Elections, Palestinian and Israeli

Mustafa Barghuti (Middle East Online photo)

Israeli planes target rocket sites in Gaza-military
ReliefWeb 3/31/2006
GAZA, March 31 (Reuters) - Israel carried out airstrikes in the Gaza Strip early on Friday morning, hitting roads and a bridge believed to be used by militants for firing rockets into Israel, the army said. An army spokesman said planes had launched two airstrikes on targets. Separately, in the worst spike in violence recently, a Palestinian suicide bomber killed at least three Israelis near a settlement in the West Bank on Thursday in an attack that a new Hamas-led government called a "natural response to Israeli crimes". The violence comes in the week that Hamas took office and Israeli leader Ehud Olmert''s party won elections with a platform of imposing a border in the occupied West Bank if peacemaking remains frozen.

Explosion kills two in Israel
AlJazeera 3/28/2006
Two Israelis have been killed in an explosion near the border with the Gaza Strip in what Palestinian resistance movement Islamic Jihad said was an attack designed to disrupt the country''s election. Two civilians, a beduin and his child, were killed in an explosion near the Nahal Oz kibbutz in southern Israel on Tuesday. The army said the blast was either caused by a fresh rocket attack or a dormant rocket that exploded. Abu Bara, a spokesman for Islamic Jihad, told AFP: "We carried out this attack in order to disrupt the Israelielections. "We strike [Israel] to show the world that this state is illegaland we will carry on. "

Israel denies border crossing change
AlJazeera 3/27/2006
The Qalandiya crossing links Jerusalem with West Bank -- An Israeli official denied that the Qalandiya checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem has been turned into an international border crossing. Ra''anan Gissin, adviser to the Israeli prime minister, told Aljazeera. net that Israel was closing checkpoints as a precautionary measure ahead of the Israeli elections on Tuesday. Earlier reports quoting an unnamed Israeli army spokesman said that Israel had turned the Qalandiya passage into an international border crossing, pointing out that the decision would be effective immediately. Palestinians fear the switch would further strangle Palestinain territories by separating Jerusalem from the rest of West Bank. "The decision has not been taken yet," Gissin told Aljazeera. net.

On the eve of the Israeli elections Jews demand to pray in Al Aqsa Mosque which many Palestinians are prevented from
Palestine News Network 3/27/2006
On the eve of the Israeli Knesset elections, slated for Tuesday 28 March, there is an escalation in demands to further impose Israeli domination on Jerusalem, particularly East Jerusalem and the Old City. Recently a declaration by an organization called “One Jerusalem” appeared regarding a document calling for the full control over Jerusalem and to allow the Jews to pray in the Al Aqsa Mosque, which many Palestinian Muslims are prevented from doing. This organization declared its intention to present this document to the heads of Zionist parties and to the American President for signing.

High alert case in Israel
Ma''an News 3/24/2006
Jerusalem-Maan- Israeli Security Forces remain on the case of alert announces in Israel fearing the Palestinian bombing operations ahead the Israeli elections on the 28th of March. Mofaz ordered his troops to stay on alert and to enhance the security measures, speaking to his military officials in a meting on Friday Mofaz said'' we have to do every thing possible to protect Israeli citizens on the day of elections" and ordered the extension of the closure imposed on the Palestinian areas until the end of March. Israeli Radio said that Israeli police forces will deploy more police forces starting from Sunday, and reported that 22. 000 police will be deployed in different cities to insure a secure election process and to prevent Palestinian attacks.

Israel kills Palestinian militant
BBC 3/22/2006
Israeli soldiers arrest a Palestinian man in the West Bank (file photo)Israel is on high alert ahead of next week''s electionIsraeli soldiers have shot and killed a Palestinian militant in the West Bank town of Jericho. The man, a member of Islamic Jihad, died when the soldiers opened fire on a house in a refugee camp after he refused to surrender, the army said. The Israelis arrested two other Islamic Jihad activists during the raid. It came a day after 10 Palestinians were arrested in a van near Jerusalem with explosives thought to be destined for use in a suicide bomb attack. Israel has been on high alert for possible suicide bombings ahead of next week''s elections. On Tuesday, it temporarily reopened the main cargo crossing into the Gaza Strip, because of concerns about a looming food crisis.

