"Jenin, Jenin" at the AIC: the equivocal discussion 
By Ronni Shendar, Alternative Infortmation Center, December 30, 2002 
About 70 people joined the AIC, on December 26th, for the screening of the recently banned film, “Jenin, Jenin” produced by Israeli-Palestinian director Mohammed Bakri. The screening is part of a nation-wide web of independent screenings in protest and outcry against the Israeli censorship. “Jenin, Jenin,” a 53 minute film, was filmed several weeks after the Defensive Shield Operation, the military operation in which Israeli bulldozers demolished and leveled more than 100 Palestinian homes in the Jenin Refugee Camp and murdered over 50 persons (half of whom were unarmed). The film is comprised of interviews with residents of the camp and many visuals and panoramic shots of the camp’s destruction.

Back to Iraq as a human shield
By Ken Nichols O'Keefe, The Guardian, December 29, 2002
Protest organiser and former US veteran explains why he believes that this is the most effective way to oppose the war --- Day by day, the latest headlines tell us that we are moving ever closer to war with Iraq. So many people around the world are ashamed and outraged by this prospect and yet feel powerless to make their voices heard. Large rallies for peace have been held in cities around the world. Yet the bulletins quickly return to the war drums beating ever faster for what must be one of the most choreographed and longest-planned wars in history. Those who suffer most will of course be the innocent and victimized men, women and children in Iraq who are set to endure yet another war and unknown loss of life. Their crime? Simply to be the powerless citizens of an oil rich nation with a violent dictator who no longer fulfils the needs of Western powers who supported and armed him in the past.

Anti-war group finds charismatic leader in Williams
By Neil Berry, Arab News, December 30, 2002
With many friends in the Middle East, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has wasted no time in challenging the morality of waging war against Iraq. In his headline-grabbing Christmas message, the archbishop criticized in mordant terms the Western warmongers who have set themselves up as “wise men” but who — following the pattern of the “wise men” in the Christian story — may soon become the authors of much needless bloodshed and human suffering.

It's not enough to beat them up
By Akiva Eldar, Ha'aretz, December 30, 2002
Pressure from the settlers is not the main reason for the government's opposition to the separation fence; the military establishment, which is not up for reelection, also exudes a chill toward an enterprise meant to make it more difficult for terrorists to infiltrate into Israel. The budget is also not the explanation for the delays in the fence's construction: The money saved on stolen cars and farm equipment alone could cover the costs of the fence, with change left over. The explanation is much simpler: The Defense Ministry and army are headed by people who believe that the Palestinians can be defeated in Nablus and Gaza, far from Kfar Sava and Sderot. Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon continues to promote "Constructive Destruction," the utter demolition of the political and security foundations of the Palestinian Authority, in order to build a new, upgraded version of the South Lebanese Army in its place. Give Shaul Mofaz a little more rope for "pinpoint preventions" and a few more hours of curfew, a few more demolished houses and uprooted trees, and poverty, hunger and despair will do the rest.

The Political Significance of Israel’s Assassination Policy
Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site, Palestine Chronicle, December 30, 2002
WASHINGTON - It is time to call things by their right name and expose what is taking place on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israel, with the support of the United States, is carrying out a policy of assassinations that has as its aim the destruction of the political infrastructure of the Palestinian national movement. The claim that Palestinian leaders are being stalked and killed to preempt terrorist acts is little more than a cover for a policy with far broader aims. The Israeli state is employing the most sophisticated military and technological means to decapitate the leadership and terrorize the entire Palestinian population. The basic objective is to prevent at all costs the emergence of an independent Palestinian state.

No Place Like Home: Story of a Caterpillar
By Tariq Shadid, Palestine Chronicle, December 30, 2002
"A few minutes later, kept at a safe distance by heavily armed soldiers, you and your family watch the bulldozers tear down wall after wall of your home .." --- (PalestineChronicle.com) - Imagine waking up one day, early in the morning, by a loud knock on the door. You were expecting to go to work that day, but you hadn’t set your alarm clock to this early hour. Then, before you get a chance to get dressed and go see who is at the door, your hear a loud noise of breaking wood and crunching metal, and heavy boots running up your stairs. They pull you out of your bed, and tell you to wake up your wife and children, and get everyone out of the house immediately, because your house will be demolished starting within five minutes. A few minutes later, kept at a safe distance by heavily armed soldiers, you and your family watch the bulldozers tear down wall after wall of your home, seeing your possessions exposed and consequently smashed by the raw power of heavy Caterpillar® bulldozers.

Language Lessons in Jenin
By Annie Higgins, Palestine Chronicle, December 30, 2002  
JENIN, West Bank (PalestineChronicle.com) - The first time I stopped into el-Izz ad-Din School for boys [grades 7-10] in the northeast section of Jenin was in early October when the tanks were making the rounds of schools and blocking the entrances. Three weeks later with the tanks practicing the same drill, I stopped to check on the school, as it is on the path of one of the tanks' primary entrances to Jenin. The school had not been bothered that day. Instead the faculty were discussing the unfairness of the Palestinian Authority's announcement that teachers would not be paid for days they missed due to absences caused by the Occupation forces. This did not seem fair to the teachers who undergo daily feats of hardship and courage facing checkpoints or going around them, sometimes to be turned back or delayed until school is over, through no fault of their own.

The attorney general's smoke screen
By Nimr Sultani, Ha'aretz, December 30, 2002
Several requests to ban certain parties or candidates from running in the upcoming Knesset elections are to be debated this week by the Central Elections Commission. One of these is Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein's request to ban the Balad list and its leader, MK Dr. Azmi Bishara. The attorney general's position is based on a series of amendments recently passed by the Knesset that allow either a list or a particular candidate to be banned on the grounds they "reject the existence of the state of Israel as a Jewish democratic state" or "support the armed struggle of a hostile state or terrorist organization against the state of Israel."

Father, Forgive them, For They know not what they do
"The Prince of Peace Under House Arrest in Washington and Bethlehem"
By Mohamed Khodr, Media Monitors Network, December 30, 2002
The Beginning of the End of Christianity in the Holy Land.   No Room in the Holy Land Except for Jews. --- Father, forgive Bush, Blair, and Sharon for their "pre-emptive" evil thoughts as we pray for  "peace on earth, good will to men" / Father, forgive them their hate of their "fellow man" as we forgive them with your love; / Father, forgive them their "lies" as we search for truth; / Father, forgive Sharon's hate for the "Prince of Peace" for he knows not what he's doing.. / Father, forgive them their lust for "oil and riches" as we try to feed the hungry and poor; / Father, forgive their thirst for Arab Christian and Muslim blood as we are weak and they are strong. Father, forgive Sharon's occupation and curfew of "Bethlehem" as we cross check points to worship you; / Father, forgive their loud tanks in "Manger Square" that drown our praise and worship of you. / Father, forgive their murder of your children, as we forgive those who vote, arm and support them; / Father, forgive their neglect of the meek as they die hungry, cold, and sick.