Israeli soldiers intensively deployed at Qalandya
checkpoint obstruct access of Palestinians to al-
Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem for prayers. (PCHR)

Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law in the OPT continued during the reporting period (09 – 15 August 2012)

Shooting: During the reporting period, 8 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a woman, were wounded by IOF in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. During the reporting period, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the annexation wall, settlement activities and other Israeli practices in the West Bank. As a result, 7 Palestinian civilians, including a child and a woman, were wounded. Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas inhalation. In the Gaza Strip, on 11 August 2012, a Palestinian civilian was wounded when IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Khan Yunis opened fire at al-Zanna area between al-Qarara and ‘Abassan villages. IOF continued to fire at Palestinian fishing boats. During the reporting period, PCHR documented two attacks in this regard, which did not cause casualties. Incursions: During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 7 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During these incursions, IOF arrested 7 Palestinians, including a child.

In Israel, the debate over whether to attack Iran is reaching a fever pitch. Officials there say the time to make a decision about an Israeli attack is now. - Israel is becoming increasingly agitated about the possibility that Iran could develop nuclear weapons. Gas masks have been handed out, warning systems have been tested, leading many to think the government is marching toward war. That has some Israelis accusing their government of over reacting.

AWIP: Barak: Public Opposition to War Doesn't Matter

Britain has angered Ecuador by suggesting it could invoke a domestic law allowing it to breach the usual rules and go in to arrest Assange, who has been holed up in Ecuador's London mission since June. This would challenge a fundamental principle of the diplomatic system, and the threat has left Britain in unchartered legal waters.

At the same time, Moscow warned Britain against interpreting the law selectively, stressing that London has given refuge to "dozens of people suspected of committing grave crimes" who are wanted in other countries. "What to do with a right to refuge for Julian Assange when London turns the observance of this right for this category of people into an absolute principle?" the Russian foreign ministry asked, referring to a number of high-profile figures granted asylum in Britain.

Russia Today: Americas bloc takes UK threats to Ecuador for international discussion

Startling Evidence That Central Banks And Wall Street Insiders Are Rapidly Preparing For Something BIG. - If you want to figure out what is going to happen next in the financial markets, carefully watch what the insiders are doing. Those that are "connected" have access to far better sources of information than the rest of us have, and if they hear that something big is coming up they will often make very significant moves with their money in anticipation of what is about to happen. Right now, Wall Street insiders and central banks all around the globe are making some very unusual moves. In fact, they appear to be rapidly preparing for something really big. So exactly what are they up to?

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has said that the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should be "smashed fast." He even went further into saying that President Assad doesn't deserve to be alive. - His comments are similar to those of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy before his country joined a NATO-led attack on Libya which resulted in the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi and his government.

Women performing apartheid-era toyi-toyi dance condemn mine company as they wait for news of victims of police shootings.

Thirty-four people were killed and 78 injured on Thursday when police with automatic rifles, pistols and shotguns opened fire on the strikers, many of whom were armed with spears, machetes and clubs as they demonstrated for higher wages. The shocking images, beamed to TV viewers around the world, provoked comparisons with massacres by the white minority regime of the country's past. On Friday, next to the killing field, wives took the place of their dead and wounded husbands to stage an angry, emotionally charged demonstration. The women raged against police brutality, mine exploitation and a lack of official information that has left them agonisingly in the dark.

AWIP: South Africa: Zuma condemns Lonmin massacre