PM Ariel Sharon has dubbed 2005 "the year
of opportunities." Much of this optimism rests, says our editorial,
On the Narrow Shoulders of Abu Mazen. The
Elections for the Palestinian Presidency, it is hoped, will give Abu
Mazen a Second Try, providing Sharon with a docile partner for
negotiations.
Israel pushes ahead meanwhile with its
"monument to pessimism," the separation fence. (The phrase is Meron
Benvinisti's.) Our correspondent rides The Za'atar Express, getting
a first-hand lesson in post-separation commerce between Israel and the
Territories.
The Workers Advice Center (WAC) has come
under attack from the Registrar for Non-profit Associations, who wants to
dismantle it because of its ties to the Organization for Democratic
Action, a (perfectly legal) left-wing party. WAC insists on its right to
go on with its work. In four articles, we tackle some deeper aspects of
the issue: In
Accusations and Answers we present the Registrar's
charges and WAC's replies. Of Parties and NGOs discusses the
Link Between ODA and WAC. We interview Professor Itzhak Galnoor, head
of a research committee on the Third Sector, concerning
Civil Society
and the State. We also interview
Two Workers, members of WAC.
More on
the WAC campaign.
Video 48 has produced its third
documentary, Breaking Walls, in which WAC workers join artists to
paint a mural at an Arab village. We present a review of the film.
In December 2004, 75 Israeli artists joined
the activists of Hanitzotz Publishing House, contributing works to a
benefit Sale for the Baqa Center in Jaffa. We cover the event and
provide internet links to many of the pictures.
We wish our readers a year of productive
struggle to end the occupations of Iraq and Palestine, to overcome poverty
and suffering, and to free us all from the yoke of capitalist
exploitation.
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