„Palestinian Perspectives on the Reconstruction of Gaza“ is a joint project carried out by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. The papers published within the framework of this project focus on Palestinian needs and priorities with regard to a range of topics linked to early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza after the 2023/2024 war.
In this context, they do not regard the Gaza Strip as a separate entity, but as part of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967. They also hold that all approaches, be they short or long term, should be compatible with the principle of Palestinian self-determination. The objective is to highlight key insights from Palestinian experiences and expertise and introduce them into the international debate. Papers cover aspects such as security arrangements, governance, the role of women and urban planning for recovery and reconstruction. They reflect the author’s views only.
Editorial team: Usama Antar, Friederike Stolleis and Konstantin Witschel (FES), Muriel Asseburg (SWP), Omar Shaban (PalThink).
Zwischen den Jahren 2000 und 2007 wurden zehn Menschen vom sogenannten ‚Nationalsozialistischen Untergrund (NSU)‘ aus rassistischen und rechtsextremistischen Gründen ermordet.
Für die Aufarbeitung und Erinnerung an diese Verbrechen und deren Opfer gilt das Dokumentationszentrum zum NSU-Komplex in Chemnitz als Pilotprojekt für das vom Bund geplante Dokumentationszentrum zu den Verbrechen des NSU. Die Vorbereitungsphase des Pilotvorhabens wird Ende August erfolgreich abgeschlossen.
Das Projekt, das von der Initiative Offene Gesellschaft e.V., dem RAA Sachsen e.V. und dem ASA-FF e.V. umgesetzt wird, startet am 1. September 2024 offiziell in die Realisierungsphase. Das Vorhaben wird im Rahmen des europäischen Kulturhauptstadtjahres 2025 in Chemnitz umgesetzt. Der Bund und der Freistaat Sachsen unterstützen das Projekt mit insgesamt vier Millionen Euro.
Kulturstaatsministerin Claudia Roth: „Das Chemnitzer Pilot-Dokumentationszentrum ist ein wichtiger Schritt zur Aufarbeitung des NSU-Komplexes und zur Stärkung unserer Erinnerungskultur. Es bietet Raum für Bildung, Forschung und Reflexion und trägt dazu bei, die Geschichten der Opfer und der Betroffenen dieser rassistischen und rechtsextremistischen Mord- und Terrorserie sichtbar zu machen und angemessen zu erinnern. Es ist eine sehr gute Nachricht, daß dieses wegweisende Projekt jetzt in die Realisierungsphase tritt.”
Katja Meier, Staatsministerin der Justiz und für Demokratie, Europa und Gleichstellung des Freistaates Sachsen: „Ziel ist es, einen für alle offenen Lern- und Begegnungsort zu schaffen, der die Stadtgesellschaft in Chemnitz stärkt. Wir sind davon überzeugt, daß hier ein weiterer Leuchtturm der politischen Bildung in Ostdeutschland entstehen kann. Ich freue mich, daß dieses wichtige Vorhaben nun umgesetzt wird und danke den vielen zivilgesellschaftlichen Organisationen, die sich seit Jahren dafür einsetzen.”
Das Dokumentationszentrum wird als interaktives Zentrum konzipiert, das sich der politischen Bildung widmet, Wissen bewahrt und die Forschung fördert. Als Lernort wird es ein vielfältiges Programm anbieten, das unterschiedliche Zielgruppen anspricht – von lokalen sowie bundesweiten Netzwerken und der Zivilgesellschaft bis hin zu internationalen Besucherinnen und Besuchern der Kulturhauptstadt Europas 2025.
Ein besonderer Fokus liegt auf der Zusammenarbeit mit Angehörigen und Betroffenen, um sie aktiv in den Prozess der Entwicklung des Pilotvorhabens einzubeziehen. Die langfristige Bedeutung des Zentrums wird durch die angestrebte Einbindung in das bundesweite Verbundsystem unterstrichen.
The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem have issued a statement, released on 26 August 2024
The statement says:
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9
As we rapidly approach the twelfth month of the present devastating war, We, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, feel compelled to once again express our grave concerns over its dire direction. For despite repeated calls for the de-escalation of violence from ourselves and the international community, the situation in our beloved Holy Land has only continued to deteriorate.