IDF extends seal on territories as humanitarian state worsens
Ha''aretz 3/18/2006
A closure on Palestinian areas, meant to end Thursday after Purim, has been extended until at least next week, and the Israel Defense Forces is inclined to continue it until after the March 28 elections. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz extended the complete closure on the territories and security forces are on high alert for fear of Palestinian retaliation for the Tuesday raid of a Jericho prison holding Palestinians wanted for the assassination of former minister Rehavam Ze''evi. The closure bars Palestinian laborers from entering Israel, and also shuts down Gaza''s main cargo crossing, Karni. Israel, citing security concerns, has closed Karni on and off for most of the past two months. Karni''s closure led the Palestinian Mill Co. , which says it supplies about 60 percent of Gaza''s flour, to idle last week because it used up its flour stocks.

East Jerusalem conference raided by Israeli security; legislators and speakers arrested
International Middle East Media Center 3/17/2006
A conference scheduled Thursday morning in East Jerusalem to plan a Palestinian civil society response to the Israeli seizure of East Jerusalem was attacked by Israeli forces, and speakers, Palestinian legislators and members of Palestinian civil society were detained and arrested, charged with holding a conference deemed ''political'' by Israeli authorities. Civil society organizations called for the conference, entitled, "The implications of the Palestinian PLC Elections on the Palestinian Political Setting: Towards a Comprehensive Plan to Save Jerusalem. " This conference was to take place at the Ambassador Hotel in East Jerusalem this morning, Thursday, March 16, 2006 to discuss the political, social and economic situation in the occupied Palestinian territories following the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections.

Purim: Full closure to be imposed on PA
YNet News 3/10/2006
Defense Minister Mofaz orders defense establishment to boost anti-terror activityHanan Greenberg Security officials have decided to impose a full closure on Palestinian areas starting Saturday night. The curfew will remain in place until Wednesday. The decision to impose the curfew ahead of the upcoming Purim holiday was taken during the weekly situation assessment undertaken Friday morning. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz instructed the IDF and defense establishment to undertake the utmost effort - including the cancellation of training sessions and leaves if necessary - to thwart terror attacks ahead of the Purim holiday and upcoming elections. ''Effort must be made'' Mofaz also ordered security forces to boost counter-terror measures at city centers and crowd concentrations.

Israeli leader plans West Bank settlement expansion, leaked letters show illegal purchases of la
International Middle East Media Center 3/10/2006
Israel will continue to build in the disputed E-1 zone between the illegally constructed Ma''ale Adumim settlement in the West Bank and Jerusalem, despite American pressure to the contrary, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced Thursday. Olmert also said that if he is elected prime minister in elections later this month, Israel will set down permanent borders within four years, annexing 20% of the Palestinian West Bank and surrounding the rest in a set of enclaves behind 20-foot concrete walls and electrified fences.... Also on Thursday, highly confidential documents from the Ministry of Justice dating from the early 1990s, copies of which were sent to the ministers of defense, justice and housing as well as the attorney general, confirm the existence of a vast network of ties between Likud and Labor governments, and land dealers and settlers'' associations, for the purpose of acquiring land in the West Bank.

Israel to build controversial settlements near Jerusalem
Xinhua 3/9/2006
JERUSALEM, March 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Thursday that Israel would continue to build settlements in a disputed area near Jerusalem despite U.S. pressure if his Kadima party won the March 28 general elections. "It is inconceivable that we should speak of Ma''aleh Adumim as a part of the state of Israel while leaving it as an island or an isolated enclave," said Olmert, cited by local newspaper Ha''aretz. Olmert said for several times that Israel would retain the major West Bank Jewish settlements, like Ariel, Gush Etzion and Ma''aleh Adumim. "It''s entirely clear that the (territorial) continuity between Jerusalem and Ma''aleh Adumim will be a built-up continuity. This is clear both to the Palestinians and to the Americans. In my view, there is an absolute consensus in Israel on this issue," he said.

Diplomacy..

