Israeli–Palestinian conflict

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Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Part of the Arab–Israeli conflict
Central Israel next to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, 2007
Date Early 20th century-present Location Israel, Palestinian territories Result Ongoing
Belligerents
Palestinians	Israelis
Peace Process Camp David Accords · Madrid Conference Oslo Accords / Oslo II · Hebron Protocol Wye River / Sharm el-Sheikh Memoranda 2000 Camp David Summit · Taba Summit Road Map · Annapolis Conference Primary Negotiation Concerns Antisemitic incitements · Israeli settlements Israeli West Bank barrier · Jewish state Palestinian political violence Palestinian refugees · Palestinian state Places of worship · Status of Jerusalem

Israel, West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights

The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is an ongoing dispute between Israel and the Palestinians.^[1] Although the conflict is wide-ranging, the key issues are border security, water rights, control of Jerusalem, land rights, and legalities concerning refugees. The violence resulting from the conflict has prompted other security and human rights concerns on both sides and internationally. It forms part of the wider Arab–Israeli conflict. The term is also used in reference to the earlier phases of the same conflict, between Zionist halutzim and the Arab population living in Palestine under Ottoman or British rule.
Many attempts have been made to broker a two-state solution, which would entail the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside an independent Jewish state or next to the State of Israel (after Israel's establishment in 1948). As of 2009, a majority of both Israelis and Palestinians, according to a number of polls, prefer the two-state solution over any other solution as a means of resolving the conflict.^[2][3][4] A majority of Palestinians and Israelis view the West Bank and Gaza Strip as an acceptable location of the hypothetical Palestinian state in a two-state solution.^[5] However, there are significant areas of disagreement over the shape of any final agreement and also regarding the level of credibility each side sees in the other in upholding basic commitments.^[6] A handful of academics advocate a one-state solution, whereby all of Israel, the Gaza Strip, and West Bank would become a bi-national state with equal rights for all.^[7][8]
Within Israeli and Palestinian society, the conflict generates a wide variety of views and opinions. This highlights the deep divisions which exist not only between Israelis and Palestinians, but also within each society.
A hallmark of the conflict has been the level of violence witnessed for virtually its entire duration. Fighting has been conducted by regular armies, paramilitary groups, terror cells and individuals. Casualties have not been restricted to the military, with a large number of fatalities in civilian population on both sides.
There are prominent international actors involved in the conflict. The two parties engaged in direct negotiation are the Israeli government, currently led by Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), currently headed by Mahmoud Abbas. The official negotiations are mediated by an international contingent known as the Quartet on the Middle East (the Quartet) represented by a special envoy that consists of the United States, Russia, the European Union, and the United Nations. The Arab League is another important actor, which has proposed an alternative peace plan. Egypt, a founding member of the Arab League, has historically been a key participant.
Since 2003, the Palestinian side has been fractured by conflict between the two major factions: Fatah, the traditionally dominant party, and its more recent electoral challenger, Hamas. Following Hamas' seizure of power in the Gaza Strip in June 2007, the territory controlled by the Palestinian National Authority (the Palestinian interim government) is split between Fatah in the West Bank, and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The division of governance between the parties has effectively resulted in the collapse of bipartisan governance of the Palestinian National Authority (PA).
The most recent round of peace negotiations began at Annapolis, Maryland, United States, in November 2007. These talks aimed at having a final resolution by the end of 2008.^[9] The parties agree there are six core, or 'final status,' issues which need to be resolved.^[10]

Bank Bailout Scandal Rocks Indonesia

Bank bailout scandal rocks Indonesia
By Patrick Guntensperger

JAKARTA - When the global financial crisis was at its height last November, Indonesia's Century Bank faced a severe liquidity crisis. Spooked depositors ran on the mid-sized consumer-oriented bank, depleting its capital base and raising fears financial contagion would have a domino effect on other wobbly financial institutions.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his team of technocrats responded by providing Century Bank a financial lifeline soon after its management declared the bank was insolvent on November 21, 2008. The initial 700 billion rupiah (US$70.9 million) cash infusion was designed to allay depositor fears and provide sufficient liquidity for normal operations.

But subsequent government funds funneled through the bank drove the total bailout bill to over 6.76 trillion (US$677.4 million), four times the amount approved by parliament. That's raisedquestions among analysts and opposition politicians why a middle-sized bank required so much capital to be stabilized.

The political opposition, including candidates outpaced by Yudhoyono at presidential polls in July, have seized on the issue to raise questions about the incumbent leader's claims to economic competence and integrity. Indonesia maintained positive economic growth rates throughout the economic downturn, while more export-oriented neighbors slipped into negative territory, and it is expected to grow by 4.3% this year.