Millions of refugees remain displaced, their homes inaccessible, destroyed, or beyond repair. Hundreds of innocents are weekly killed or severely wounded by indiscriminate attacks. Countless others continue to endure hunger, thirst, and infectious disease. Among these are those languishing in captivity on all sides, who additionally face the risk of ill-treatment from their captors. Still others, far from the battlefields, have suffered unchecked attacks against their villages, pastures, and farmlands.
Throughout this all, ceasefire negotiations have dragged on interminably, with the leaders of the warring parties seemingly more concerned with political considerations than bringing an end to the pursuit of death and destruction. These repeated delays, coupled with other provocative acts, have only served to heighten tensions to the point where we stand at the precipice of a full-blown regional war.
In view of these alarming developments, We, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, once again implore the leaders of the warring parties to heed our calls and those of the international community (UNSC Resolution 2735) to reach a rapid agreement for a ceasefire resulting in the end of the war, the release of all captives, the return of the displaced, the treatment of the sick and wounded, the relief of those who hunger and thirst, and the rebuilding of all public and private civilian structures that have been destroyed.
Just as importantly, we call upon the leaders of these peoples, in concert with the international community, to take up without delay diplomatic discussions addressing longstanding grievances between them, leading to concrete steps that promote a just and lasting peace in our region through the adoption of an internationally legitimate two-state solution.
While issuing these calls in the best interests of all who inhabit the region, we express our special concern for those Christian communities under our pastoral charge. These include those taking refuge in Gaza at St. Porphyrios Orthodox Church and Holy Family Catholic Church, as well as the courageous staff of al-Ahli Anglican Hospital and the patients under their care. We pledge to them our continued prayers and support both now and at the conclusion of the war, when we will labor together to rebuild and strengthen the Christian presence in Gaza, as well as throughout the Holy Land.
Finally, we appeal to Christians and all those of goodwill around the world to promote a vision of life and peace throughout our war-torn region, recalling Christ’s words, quoted above: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). During this time of extreme crisis, let us all recommit ourselves towards working and praying together in the hope that, by the grace of the Almighty, we might begin to realize this sacred vision of peace among all God’s children.
— The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem
At a time when mourning seems inadequate and celebration seems impossible, let’s connect with people of conscience across the world.
Please join as we mourn the death and celebrate the life of Marc H. Ellis on his birthday.
Hosted by Tzedek Chicago, Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in E. Jerusalem, at Union Theological Seminary NYC, and other sites TBD, our service will be officiated by Rabbi Brant Rosen and will include the participation of Reverend Naim Ateek, Reverend Omar Haramy, Rabbi Lucia Pizarro, Pastor Claudio Carvalhaes and more.
Register for the Zoom link: bit.ly/ellismemorial
May Marc rest in power – and may his memory be for a revolution
CARE, IPPNW, medico international, NRC Flüchtlingshilfe, Oxfam, pax christi und der Weltfriedensdienst haben auf der Plattform www.openpetition.de die Erklärung Für einen gerechten Frieden in Gaza. Waffenexporte stoppen & Hilfsblockade beenden! veröffentlicht:
Zoom Meeting, Sunday, August 18, 2024 -Time: 7:00 PM Jerusalem time, 5:00 PM London time, 18:00 Uhr Berlin
The Israeli-Palestinian Confederation Committee: We are conducting, collaborative, interactive and thought-provoking Zoom events to explore peace between Israelis Palestinians.
„Since the beginning of Israel’s attacks on Gaza over 10 months ago to the present, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have unleashed violence against unarmed Palestinians in Gaza. Below is a description of and link to a Zoom event on Sunday, August 18, 2024 featuring a former IDF soldier who is now a professor at City College of New York, teaching Yiddish and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We encourage you to register. In Solidarity | Beyt Tikkun Israel/Palestine committee„
Elik Elhanan served in a special forces unit in the Israel Defense Forces from 1995 to 1998, operating extensively in south Lebanon and the West Bank. In 1997, his 14-year-old sister was killed by a suicide bomber in Jerusalem. Elik is also a military refusenik. He joined Courage to Refuse in 2002 and co-founded the Israeli-Palestinian group Combatants for Peace in 2005, becoming its Israeli director in 2006-2007. He has been a long-time member of the Parents Circle-Families Forum. In 2012, he participated in a mission with the Swedish boat S/V Estelle to challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Elik earned his PhD in Middle East studies from Columbia University and currently works as a professor teaching Yiddish and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at City College of New York.
Date: Sunday, August 18, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM Jerusalem time, 5:00 PM London time,