EXPECTANT: Palestinians wait outside a polling station in the West Bank town of Jericho during Thursday's municipal elections. Hamas battled Fatah for voter support. MUHAMMED MUHEISEN/AP

Quartet warns Hamas over funding
BBC 3/30/2006
International mediators have told the new Hamas-led Palestinian government that it must recognise Israel if it wants to be guaranteed continued aid. The Quartet of the US, the EU, Russia and the UN said aid would "inevitably" be affected as long as Hamas failed to renounce violence. Hamas won elections in January, and its new cabinet was sworn in on Wednesday. After the ceremony, Canada became the first country to freeze funding and end contact with the administration. The US and European countries have demanded that Hamas soften its hardline agenda, but the militant movement says recognising Israel would mean accepting the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.

US ''open'' to Israel borders plan
BBC 3/30/2006
The US secretary of state has said Washington may be open to backing Israel''s Kadima party in drawing the country''s borders unilaterally. Condoleezza Rice said a negotiated deal with the Palestinians was preferable, but seemed unlikely since the militant group Hamas won Palestinian elections. But she added that there had been no chance to discuss the Israeli proposal. It is the first time the US appears to have dropped its insistence that the conflict must be solved bilaterally. Ms Rice was speaking to reporters travelling with her to Berlin for talks about Iran''s nuclear programme.... Ms Rice pointedly did not rule out supporting Kadima''s plan for withdrawing from parts of the occupied West Bank by 2010 but consolidating other Jewish settlements there.

Video - Olmert: We need to evacuate Jews
YNet News 3/29/2006
Video, photos -- Elections winner Olmert visits Western Wall before delivering victory speech; Kadima leader vows to bring peace, stresses need to renew negotiations, but tells PA leader Abbas: We won''t wait forever -- Acting Prime Minister and Kadima leader Ehud Olmert turned to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas early Wednesday and called for "reconciliation, compromise and peace," but told the PA chairman Israel will not "wait forever. " In order to move forward Israel will need to renounce parts of the Land of Israel and evacuate Jews from their homes, the acting PM said.

Olmert vows to quit settlements beyond separation wall
China View 3/29/2006
JERUSALEM, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, whose centrist Kadima party is tipped to get the most seats in the parliamentary elections, said that Israel would quit all the settlements beyond the separation wall in the West Bank if Kadima won, according to media reports on Tuesday. In an article published by Israel''s leading Yediot Ahronot daily on Tuesday, Olmert wrote, "Israel will determine the route of the security fence and then make sure that no Jewish settlements will be left on the other side of the fence. "In addition, Olmert termed fixing the final borders with the Palestinians as an "obligation" of the Israeli leaders. Olmert''s article was released just as Israel started national elections to choose a new 120-member parliament.

Mubarak: Unilateral moves by Israel won''t achieve peace
Ha''aretz 3/28/2006
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said in an interview to be published on Wednesday that unilateral moves by Israel "won''t achieve peace. "Mubarak, speaking before the apparent election victory of Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert but clearly referring to Olmert''s vision of a unilateral withdrawal in the West Bank by 2010, said peace "needs the agreement of both the Palestinians and the Israelis. "In an interview with Wednesday''s edition of Al-Mussawar magazine, the Egyptian leader said he was waiting for the Israelis to form a new government after Tuesday''s general elections before he contacts them to urge a resumption of the peace process.

Arabs call on Israel to return to Quartet-sponsored negotiations
Ha''aretz 3/28/2006
KHARTOUM - The Arab League summit opened in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Tuesday called on Israel to resume negotiations with the Palestinians under the auspices of the international Quartet. The opening of the summit coincides with Israeli elections expected to return Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to office with a mandate to define Israel''s borders unilaterally. Less than a third of the countries were represented at the summit by their heads of state. Among the notable absentees were President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, the most populous Arab country, and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, the richest member state.

