Crossing The Line will be on hiatus until August 2009.  Do to a  difficult financial situation at the moment we will be unable to continue doing a weekly podcast of the show.

We will return with a monthly show covering the same issues regarding the Palestinian/Israeli conflict that you have come to expect from our dedicated team.

We do hope you'll bear with us during this hard time and we appreciate all the support that you have given us over the last three years. Past shows will still be available for all who wish to hear them in our archive section. Please feel free to circulate former shows to concerned citizens worldwide.

Thank you again for everything and we'll be back in August!

Salamat!

Naji Ali
Executive Producer and host

There will be no CTL episode this week. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you.

 This week on Crossing The Line: The UN Committee Against Torture releases a scathing report on Israel's continued use of torture on Palestinian prisoners we'll speak to Louis Frankenthaler of The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel about the report and a follow-up report that PCATI issued.

Also this week, after nearly two years of isolation from the outside world - courtesy of the Israeli military - ongoing extrajudicial assasinations, acute malnutrition, and a host of other issues facing the Gaza Strip's 1.5 million residents activists from Brittan organized a massive convoy of goods and services to send to the occupants of the world's largest open-air prison. We'll speak to Fatima Mohammadi an activist and coordinator of Viva Palestina about the convoy and the challenges they face.

This week on Crossing The Line: Dori Smith of Talk Nation Radio speaks with Ron Yaron of Physicians For Human Rights about Israeli war crimes committed during the three week assault on Gaza. Later in the show, Smith plays clips from a documentary film by the Guardian's Clancy Chassay and Julian Borger. They investigated Israeli war crimes in Gaza and attacks on hospitals and medical workers.

And finally, May 15th 2009 marks 61 years since The Nakba or "Catastrophe," when more than 700,000 Palestinians were forcibly removed from they're homes by Jewish militia groups, today we'll hear the voice of one who remembers the events that changed the lives of herself, her family and all Palestinians in their homeland.

This week on Crossing The Line: Investigative journalist and Crossing The Line contributing producer Nora Barrows-Friedman will spend the hour speaking with Hazam Jamjoum of Badil; The Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugees' Rights about Israel's practice of apartheid.

In honor of May Day, Crossing The Line will not air an episode in solidarity with workers of the world in general and Palestine in particular. We will air a new episode on May 8th. Thank you.

This week on Crossing The Line: it is one of the great paradoxes of the modern Middle East, when peace with the Palestinians is in sight, Israel will turn violent.

This is quite understandable though, when one realizes that the entire raison d'etre of the Jewish State is based on the principle of establishing 'greater Israel." Today, we'll speak to Middle East commentator Rannie Amiri about the curious case of the Israeli state, then later in the podcast an extended commentary by Mumia Abu Jamal regarding the recent G-20 summit.

This week on Crossing The Line: Israel continues it's nearly two-year closure of the Gaza Strip as thousands of medical patients take to the streets to protest this past week.

With the continued sealing off of all Gaza's exits how can humanitarian relief be given to the strip's 1.5 million residents who are facing a grave crisis, and more importantly how can Gazans be allowed to sustain their own futures rather than be wards of the UN. Melinda Borne, program director of United Palestine Appeal will join us to talk about it.

This week on Crossing The Line: two US Congressmen visit Gaza and are stunned by the destruction they see, but neither utters a word of criticism about Israel's three-week assault on the region.

Meanwhile, President Barrack Obama calls for a reduction in nuclear weapons between the US and Russia, but why isn't Israel being challenged to do the same?

Investigative journalist and Crossing The Line correspondent, Nora Barrows-Friedman will spend the hour with us addressing these issues, plus settlement expansion.

This week on Crossing The Line: after 21 years of distinguished academic service, Joel Kovel the former Algir Hiss Chair of Social Studies at bard College is fired over his criticism of Zionism, we'll speak to Kovel about the firing and what lead to it.


