gaza and elsewhere. Palestinians immediately denounced them as collaborators. They were widely boycotted and socially ostracized. Eventually, it became evident that Israel had no alternative but to engage directly with the PLO. This culminated in the Oslo Accords in 1993 and the subsequent formation of the PA. The fundamental problem, however, persisted: the PA's insistence on a Palestinian state remains anathema to an Israel that has shifted dramatically to the right. This explains the Netanyahu's government's unwavering insistence that the PA has no role in Gaza in any 'day after' scenario. While the PA could serve Israel's interest in containing the rebellious Strip, such a triumph would inevitably recenter the discussion of a Palestinian state—a concept repugnant to most Israelis. There is no doubt that neither the Abu Shabab gang nor the Hebron emirate will govern Palestinians, either in Gaza or the West Bank. Israel's insistence on fabricating these alternatives, however, underscores its historic determination to deny Palestinians any sense of nationhood. Israel's persistent fantasies of control invariably fail. Despite their profound wounds, Palestinians are more unified than ever, their collective identity and nationhood hardened by relentless resistance and countless sacrifices. Ramzy Baroud is a journalist, author and the Editor of The Palestine Chronicle. He is the author of six books. His latest book, co-edited with Ilan Pappé, is 'Our Vision for Liberation: Engaged Palestinian Leaders and Intellectuals Speak Out'. His other books include 'My Father was a Freedom Fighter' and 'The Last Earth'. Baroud is a Non-resident Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA)
Chicago Tribune
28-06-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Monument unveiled in Plainfield for slain boy whose death ‘touched many hearts and opened the eyes of the community'
Before the unveiling of a monument honoring the life of Wadee Alfayoumi, a 6-year-old Plainfield Township boy who was brutally murdered for his Palestinian and Muslim heritage, his father stepped up to the podium. His heart heavy, Wadee's father, Odai Alfayoumi, had not intended to speak at the monument's dedication ceremony Saturday, but was moved to do so after seeing the large gathering at the Van Horn Woods playground, said Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. 'I have run out of words of thanks,' Alfayoumi said in Arabic as Rehab translated. 'You guys seem like you will not forget my son, and for that I am eternally grateful to you. 'When I came to this country, I was alone with little money, and then we were two,' Alfayoumi said. 'I had a young, beautiful son who was everything to me. And then he was taken from me, and I was one again. But now I feel like we are so many, and you are all my family. You are all my extended family.' Alfayoumi thanked the crowd for attending the ceremony and urged everyone to stay strong against hate. Wadee was killed at his home on Oct. 14, 2023 in what Will County prosecutors described as a hate-fueled crime. Joseph Czuba, who rented space in his home to Wadee and his mother, Hanan Shaheen, attacked the two with a knife, stabbing Wadee 26 times. Czuba was sentenced last month to 53 years in prison for Wadee's murder, the attempted murder of Shaheen, aggravated battery and committing a hate crime. Plainfield man sentenced to 53 years in prison for hate crime in killing of 6-year-old Palestinian American boyThe monument, a black silhouette of Wadee making a heart with his hand, is located at a Plainfield park where Wadee would often attend. The silhouette is based on a picture of Wadee wearing a birthday hat that was taken shortly before his death. 'Wadee used to play regularly at this very park, and our solace is he is now playing at a park far more perfect in heaven with the Lord above,' Rehab said. The base of the monument in part reads, 'Hate has no home in Plainfield. Rest in peace, our angel. We will never forget.' 'His life, though short, touched many hearts and opened the eyes of the community to an urgent need for compassion, unity and justice,' the artist Syed Rahman said. 'This art was created to preserve Wadee's spirit.' It's simple, but powerful, Rahman said. The heart symbolizes the love Wadee gave, the love he deserved and the love the community must carry forward in his name, he said. 'I never want to make another monument for a child again,' he said. 'May this place be a source of healing. May it inspire courage, hope and unerring love for Wadee and every other child.' Cub Scouts Pack 99 of the Midwest Islamic Scouting Council, which serves the western suburbs, raised $10,000 for the monument. There were a long line of donors wanting to contribute, and the funds were raised quickly, said Mir Y. Ali, a committee chair with the pack. 'As soon as we put the message out for donations, it was already done,' he said. Mohammed Faheem, president and founder of American Muslims Assisting Neighbors, said the group asked the Plainfield Park District if it would be interested in renaming the sensory playground on the east side of Van Horn Woods in remembrance of Wadee. 'It was unanimous,' Faheem said. Wadee's death brought the community together, he said. Organizers anticipated about 300 people to attend a vigil shortly after Wadee died, but had 3,000 people show, Faheem said. The Plainfield Community Alliance formed and initiated kindness contests and workshops to prevent bullying. Wadee became known as the 'international face for peace,' his teacher Trisha Mathias said. 'Hanan always referred to him as her 'sweet, sweet boy' whenever we talked,' said Mathias, who teaches early childhood at Bonnie McBeth Learning Center. 'That sums up Wadee. … My student made a difference in my life, and I know he has made a difference in the lives of others as well.' Mathias, who taught Wadee for two years, recalled Saturday the boy's carefree attitude and his love of planets, bubbles, goldfish crackers and a red basketball. He wore blue snow boots to school no matter the weather and smiled at people because he loved to make others happy. 