Nonetheless, there were concerns last year that the country might need assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stabilize its complex and loosely regulated banking system. Century Bank represents the amalgamation of three smaller banks whose balance sheets were combined and re-opened under a new banner in 2005. It has since been rocked by an embezzlement scandal, where a top executive allegedly skimmed hundreds of millions of dollars worth of bank assets into a personal account.

As the global economy stabilizes, Yudhoyono's economic team has apparently weathered the storm and avoided the need for what would have been a politically unpopular re-engagement with the IMF. People still recall the austerity measures imposed during the 1997-98 financial crisis after the government borrowed (US$42 billion) from the IMF, which is it still paying off.

Opposition attacks have surprisingly focused on Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, who has won widespread international acclaim for uprooting corruption and improving efficiency at the ministry, including over the notoriously graft-ridden Customs and Tax departments. Forbes magazine recently ranked her as the 23rd most powerful woman in the world.

Also under opposition fire is Bank of Indonesia governor Boediono, another respected technocrat who ran and resoundingly won as Yudhoyono's running mate at the presidential elections in July. He, too, has been credited with bringing high-level graft and embezzlement scandals at the central bank under control. That anti-corruption record and his technocratic credentials were a key attraction to the Yudhoyono-Boediono ticket.

Political charges
Outgoing vice president and last-placed presidential candidate, Jusuf Kalla, has accused Boediono of "dereliction of duty" for his role in securing Century Bank's bailout. The accusations claim there was a behind-the-scenes collusion agreement for the government to pump enough cash into the institution so that politically connected depositors could recover their funds before the wider depositor base. Among the bank's major depositors are the wealthy Sampoerna and Arifin Panigoro families, as well as Indonesian state-owned insurance firm PT Jamsostek and national tin miner PT Timah.

According to Kalla, still the incumbent vice president, these key depositors acted on insider information to make massive withdrawals at the same time the government was pumping more capital into the bank than had been agreed to by parliament. All have denied any wrongdoing related to the bailout. Parliament has requested the Supreme Audit Agency and the anti-graft agency (KPK) to conduct an investigative audit of the bank and the bailout.

Further complicating the case is the fact that Century Bank major shareholder Robert Tantular was under investigation for massive fraud through embezzlement at the same time the government released its first tranche of rescue capital. Tantular was arrested on November 26, 2008, and now faces eight years imprisonment if convicted on the embezzlement charges, which some unconfirmed reports have estimated at nearly US$1 billion. The prosecution has not yet presented its case against the shareholder, who has denied the charges.

The opposition's accusations have raised new questions in the public eye about Yudhoyono's economic management and anti-corruption credentials, which he leveraged to positive effect to win votes at the July polls. Indrawati said in a Tuesday meeting with journalists attended by Asia Times Online that there was no way that Tantular's fraud could have been apparent to Boediono and the central bank at the time of the bailout.

Indrawati, who is also acting chief economics minister, said the bailout was necessary to prevent the bank from failing and to maintain financial sector stability. When asked if the bailout was politically motivated, she replied, "Absolutely not. It was part of the government's strategy to cope with the financial crisis." She added that the only part politics played in the bailout was the positive side effect of allowing for a greater government role in supervision and control over financial institutions' management.

That, she said, will include future government surveillance over senior executives' remuneration, which, through alleged transfers of bank capital to a major shareholder's personal accounts, contributed to Century Bank's collapse. Indrawati said she views the political furor over the new revelations about the scale of the bailout as the inevitable criticism of ministers who manage economic and finance portfolios and take crucial decisions to maintain systemic stability during times of crisis.

It's yet to be seen how Yudhoyono, Boediono and Indrawati will emerge from the politically charged allegations that they mismanaged the Bank Century's bailout. Some analysts claim the bailout worked, the fraud was investigated and is being prosecuted and Yudhoyono's economic team will still be viewed favorably by international investors keen on the reform prospects of a second Yudhoyono term.

As Yudhoyono mulls his next cabinet, which should be in place by the end of October, some wonder if the Bank Century controversy will have any bearing on Indrawati's next posting. When asked if she would prefer to continue as finance minister, she replied, "What possible motivation could I have to want to do that job for five more years?"

Queried which portfolio she would prefer, Indrawati replied without hesitation the education portfolio and deflected a query if she would accept an invitation to serve as next justice minister. With another financial crisis apparently averted, the Bank Century controversy shows there is still much to be learned about the rule of law among Indonesian bankers and regulators.

