'Flytilla' activists demand the right to visit Palestine [Press TV, Iran]

Israeli authorities have arrested pro-Palestinian activists from different countries arriving at Ben-Gurion airport. Israel says that about 30 of the activists are being questioned while two dozen detainees have already been expelled. Hundreds of activists planned to fly into Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, on a mission to test the Israeli blockade of Gaza. But many of them did not even manage to get on their flights because Israeli authorities had provided a blacklist to foreign airlines to reject the activists before boarding. Over 600 European supporters of the Palestinian cause had planned to visit the West Bank and Jerusalem-Al-Quds.

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Jordan protests continue despite cabinet reshuffle [Press TV, Iran]

Anti-regime protestors have taken to the streets across Jordan, calling for the resignation of the country's prime minister. The protestors started to assemble outside mosques in several cities after Friday prayers. They have also been calling for the dissolution of the lower house of parliament. They also called on their government to punish corruption. Protestors also shouted slogans rejecting last week's reshuffle of the prime minister's cabinet. This is the fifth week in a row that nationwide protests have rocked the country.

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Massive Yemeni demonstrations condemn foreign meddling [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Thousands of citizens gathered in the Taghyeer or Change Squares in a number of Yemeni cities including the capital Sanaa and Taiz on what they named the 'Friday to reject mediation,' alluding to the regional and international interference in the revolution. This comes one day after Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh appeared on TV for the first time since he survived an assassination attempt earlier last month. Several neighborhoods of Sanaa also witnessed demonstrations supporting Saleh. Hundreds of thousands rallied in Yemen's Ibb Province to reject what they referred to as the "Saudi and American mandate" and demanded the prosecution of the president and his relatives responsible for the killing of the Yemeni people. Protestors renewed their call for the formation of a transitional revolutionary council. In Baida province, the revolutionaries organized a massive demonstration to reject regional and international intervention in the Yemeni revolution. They also demanded the formation of a transitional revolutionary council. Freedom Square in the city of Taiz also witnessed massive demonstrations to express the rejection of what the revolutionaries called regional and international intervention in the Yemeni revolution. The protestors chanted slogans affirming to continue their revolution until its goals are achieved. Joining us from Taiz is our al-Jazeera correspondent, Hamdi el-Bouqari. Hamdi, what differentiated this day in Taiz from others?

Reporter, Male # 2
Yes Jamal, this day was truly distinct. It comes only a few hours after the address of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, which was recorded in Saudi Arabia. These masses that gathered in great numbers seem to be responding to the address, saying the revolution is ongoing and that it is impossible to change the popular opinion against the current regime, or what the revolutionaries call the remnants of the regime. Indeed, today, the city of Taiz and many other Yemini cities witnessed large crowds in the squares to confirm that they are indifferent to Ali Abdullah Saleh's proposals and that current propositions do not meet the demands of the revolutionaries. In turn, the revolution will continue until the very end and until all its goals are attained. This Friday was also different due to the way the president's address was understood. It seemed that Saleh was expressing the regional and international support for his ruling regime. In turn, the revolution today is facing many challenges and not just in relation to the remnants of Saleh's regime in the country but also regional and international challenges. They are interested in thwarting the revolution and this is why the revolutionaries were even more determined and committed today.

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Syrians reject Assad's dialogue as regime slams incitement [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male # 1
In Syria, eight civilians were killed and a number of others were injured on what anti-regime activists called the "no dialogue Friday," as the American and French ambassadors visited Hama, and Damascus accused the US of inciting further aggression.

Reporter, Female # 1
The surprise of the "no dialogue Friday" came when the US ambassador joined anti-Syrian regime protestors. Robert Ford's visit dominated the news in Hama Thursday night. The next morning, he woke up in a city ignited by masses that demanded vengeance for what they described as Assad senior's 1982 oppression, rejecting dialogue with the son. The US State Department confirmed that the visit of its ambassador to Hama was in support of the Syrian people, while the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned Ford's violation of diplomatic norms. The Syrian ministry said he met "a number of the saboteurs in Hama and incited them to engage in more violence and protest, and to refuse dialogue." The Syrian president's advisor, Bouthaina Shaaban, saw in Ford's visit evidence of the West's attempt to incite a few people in Syria.