Abbas proposes ''back-channel'' negotiations with Israel
The Daily Star 3/25/2006
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose peacemaking policies were rejected by Hamas after it won elections, said he proposed secret peace talks with Israel and believed a deal could still be reached within a year. However, interim Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called Abbas a failed leader, casting doubt on prospects for negotiations with him once Hamas takes over the government. In an interview with Israel''s Haaretz newspaper published Friday, Abbas said he proposed opening "a back channel of talks" to U.S. officials and former Israeli Premier Shimon Peres. Hamas'' shock election victory appeared to torpedo any hopes of resuming negotiations to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but Abbas said: "I am convinced that within less than a year, we will be able to sign an agreement. "

EU waiting for elections before deciding on Palestinian aid
Ha''aretz 3/25/2006
The European Union is expected to wait until the outcome of next week''s Israeli election and expected formation of a Hamas government, before announcing any new developments on its aid to the Palestinians, officials said Friday. The two-day summit of EU leaders that wrapped up Friday did not deal with the Middle East. Instead it focused on efforts to boost Europe''s economy, improveenergy security and the situation in Belarus. Diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the EU would likely hold more talks - at a lower level - following Tuesday''s elections in Israel. One said the EU leaders wanted to avoid making sensitive statements on the region so close to the Israeli vote - because of that, the officials spoke on condition of anonymity.

Abbas to the Israelis: Give Hamas and Hanieyah the chance
Ma''an News 3/24/2006
Maan- Palestinian President told an Israeli Web Site called for the Israeli Government to give chance to the Hamas Government. Correspondent of the Web Site of the Maariv said that the PA chairman is living hard situation, lawlessness, deteriorating economic situation, and new Hamas Government, in addition to the Arab Summit where Hamas will be sided by side with him and the Israeli elections. Abbas welcomed the correspondent warmly in his office and answered a question about the Israeli elections and said that, any elected Prime Minister will be a partner in the signed agreements with the Palestinians.

Jihad denies receiving money for waging attacks in Israel
China View 3/22/2006
GAZA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- A senior leader of the Islamic Jihad(Holy War) on Wednesday denied reports of his movement receiving 1. 8 million U.S. dollars to carry out bombing attacks in Israel. Zeyad al-Nakhala said in a press release that the alleged reports, which were uttered by Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, were a preliminary move for an expanded offensive against the movement and its leaders before an upcoming Israeli elections scheduled on March 28. He denied what Mofaz had claimed that the Islamic Jihad had received 1. 8 million dollars aid to carry out bombing operations, asserting that his movement does not get orders from anyone and its decisions come from its leaders inside the Palestinian territories.

New York bans Hamas aid
YNet News 3/22/2006
State Assembly rules residents don''t want to help Hamas-led Palestinian government -- In a rare move, the New York State Assembly on Tuesday unanimously decided that New York State residents will not help the Hamas-led Palestinian government, Israel''s leading newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, reported on Wednesday. The Assembly’s 150 members said they view with “contempt” Hamas’ victory in the legislative elections “without being asked to denounce terror and recognize Israel’s right to exist,” and noted that since 2000 Hamas was responsible for 425 terror attacks in which 377 people were killed. “We support and stand by Israel, in declaring the closest friendship,” legislatures said.

Russian and Chinese presidents issue statement urging Palestine-Israel peace talks
International Middle East Media Center 3/22/2006
A joint declaration, signed Tuesday during a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to China, urged Israel and Palestine to return to the negotiating table for peace talks. Since the Hamas party won Palestinian legislative elections in January, Israeli leaders have issued threats and ultimatums, as well as taking unilateral actions in the West Bank and Gaza, killing over 50 Palestinians in air strikes and invasions, and accelerating settlement expansion and Annexation Wall construction in the Palestinian West Bank. In the joint Russian-Chinese statement, the leadership of the two countries declared, "The parties support an early resumption of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiating process, ultimately leading to the formation of a sovereign, democratic and viable Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel in peace and security. "

U.S.: Not sure Quartet needs envoy after Wolfensohn''s term ends
Ha''aretz 3/18/2006
The United States on Wednesday said that it was unsure whether Middle East Quartet of peace brokers would need an envoy once the term of its current representative James Wolfensohn ends in April. For more commentary on Wolfensohn, click here for Rosner''s Blog. The comments came after Wolfensohn said earlier in the day that he was considering resignation on the grounds that his mandate and backing were still unclear weeks after Hamas'' victory in the Palestinian parliamentary elections. State Department spokesman Adam Ereli refused to predict if Wolfensohn''s role would exist come May.