Patrick Guntensperger is a Jakarta-based journalist and teacher of journalism. His blog can be found at http://pagun-view.blogspot.com

LAWAN PENYAKIT & TINGKATKAN IMUNITAS DENGAN SAMBILOTO

TANAMAN SAMBILOTO

Sambiloto tumbuh liar di tempat terbuka seperti kebun, tepi sungai tanah kosong yang agak lembap atau dipekarangan. Daun tunggal, bertangkai pendek, letak berhadapan bersilang, bentuk laset, pangkal runcing, ujung meruncing, tepi rata, permukaan atas hijau tua, bagian bawah hijau muda, panjang 2-8 cm, lebar 1-3 cm. Bunga berbibir berbentuk tabung, kecil-kecil, warnanya putih bernoda ungu,. Buah kapsul berbentuk jorong. Perbanyak dengan biji atau stek batang.

Relief daun sambiloto ada di Candi Borobudur serta di Kitab Serat Rama dalam bahasa Jawa Kawi di sekitar abad 18. Disebutkan sambiloto berkhasiat untuk mengobati prajurit Hanoman yang terluka ketika perang melawan Rahwana.

Sejalan dengan trend “back to nature”, kalangan asing pun sudah banyak yang melirik khasiat sambiloto. Berbagai penelitian yang dilakukan baik di dalam maupun di luar negeri, menemukan bahwa di balik rasa pahit sambiloto, terkandung zat aktif androgapholid yang sangat bermanfaat untuk pengobatan. India juga sudah lama mengenal tanaman obat ini, bahkan sambiloto digunakan untuk memerangi epidemi flu di India pada tahun 1919 dan terbukti efektif sehingga sambiloto mendapat julukan the “Indian Echinacea”.
Di Cina, sambiloto sudah di uji klinis dan terbukti berkhasiat sebagai anti hepapatoksik (anti penyakit hati). Di Jepang, sedang di jajaki kemungkinan untuk memakai sambiloto sebagai obat HIV, dan di Skandinavia, sambiloto di gunakan untuk mengatasi penyakit-penyakit infeksi.

Sifat kimiawi :

Rasa pahit, dingin, masuk meridian paru, lambung, usus besar dan usus kecil. Daun dan percabangannya mengandung laktone yang terdiri dari deoksiandrografolid, andrografolid (zat pahit), neoandrgrafolid, 14-deoksi-11-12-didehidroandrografolid,dan homoandrografolid, flavoid, alkene, keton, aldehid, mineral (kalium,kalsium, natrium). Asam kersik, damar. flavotiod

Diisolasi terbanyak dari akar yaitu polimetatoksivaflavon, andrografin, pan, ikkulin. Mono-0-metilwhitin dan apigenin-7,4 dimetileter. Zak aktif andrografoid terbukti berkhasiat sebagai hepatoprotektor (melindungi sel hati dari zat  toksin)

Efek farmakologis :

1. Herba ini berkhasiat bakteriostatik pada Staphylococcus Aurcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Proteus vulgaris, Shigella dysenteriae dan Escherichia Coli.
2. Herba ini sangat efektif untuk pengobatan infeksi In vitro, air rebusannya merangsang daya fagositosis sel darah putih.
3. Andrografoid menurunkan demam yang ditimbulkan oleh pemberian vaksin yang menyebabkan panas pada kelinci.
4. Andrografolid dapat mengakhiri kehamilan dan menghambat pertumbuhan trofosit plasenta.
5. Dari segi farmakologi, sambiloto mempunyai efek muskarinik pada pembuluh darah, efek pada jantung iskenik, efek pada respirasi sel. Sifat kholeretik, anti inflamasi dan anti bakteri.
6. Komponen aktifnya seperti coandrografolid, deoksiandrografolid dan 14-deoksi-11, 12-didehidroandrografolid berkhasiat anti radang dan antipiretik.
7. Pemberian rebusan daun sambiloto 40% bly sebanyak 20 milkg bb dapat menurunkan kadar glucosa darah tikus putih (W. Sugiyanto, Fak. Farmasi UGM, 1978)
8. Infus daun sambiloto 5%, 10% dan 15%, semuanya dapat menurunkan suhu tubuh marmut yang dibuat demam (hasir, jurusan farmasi FMIPA UNHAS, 1988).
9. Infus herba sambiloto mempunyai daya anti jamur terhadap Microsforum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, candida albicans, dan ephydermaphyton floccosum (Lyli Hamzah bagian parasitologi FKUI )
10. Fraksi etanol herba sambiloto memounyai efek antihistaminergik.(Anna setiadi Ranti jurusan farmasi FMIPA ITB)

Khasiat herba sambiloto :

Hepatitis, infeksi saluran empedu, disentri basiler, tifoid, diare, influenza, radang amandel (tonsilitis), abses paru, malaria, radang paru (pneumonia), radang saluran nafas (bronchitis), radang ginjal (pielonefritis), radang telingah tengah (OMA), radang usus buntu, sakit gigi, demam, kencing nanah (gonore), kencing manis (diabetes melitus), TB paru, skrofulderma, batuk rejan (pertusis) sesak nafas, leptospirosis, darah tinggi, kusta, keracunan jamur, keracunan singking, keracunan tempe bongkrek, keracunan makanan laut. Kanker, penyakit trofoblas, kehamilan anggur (mola hidatidosa)  tumor paru.