Also this week,  an Internal Israeli army investigation finds no fault on the part of soldiers that many human rights groups say committed war crimes during the three week assault on Gaza, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas recalls the PLO Ambassador to Russia, Afif Safieh, after he attended a rally in support of the region. Businessman and journalist Sam Bahour will talk about the Israeli internal investigation, Abbas' latest move regarding Safieh, and the current political climate in Palestine.

This week on Crossing The Line: on December 28th, 2008 the second day of the three-week Israeli offensive, the science building at the Islamic University of Gaza was bombed. Israel claims the building was where Palestinians were manufacturing weapons, but no evidence has been put forth to prove this. We'll speak to Dr. Akram Habeeb, a professor of English at the university about the bombing and what lies ahead for the students and faculty.

Also this week, the university's science department is now nothing more than ruble. How will it be rebuilt and why is there not more outrage at this suppression of academic freedom? Dr. Marcy Newman an associate professor of English at Najah University in Nablus will join us to talk about it.

For those of you who have listened to Crossing The Line over the last two years, you know that Suheir Hammad is a close friend of the show. She is currently starring in the acclaimed independent feature -- Salt of This Sea. Please check out this wonderful trailer and go support the film when it comes to your area!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBbPUxbjiuc

This week on Crossing The Line: Notable members of congress as well as the Israeli lobbies forced Charles Freeman, a highly respected foreign policy and intelligence expert to withdraw his name for consideration as the head of the National Intelligence Council.

While many in Washington spoke out in favor of Freeman, the Obama administration's voice was noticeably absent. Today we'll spend the show speaking to two former CIA analysts, Kathleen and Bill Christison about these issues.

This week on Crossing The Line: There has been a constant refrain that what is currently happening with Israeli policy towards Palestinians mirrors that of the White South African government towards Blacks. But what are the similarities and is this a fair comparison? South African activist and former member of the Mandela government Ronnie Kasrils speaks to Mordecai Briemberg of the Red-Eye Collective about the comparisons and the need for boycotts and divestment.

Also this week, the former deputy director of the Mossad's daughter refused to serve in the Israeli military because of her opposition to Israel occupying Palestinian land and was sent to prison for 35 days. We'll speak to Omer Goldman about her decision, the reaction of her father, and the consequences she faces as a result of her actions.

This week on Crossing The Line: We'll speak with Seweryn Sztalkoper of Gaza Surf Relief, whose mission is to bring surfing equipment to the small but dedicated group of surfers who ride the waves off the Gaza Strip's coast in spite of the closure and while being shot at by the Israeli navy.

Also this week, the number one rule in sports is that politics and sports don't mix. But while the massacre of Gaza raged on, athletes and coaches from around the world expressed their anger at the slaughter of the innocents. Award-winning sportswriter Dave Zirin will join us to talk about the massacre, sports and resistance, and the need for a strong boycott, divestment and sanctions on Israel pertaining to athletics.

This week on Crossing The Line: we'll hear the conclusion  of a two-part talk given by author, lecturer and noted scholar Dr. Norman Finkelstein about the Israeli massacre on Gaza and the explanation and real reason for the attacks.

Then later in the podcast a poem by award-winning Palestinian American poet Suheir Hammad.

This week on Crossing The Line: we’ll hear part one of a two-part talk given by author, lecturer and noted scholar Dr. Norman Finkelstein about the Israeli massacre on Gaza and the explanation and real reason for the attacks.

Then later in the podcast a commentary by Mumia abu-Jamal regarding the siege on Gaza.

This week on Crossing The Line: Israeli elections were held on February 10^th and the “so-called” center right party of Kadima, headed by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, holds a narrow lead over the far-right Likud Party and its head Benyamin Netanyahu to determine the next Prime Minister of Israel. But although both leaders come from different parties there are vast similarities between the two when it comes to dealing with the Palestinians, Phyllis Bennis a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies will join us to talk about the elections and what might lie ahead.

Also this week, Israel has been accused of war crimes against the Palestinians during its 22 day assault on Gaza by a number of human rights groups. Dori Smith of Talk Nation Radio speaks with Zahir Jan Mohammed -- Amnesty International Advocacy Director of Middle East and North Africa -- about Israel's violations of international law.