British relations with Palestinians at breaking point
The Independent 3/15/2006
Even before the dramatic events at Jericho prison in the West Bank, Britain''s support for the Palestinian Authority had been strained by Gaza''s gradual descent into chaos before the Palestinian elections and by the election of the extremist Hamas. Kidnappings - including the abduction of the British aid worker Kate Burton and her parents in December - blood feuds and violence linked to the non-payment of wages meant the number of international staff remaining in Gaza had declined to only a few dozen in the past year. European Union monitors manning an international checkEuropean Union monitors manning an international checkpoint in Gaza following the withdrawal of Israel from Gaza last year have fled their posts on at least one occasion. Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, told MPs last night in an emergency statement that the Foreign Office was warning against all travel to Gaza and the West Bank.

Fatah Faces US Cutoff if it Joins Hamas Government
Palestine Chronicle 3/14/2006
Strict US restrictions on contacts and assistance to Hamas would apply to Fatah and other parties if they joined a Hamas-led government. -- JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Bush administration intends to curtail contacts with President Mahmoud Abbas''s Fatah faction if it joins a Palestinian government led by the Islamic militant group Hamas, Western diplomatic sources said on Monday. The warning came as Fatah officials held another round of inconclusive coalition talks in Gaza with Hamas, which defeated the long-dominant Fatah movement in January elections. Fatah has so far said it has no intention of joining the new government unless Hamas, whose charter calls for Israel''s destruction, changes its political programme.

Hamas platform calls for continued ''armed resistance''
Ha''aretz 3/13/2006
Armed resistance is a legal right and method of achieving Palestinian rights, Hamas announced yesterday in its proposed platform for the next Palestinian government. Hamas has been charged with forming the government after its landslide victory in the January parliamentary elections. The main issue of the platform, which Hamas premier-designate Ismael Haniyeh submitted to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Friday, is to end Israeli occupation and establish a sovereign, independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Envoy: Quartet must revise my mandate
Ha''aretz 3/12/2006
James Wolfensohn, the Quartet''s special envoy on the disengagement, has announced that he will be stepping down in April and closing his office unless his mandate is revised. Wolfensohn''s mission expires at the end of this month, but he agreed to stay on another few weeks in order to prevent any jolts right before the Israeli elections. Until now, he has engaged primarily in issues related to Israel''s pullout from the Gaza Strip. Wolfensohn, who arrived in the region on Thursday, apprised Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas of his decision, as well as the heads of the security establishment in Israel.

Report: Abbas told Peres of opposition to unilateral steps
Ha''aretz 3/14/2006
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas clarified his opposition to unilateral measures during a recent meeting with Shimon Peres, Israel Radio reported Tuesday. Following a report by Channel 2 television, the Prime Minister''s Office confirmed Monday that the two had met in secret the day before in the Jordanian capital of Amman. Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last week outlined his plan for further unilateral withdrawals in the West Bank, following last year''s disengagement from the Gaza Strip and parts of the northern West Bank. Veteran politician Peres holds the No. 2 slot on Kadima''s list of candidates in the upcoming Knesset elections.

Mubarak: EU must not cut PA aid
AlJazeera 3/13/2006
Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president, says cutting aid to the Palestinian Authority will encourage terrorism. Speaking after a meeting in Vienna with Heinz Fischer, the Austrian president, Mubarak said: "The aid is used by the man-in-the-street to buy medicine and to send his children to school. If this money is cut, terrorism will grow and all the [Palestinian] people will suffer. "Austria is the current chair of the European Union (EU). The 25 EU countries had an informal foreign ministers meeting in Salzburg on Friday. They said aid could be cut to the Palestinian Authority if the Hamas organisation, which won Palestinian elections in January, did not give up violence and recognise Israel''s right to exist according to the road map for Middle East peace talks.