Cara pemakaian :

Herba kering sebanyak 10-20 gr direbus atau herba kering digiling halus menjadi bubuk lalu diseduh. Minum 3-4 kali sehari, 4-6 tablet untuk pengobatan kanker. Untuk pemakain luar herba segar direbus, gunakan airnya untuk mencuci. Atau herba segar digiling halus, bubuhkan di tempat yang sakit seperti digigit ular berbisa, bisul, atau gatal-gatal.

Therapy Herba :

- Tifoid

Daun sambiloto segar sebanyak 15 lembar direbus dengan 2 gelas air hingga tersisa 1 gelas. Setelah  dingin disaring, tambahkan madu secukupnya, langsung diminum sekaligus. Lakukan 3 kali sehari.

- Disentri Basiler, Diare, Bronchitis, radang paru

Herba kering sebanyak 10 gr-15 gr direbus dengan 3 gelas air hingga tersisa 1 gelas. Setelah dingin saring dan minum 2 kali sehari, masing-masing setengah gelas.

- Influenza, Sakit Kepala, Demam

Bubuk kering sambiloto sebanyak 1 gr diseduh dengan 1 cangkir air panas. Setelah dingin langsung diminum. Lakukan 3-4 kali sehari.

- Demam

Daun sambiloto segar sebanyak 1 genggam ditumbuk. Tambahkan setengah cangkir air bersih, saring lalu diminum. Daun segar digiling halus. Gunakan sebagai tapal badan yang panas.

- TB Paru

Daun sambiloto kering digiling menjadi bubuk. Tambahkan madu secukupnya (sambil diaduk rata-rata) lalu dibuat pil dengan diameter 0.5 cm. Pil ini lalu diminum dengan air matang, sehari  2kali (sekali minum 15 pil)

- Batuk Rejan & Darah Tinggi

7 lembar daun sambiloto segar diseduh dengan ½ cangkir  air panas. Tambahkan air panas secukupnya (sambil diaduk. setelah dingin langsung diminum. Lakukan 3 kali sehari.

- Radang Paru, radang Mulut, Tonsilitis

Bubuk kering herba sambiloto 4,5 gr diseduh dengan air panas. Setelah dingin, tambahakan madu secukupnya. Minum sekaligus.

Faringitis herba sambiloto segar sebanyak 9 gr dicuci. Bilas dengan air matang. Bahan tersebut dikunyah, airnya ditelan.

- Hidung Berlendir, OMA, Sakit Gigi

15 gr herba segar direbus dengan 3 gelas air samapi tersisa 1 gelas. Setelah dingin disaring. Minum 2 kali sehari. Tiap minum ½ gelas.

- Kencing Manis

½ genggam daun segar dicuci. Rebus dengan 3 gelas air hingga tersisa 1 gelas. Setelah dingin disaring minum sehabis makan. Lakukan 3 kali sehari. Tiap minum ¾ gelas.

- Kencing Nanah

Sebanyak 3 tangkai sambiloto utuh dicuci lalu direbus dengan 4 gelas minum air bersih hingga tersisa 2 gelas. Setelah dingin saring minum dengan madu seperlunya, 3 kali sehari, tiap minum ¾ gelas.

Jadi, mulailah kembali ke alam & berbanggalah kita sebagai orang Indonesia yang dikaruniai Tuhan YME tanaman berkhasiat luar biasa ini.

Doa Islam Mustajabbah

Banyak sudah personal yang mengamalkan kumpulan do'a ini yang disusun sedemikian rupa oleh para ulama-ulama sufi terdahulu dan membuktikan keampuhannya dalam mengatasi berbagai macam kendala hidup.

Bagi yang tertarik untuk mengamalkan doa yang luar biasa ini bisa mendapatkannya di URL ini : http://shalatdoa.blogspot.com

Buaya dan Cicak

Di negara yg katanya punya moralitas ketimuran yg tersohor ternyata ada asal omong (yg katanya juga ga sengaja) dan parahnya keluar dari mulut personal yang diharapkan jadi panutan, penengah, pengayom dan pelindung rakyat.
Wild Wild West Wanna Be....?