'There was something about the twinkle in his eye and perch in his lips … that melted your heart,' Mathias said. Still, much more needs to be done to combat growing Islamaphobia against Palestinians and Muslims, some speakers noted. Soha Khatib, an activist with the Palestinian Youth Movement, who grew up in Bolingbrook, said 50,000 Palestinian children have died since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023. These are children who, like Wadee, enjoyed basketball and soccer and were simply trying to find food to eat and shelter in schools, tents and hospitals, Khatib said. Too often, Palestinians are dehumanized, she said, criticizing government leaders and media outlets that allow the hate to fester. 'Wadee's murder reminded me that Palestinian people are denied innocence in this world,' Khatib said. 'We are denied adolescence. We are adultified in a world that calls us terrorists and reduces our deaths to numbers before we can understand why. 'Whether in America or in Palestine, all children have a right to live,' she said. Fran Leeman, pastor of LifeSpring Church, and Jane Ramsey, the former executive director of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, condemned hatred and those who demonize others based on their race, religion, ethnicity and national origin. 'In this time of so much division in America and the world, I can tell you the people of my faith community … have hearts that are wide open to your community,' Leeman said. 'We long to walk with you in friendship and peace and joy and mutual understanding.' Leeman said as Wadee's memory was honored, it was a wake-up call that hatred and violence are not the way. 'Maybe moments like this are a time … for all of us to consider that if we will walk in goodness, in friendship and love, we just might make the world a more joyful place for each other, and we might make the world a better place for all our children,' he said.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Alleged Hamas supporter jailed for illegal entry
An alleged Hamas supporter who reportedly made antisemitic comments has been jailed for nine months for attempting to enter the UK illegally on a small boat. Abu Wadee, 33, also known as Mosab Abdulkarim Al-Gassas, pleaded guilty on Monday at Canterbury Crown Court to trying to enter the country on 6 March without leave or valid entry clearance. He was arrested by immigration enforcement officers after arriving in Kent, having paid smugglers 1,500 euros (£1,300) and was placed in a Manchester hotel. Judge Sarah Counsell said there is "legitimate public concern about breaches of border control", which are of "significant profit to organised criminals". Wadee had livestreamed his arrival on an "overcrowded and rigid inflatable boat", the court heard and he was told there was a "risk of death or injury to you and others". The court heard he had made asylum claims in Greece, Germany and Belgium, had no familial or financial ties to the UK and had stayed between Calais and Dunkirk in France for about seven days before making the crossing. He livestreamed his dinghy being approached by a Border Force vessel on TikTok, with the court being shown a 20-second clip of the livestream. Wadee's videos attract up to 2.5 million views, The Mail on Sunday has claimed, and he is alleged to have charted his journey from Gaza on the social media channel. His arrival in the UK made national headlines after it was reported that Wadee, from Khan Yunis in Gaza, had allegedly posted on social media in support of Hamas and calling for the death of Jews. He posted a video on his Facebook page last September in which he is filmed calling for Allah to "punish (Jews) completely", it was reported. In another picture posted on Facebook in March 2021, it is claimed he stared into the camera while smoking a cigarette and brandishing an assault rifle with a telescopic sight. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Palestinian migrant who made antisemitic posts charged HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Hamas supporter' who livestreamed arrival into UK before being placed in Manchester hotel jailed
A Palestinian who livestreamed his arrival into the UK on a dinghy before being placed in a Greater Manchester hotel has been jailed. Abu Wadee, an alleged Palestinian gunman who reportedly called for the slaughter of Jews, showed his efforts to get into the UK illegally on TikTok. The 33-year-old, who is also known as Mosab Abdulkarim Al-Gassas, was arrested by immigration enforcement officers after arriving on a small boat in Kent. READ MORE: Fatal collision was 'tragic accident, not criminal act', jury told as they retire in death by careless driving trial READ MORE: Convicted murderer stabbed great uncle to death in 'planned, brutal' attack Canterbury Crown Court heard that Wadee paid smugglers 1,500 euros (£1,300) to cross the Channel from France to England. He livestreamed his dinghy being approached by a Border Force vessel on TikTok. After his arrival in the UK, Wadee was placed in a hotel in the Manchester area. The defendant left Palestine in 2022 before making asylum claims in Greece, Germany and Belgium. The court heard he had no familial or financial ties to the UK, and he had stayed between Calais and Dunkirk in France for a week before making the crossing. Wadee pleaded guilty to trying to get into the country on March 6 without leave or valid entry clearance in Canterbury Crown Court today (May 19). He has been jailed for nine months. He had livestreamed his arrival on an 'overcrowded and rigid inflatable boat', the court heard. Judge Sarah Counsell, sentencing, said there is 'legitimate public concern about breaches of border control' over illegal boat crossings, which are of 'significant profit to organised criminals'. She told Wadee that there was a 'risk of death or injury to you and others'. The court was shown a 20-second clip of the livestream on Monday, but it is not known how many viewed it at the time. Wadee has a large following on social media, where his TikTok videos attract up to 2.5 million views, The Mail on Sunday claimed. He is alleged to have charted his journey from Gaza on the social media channel. His arrival in the UK made national headlines after it was reported that Wadee, a Palestinian from the city of Khan Yunis in Gaza, had posted on social media support for terror group Hamas, and hate-speech calling for the death of Jews. He posted a video on his Facebook page last September in which he is filmed calling for Allah to 'punish (Jews) completely', it was reported. In another picture posted on Facebook in March 2021, it is claimed Wadee stared into the camera while smoking a cigarette and brandishing an assault rifle with a telescopic sight.