Guest, Female # 2 (Bouthaina Shaaban Syrian president's advisor)
Never before did an ambassador visit a city with a problem, like the case of Hama, without, first of all, a statement; and most important is the fact that the US State Department issued a statement saying the ambassador is in the city of Hama and intends to stay until the next day. What is more important than all of this is that the US Ambassador arrived to Hama at a time when a meeting was being held between the residents, mosque imams, and the civil authorities in the city of Hama. The meeting aimed at finding a solution to the problem. This means that his arrival is an attempt to prevent solving the problem. I wonder how the American ambassador was able to reach Hama as roads are being blocked by saboteurs, rioters, and gunmen. Who helped him reach al-Sreijeh Mosque in Hama at 6 pm? How did he not encounter one of the gunmen in the streets who have blocked employees in Hama from reaching their jobs for the fourth day in a row?

Reporter, Female # 1
The French ambassador to Syria, Eric Chevallier, visited one of the largest hospitals in the city of Hama on Thursday and expressed France's commitment to standing by the victims. In parallel to al-Assi Square in Hama, many other Syrian regions witnessed massive demonstrations. Protestors held banners rejecting dialogue with the regime and demanded the resignation of the president. In addition, protestors chanted against Hezbollah.

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Egyptians renew their commitment to put the 'revolution first' [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
In a massive demonstration in Egypt, hundreds of thousands gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square. Protestors carried the slogan "Revolution First" and demanded to try the figureheads of the former regime, those involved in corruption cases, and accused of killing protestors. It is worth noting that security forces were absent from the square. In Mansour city located in the Nile Delta, about ten thousand protestors gathered at al-Mahatta Square in front of the provincial government.

Reporter, Female #1
Under this slogan, protests began from Tahrir Square. Thousands rallied to remind people of the scenes of the January 25 Revolution. The square has not seen such a large crowd in months. The participants vary in their ideological orientations and political affiliations, but their demands were unified. They demanded to try the figureheads of the former regime, especially its head Hosni Mubarak, and purify the current government of all protectors of the old regime.

Guest, Male #1
In what way is Mubarak imprisoned? They've put him in a five-star hotel with servants and people to help him. He isn't imprisoned, his two sons are. He is in a five-star hotel. So put him here in our place and we'll go there, let's exchange. Put us in the "prison" that he is in now, and he can come and live in the village that we live in, which has no water and garbage in the streets.

Reporter, Female #1
Perhaps these people's anger was mostly fueled by the judicial decisions recently issued to acquit a number of figureheads of Mubarak's regime. Many people consider these verdicts unjust.

Guest, Male #2
The people were shocked by the verdicts exonerating six ministers of the former regime, who were charged with corruption and embezzling the people's money, as well as the release of police officers accused of killing revolutionaries. We came here today to announce our rejection of this deferral of justice and indulgence for the deposed president and his family.

Reporter, Female #1
The call for demonstrations was sent out by the April 6 Youth Movement and the Revolutionary Youth Alliance. The Muslim Brotherhood did not clarify its position until a few days ago, when it announced its determination to participate. The Brotherhood did not escape the allegations of trying to take advantage of the demonstration. But it justified its position by saying that the decision to participate was made after its political rivals' slogan "Constitution First," which the Brotherhood does not accept, was given up. It appears that the protestors decided to set aside the dispute over whether to write the constitution first or conduct parliamentary elections first. Therefore their top priority remains insisting the demands of the revolution are met. Sali Nabil, BBC.

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South Sudan gets new constitution [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
In the wait for the Security Council's vote, South Sudan will officially take on the mission of securing a new country, which is facing a number of security challenges despite Juba's assertion that its forces are fully ready. It is certain that Juba has finished its preparations for the ceremony to declare its independence by constitution, claim peace between the two new countries, and announce that the government and people are aware that independence is the first step in the journey to a sustainable development. Sami Shinawi reports from Juba.

Reporter, Male #1
With Independence Day festivities, Juba began an unusual day. Both sides of Freedom Square are filled with military squads and a crowd that can be described as carefully selected to welcome the guests of the new-born country. This was the final scene of the welcoming ceremony. Euphoria permeated the atmosphere among the people of South Sudan anticipating a new history to be made. Most political parties agree that the most important document for the new country is the first constitution for the Republic of South Sudan.

Guest, Male #1 (Pagan Amum, SPLM Secretary-General)
Now the Republic of South Sudan has a constitution ready for writing the basic laws of the new country. We congratulate the people of South Sudan for declaring independence on July 9.

Reporter, Male #1
South Africa will be the first country to be given the honor to secure the newborn country despite Juba's assertion that its forces deployed across the city are fully ready.