This week on Crossing The Line, as President Barrack Obama stood before a crowd of 2 million giving his inaugural address, he pledged to work with those in the Arab and Muslim world towards peace. But absent in the message was any condemnation of Israeli atrocities committed on the Palestinians, the Electronic Intifada Ali Abunimah will join us to talk about the new administration, the recent massacre in Gaza and the prospects of peace in the region.

Also this week, we'll speak to Crossing The Line special correspondent Rami Almeghari about the current situation on the ground in Gaza after the 22 day siege.

This week on a special Crossing The Line: we'll present a documentary feature by filmmaker and British journalist John Pillger entitled, "Palestine is Still The Issue" which documents the effects of  40 years of ocupation and over 60 years of dispossesion.

 

PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO JANUARY 30TH EPISODE OF CROSSING THE LINE. WE WILL RETURN WITH NEW EPISODES BEGINNING FEBRUARY 6TH FOCUSING ON THE ISRAELI ASSAULT ON GAZA AND CONTINUING ON THIS ISSUE THROUGHOUT THE MONTH.

This week on Crossing The Line: when a fighter dies who is lost? When a young man ends his life strapped to a bomb who is left behind? And where do the new generations find a placefrom which to start?

 

In this week's journalist Seth Porcello looks at the relationship between children and the situations of conflict they inhabit. Here the line between external and internal violence is blurred as children in Jenin refugee camp struggle to reconcile the death and loss they are surrounded by on a daily basis with the simple reality of childhood.

This week on Crossing The Line: we'll listen to a documentary by journalist Seth Porcello that features audio of the people in the village of Majdal Shams shouting across the minfield (1967 cease-fire line) that seperates them from their relatives in Syria.

 

This very tangible sound of a border, and occupation, serves as a point from which to tell this story. As you hear the Safhia family, who very graciously allowed Porcello to record their conversation, you hear, without interpertation, what it is to go on living and coping with the reality of never being able to reunite with your family. Through their bullhorns they give voice to the border, through the silence of the minefield.

 

Also this week, Saed Bannoura of the International Middle East Medai Center presents a lecture of life as a journalist and Palestinian under Israeli occupation; please stay wih us for this powerful episode of Crossing The Line.

This week on Crossing The Line: South African Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu was banned from appearing at an April, 2008 conference at the University of St. Thomas, due to allegations that he had previously compared Israel to Hitler.

 

This Allegation was made by mumerous 'pro-Israel" entitiels, such as The Zionist Organization of America, The David Project, David Horowitz, and The Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

 

Today we will air an inspiring spech that Tutu gave that was critical of Israel's occupation but was expressed with love for Palestinians and Israelis, as well as a call for peace with justice, all of this coming up stay tuned.

THis week on Crossing The Line: Mark Helpsmeet host of Spirit in Action presents a program of three women; an Israeli Jew, a Palestinian Chrisitian, and a Palestinian Muslim  from The Jerusalem Women Speaking Tour; who present their lives to an American audience and their advocacy to try and do active peacemaking in a troubled land, all of this straight ahead stay with us.

This week on Crossing The Line: Ramzy Baroud editor and publisher of The Palestine Chronicle talks with Stephen Lendman of the Global Research News Hour about the latest developments in Gaza, the West Bank and the Israeli Empire, all of that and more coming up on this week's show.

This week on a special Crossing The Line: multi-award winning Palestinian American Poet Suheir Hammad will join us to talk about her latest volume of poetry entitled Breaking Poems, the cultural boycott of Israel, her first feature film role and the historic US presidential elections, all this and more straight ahead stay with us.

This week on Crossing The Line: John Reynolds a legal researcher and lawyer with Al-Haq, a human rights organization based in Palestine, talks with journalist, David Parker of Resistance Radio about a landmark court case of a Palestinian village taking two Canadian companies to Canadian court for their construction of Jewish Israeli settlements on Palestinian occupied territory. Also this week Flashpoints Radio Senior Producer and Crossing The Line correspondent Nora Barrows-Friedman talks with an eyewitness to settler and military violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.