Scraping the bottom of the cistern
By Amira Hass, Ha'aretz, October 16, 2002
Where will America and the EU succeed more: In their pressure on Yasser Arafat to lead governmental, financial and security reforms, or in their pleas with Israel to guarantee enough water of reasonable quality and price to 200,000 Palestinians? Another delegation from the UN is in the country to monitor Israeli and Palestinian Authority promises to deal with the severe humanitarian crisis in the territories. The visit follows one in August by UN envoy Catherine Bertini. Her report noted that among other things, Israel promised to guarantee appropriate daily amounts of water to the Palestinians. Behind her diplomatic language was hidden an intolerable reality well known to the security forces and the international community. There are 281 Palestinian communities that are not connected to water supply lines.

The Troubling New Face of America
By Jimmy Carter, Washington Post, September 5, 2002
Fundamental changes are taking place in the historical policies of the United States with regard to human rights, our role in the community of nations and the Middle East peace process -- largely without definitive debates (except, at times, within the administration). Some new approaches have understandably evolved from quick and well-advised reactions by President Bush to the tragedy of Sept. 11, but others seem to be developing from a core group of conservatives who are trying to realize long-pent-up ambitions under the cover of the proclaimed war against terrorism.

Christian generosity becomes a rabbinical nightmare
By Yair Sheleg, Ha'aretz, October 16, 2002 
Debate has raged among American Jews about their new alliance with evangelical Christians, who in the past two years have shown themselves to be Israel's most vocifeous supporters in the United States (maybe in the world). The issue has recently reached the Chief Rabbinate Council in Israel.

Recognizing Arabs as a national minority
By Amnon Rubinstein, Ha'aretz, October 16, 2002
According to all the forecasts, Israel's Arab population will stand at two million in the year 2020. Their relative percentage in the population will also increase. Since the establishment of the state, the Arab population has held steady at 19 percent of the total population. According to estimates by the researcher Yitzhak Ravid, however, Arabs will comprise 22 percent of the population in 2020, while Jews will drop from 74 percent to 67 percent of the total population. How will we live here if the rift between us and them continues to widen?

Arabs too will mourn him
By Yair Ettinger, Ha'aretz, October 17, 2002
"It's not surprising," says Ahmed Zouabi, thinking out loud. "Maybe now of all times, it's not surprising that we are mourning the death of someone considered one of the greatest Zionist leaders." Zouabi, head of the Bustan al Marj regional council, whose jurisdiction includes four Arab communities, believes the poor relationship between Jews and Arabs has only intensified the obligation of public figures and educators to mention Yitzhak Rabin; this negative relationship, he says, arouses in many people the need to remember him.

Before it's too late
By Terje Roed-Larsen, Ha'aretz, October 17, 2002 
A fundamental concept has defined all peacemaking attempts between Israelis and Palestinians. It is called the two-state solution. Would-be Middle East peacemakers have long determined that justice, security and peace between the two peoples is best achieved by creating two sovereign states west of the Jordan River: Israel and Palestine. That includes me, as one of the facilitators of the 1993 Oslo Accords and now the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. A viable, independent Palestine alongside Israel is still possible. But perhaps not for much longer, given four undeniable trends at work today. The first two are readily apparent - a deteriorating security situation fueled by vicious terror attacks and widespread violence against civilians, and an unprecedented Palestinian humanitarian crisis. The other two, while less visceral, have serious long-term implications: The gradual destruction of the Palestinian Authority and Israel's expansion of its West Bank settlements.

Between Rabin and Sharon
By Nehemia Strasler, Ha'aretz, October 17, 2002  
Today is the anniversary of the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. Ariel Sharon won't be in the country, he won't take part in the state memorial ceremony at Mt. Herzl - and it's best that way. Hypocrisy also has to have its limits. Some of us will not forget - and will never forget - that Sharon was one of those who stood on the incitement stage in Jerusalem's Zion Square when the crowd raised signs showing Rabin dressed in an SS uniform, and those on the platform did not protest. He took an active part in the incitement against Rabin, and called the Oslo agreements - a courageous and important act of statesmanship that could have brought peace and security and economic prosperity - "an act of treason."

Israeli sympathizers' arrogance knows no bounds
By Raff Ellis, YellowTimes, October 17, 2002
(YellowTimes.org) – While channel surfing a couple of weeks ago, I landed on the "Anna Nicole Smith Show," quite by accident I assure you. In the scene I happened upon, the irrepressible Anna Nicole was riding in the back of a limousine with her lawyer, Howard K. Stern, on their way to some celebrity bash. "I think it would be good if you said something in support of Israel," Howard offered, out of the blue. I was somewhat shocked that this solicitation, completely out of context with the proceedings, would come while the camera was rolling. Nicole demurred, not that it would have made much difference in the greater scheme of things, that is. The incident set me thinking of how invidious and ubiquitous the pro-Israeli sympathizers are. It isn't enough that our Administration, Congress, and media find little if any fault with the State of Israel. It isn't enough that Israel receives massive amounts of military and economic aid, courtesy of US taxpayers. It isn't enough that our diplomats fight Israel's battles in the international arena. No, they have to answer every critic, cultivate every personality, and promote its agenda in every forum lest it suffer a percentile drop in its overwhelming support.

Carter versus the empire builders
By George S. Hishmeh, Jordan Times, October 17, 2002
WASHINGTON — Most Americans, certainly those opposed to the hawkish policies of the Bush administration, were delighted with the announcement that ex-president Jimmy Carter has won the Nobel Peace Prize.
And many of those opposed to the ongoing US war plans against Iraq, who are increasing by the day, were particularly joyous over the slap-in-the-face that US President George W. Bush received from the head of the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize Committee Gunnar Berge, when he unexpectedly declared that, in addition to honouring Carter, the 2002 prize should also be interpreted as “a criticism of the line that the current (US) administration has taken”. Neither Iraq nor the Palestinian question were identified in his remarks. The citation read in part: “In a situation currently marked by threats of the use of power, Carter has stood by the principles that conflicts must, as far as possible, be resolved through mediation and international cooperation, based on international law, respect for human rights and economic development.”