Guest, Male #2 (Lieutenant General Gier Chuang, South Sudan Interior Minister)
They are especially ready in Juba. In our province and nine other provinces, the forces are all ready to welcome July 9, Independence Day of South Sudan.

Reporter, Male #1
But the government of the south, which is determined to rule the country's affairs, still needs to put an end to the danger from dissident forces that threaten to storm Juba on the dawn of its day of independence. The government also needs to provide a solution to security breaches in the next phase after the North completely closes its border with the south. Here, history will be rewritten for President Bashir who was active in this part of his country, which has been one united nation despite the wars until tomorrow. Sami Shinawi, Dubai TV.

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Israeli rabbis arrested for endorsing controversial book [IBA, Israel]

Fallout over the recent brief detention of two prominent rabbis, Yaakov Yosef and Dov Lior over their endorsement of the controversial King's Torah book is ongoing. Hartman Institute research fellow Yossi Klein Halevi told IBA earlier this week that he is highly critical of the religious Zionist leadership for how they dealt with this issue. He says, "Israeli democracy is strong enough and resilient enough to survive the publication of a fringe book by an insignificant figure in the religious world filled with poisonous theology but confined to the fringe."

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Gaza's Rafah crossing even more restricted by post-revolution Egypt [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male #1
The Rafah border crossing that separates Egypt from the Gaza Strip has returned to its previous status and the difficulties in crossing the border are back. My colleague Mohamed el-Madhoun reports from Gaza.

Reporter, Male #2
On May 28, Egypt announced that it would open the Rafah border crossing almost entirely and permanently. However, only two days after the new opening, Egypt retracted its decision. The crossing returned to the status it held in the pre-revolution era: a mere fence that separates Gaza from the world. This is not the Rafah crossing, for reaching it is the final station in a journey of suffering and waiting that people all around the world call "traveling." The first part of this arduous journey begins here, at the travelers' registration center, where hundreds of people wishing to leave Gaza are crammed everyday. They have to reserve a spot on the list that does not allow more than 300 travelers per day. The best possible outcome for those registering today is the chance to travel in two weeks.

Guest, Female #1
They say they've facilitated travel for the Palestinians, where are these facilitations? I haven't seen any easing of the procedure at all.

Guest, Female # 2
Those who want to cross the border have a reason. They are either sick or want to visit their children or relatives. That is all! No one can reach the crossing and is willing to go through this humiliation unless they have a reason.

Guest, Female #3
This is torture of humanity. Where can one get his rights? This is wrong, both the Palestinians and Egyptians are responsible. There is nothing but suffering. Arab life is nothing but pain.

Reporter, Male #2
So Egypt did not honor its promise to facilitate travel through the crossing. However, some believe the situation is even worse now than it was during Mubarak's time in power. After the massacre on the Freedom Flotilla, 500 travelers were allowed to cross daily. Today, the maximum number of travelers allowed to cross is 300 per day. Al-Damir Association for Human Rights says the facilitations that Egypt promoted are nothing but illusions and media propaganda. If the status quo remains, and each person can only travel once every 15 years.

Guest, Male #3
The problem is exacerbated and the suffering increasing. I think the Egyptian government should clarify its position on these facilitations. It should also stop dealing with Gaza as a security issue, and view the Strip as a political issue and an urgent humanitarian issue.

Reporter, Male #2
The youth of the popular movement to open the Rafah crossing took the initiative upon themselves and planned a series of activities, including organizing sit-ins and rallies in coordination with the youth of the Egyptian revolution. One of their activities was this children's march, and work is underway for organizing a million-person march on both sides of the crossing in September.

Guest, Female #4
We protested today in front of the gate of the Rafah crossing to address humanity in revolutionary Egypt, the free Egypt; Egypt: the mother; and Egypt: the land of the Nile, that set the most wonderful example in preserving Egypt's Arab identity with its children's blood. We came carrying our childhood in one hand, and in the other, a shroud awaits us, as our eyes yearn for hope from behind the fence in front of the border.

Reporter, Male #2
Gaza understands the political and security conditions that Egypt is undergoing, and it also understands that pressure was probably placed on the Egyptian government and the military council to restore the restrictions on movement through the crossing. However, Gaza will not remain silent as it witnesses the ugly legacy of the past transferred in order for the situation at the Rafah crossing to remain unchanged, probably the only remainder of pre-revolution Egypt.