Peace in Najaf but more wasted life

Ashkurallah that the conflict in Najaf has finally ended. The nonviolent solution was inspiring, with around a million people entering the city and thousands going for juma prayers in the mosque enabling the Mahdi army to disengage safely. Sadly more people died unnecessarily in all this, apparently killed by the interim government forces. These casulties are just numbers on the news, but of course they represent real people. One was an aquaintance from my recent trip to Baghdad called Mousa. He was a bright young lawyer armed, in the words of a mutual friend, "with only great potential and deep religious conviction". The kind of person Iraq desperately needs to build a good future.

The Italian Olympic team are wearing black armbands today in respect for Enzo, including in their football game against Iraq. I think the best way we can remember him will be to continue striving for peace and justice Iraq, uncovering the truth and enjoying life with the same passion that he did.

Ewa is still in jail in Israel. Al Jazeera has an excellent report with some powerful quotes from her: "At what point do social relationships with people implicate someone as security threat?" asked Jasiecwiz rhetorically, noting that the Israeli army regards all men between the ages of 15-30 as a security threat. "They are equating social relationships with political relationships. But social relationships need to happen to foster coexistence and Israel is doing everything it can to prevent that. It is encouraging conditions of apartheid, and the wall is the most obscene and stark example of this."