Saudi Arabia will continue to support Palestinians, says Hamas
International Middle East Media Center 3/14/2006
Leaders of the Islamic Resistance Movement in Palestine, Hamas, said that Saudi Arabia promised this weekend to remain one of the biggest financial backers of the Palestinians, despite US and European threats to cut aid. Izzat al-Rashiq, a member of Hamas, said: "They [the Saudis] affirmed that political and financial aid to the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian people would continue. "We did not go into numbers, but they promised excellent support. " He was speaking on Saturday after the delegation met Prince Saud al-Faisal, the country''s foreign minister, on Friday night. Hamas leaders are in Saudi Arabia, the world''s biggest oil exporter and birthplace of Islam, on a tour of Arab and other countries seeking support after their victory in parliamentary elections in January. state.

Az''zam Al Ahmad called for the EU to support Palestinians
Ma''an News 3/13/2006
Ramallah – Maan- Fatah Head in the Palestinian Legislative Council Mr. Az''zam Al Ahmad called for the EU representatives in Ramallah to continue the European support to the PA on both political and economic levels. In a statement issued Al Ahmad said that Palestinian people choice in the PLC elections should be respected. [end]

Hamas attacks Israel border plan
BBC 3/10/2006
A senior Hamas leader has described as a declaration of war an Israeli plan to set new borders unilaterally by annexing Palestinian land. The militant group''s political leader in exile, Khaled Meshaal, told the AFP news agency the plan was intended to meet only Israel''s security needs. Mr Meshaal said the plan would not bring about peace. Acting Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said he planned to set permanent borders for Israel within four years. But he said he would give Hamas time to reform, disarm and embrace past interim peace agreements before pursuing a unilateral solution. Hamas, which won elections in January, is in the process of forming the next Palestinian administration.

World Bank: PA must undertake reforms
YNet News 3/8/2006
Organization announces USD 42 million grant to Palestinian Authority; Bank’s Director for West Bank and Gaza says, ‘it remains a critical priority for the PA to undertake comprehensive reforms to bring down the deficit to sustainable levels’ --The World Bank announced a USD 42 million grant to the Palestinian Authority, which was plunged into a financial crisis by a drop in revenues after the Islamic terrorist group Hamas won Palestinian parliament elections in January. A World Bank statement said the money was to help the authority meet immediate financing needs and to "avoid suspension of vital basic services to the Palestinian population. "

Olmert threatens to impose permanent borders unless Hamas changes policies
The Daily Star 3/9/2006
Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he planned to impose permanent Israeli borders by 2010 through pullouts from parts of the occupied West Bank, unless Hamas recognized the Jewish state and abandons armed resistance. In one of two interviews published by Israeli media on Thursday ahead of March 28 elections that his Kadima party is expected to win, Olmert said the separation wall Israel is building in the West Bank would largely follow the final borders. In a separate interview with the Jerusalem Post, Olmert said within the next four years he intended to "get to Israel''s permanent borders, whereby we will completely separate from the majority of the Palestinian population and preserve a large and stable Jewish majority in Israel.

Abbas tells Italian paper he ''hopes Olmert wins''
Ha''aretz 3/9/2006
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) was quoted in an Italian newspaper yesterday as endorsing Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the elections, but later said he had been misquoted. Responding to a question about the March 28 elections, Abbas was quoted in an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera as saying: "We''ll respect the will of the Israeli people," adding, "I hope Olmert wins. ""I know him well. I believe that with him we could work in a productive way," Abbas was quoted as saying. However, a senior aide to Abbas said, "He said he doesn''t interfere in Israeli elections.

Foreign Ministry official visits Jordan in wake of diplomatic crisis
Ha''aretz 3/10/2006
Foreign Ministry Director General Ron Prosor visited Jordan on Thursday, two weeks after a diplomatic crisis sparked by comments from a senior Israel Defense Forces officer. GOC Central Command Yair Naveh had predicted that in the wake of Hamas'' victory in the Palestinian parliamentary elections, the Hasehemite kingdom would be toppled by an "Islamic axis. "The comments caused Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to make a personal call to Jordan''s King Abdullah II to apologize. Olmert told the king that Naveh''s comments did not reflect Israel''s official position.

EU: Israel should release payments to PA
YNetNews 3/6/2006
EU official says Israel should transfer custom duties to PA, claims funds ''actually Palestinian money''Reuters Israel should release customs duties of 60 million euros (USD 72 million) per month to the Palestinian Authority''s interim government, the European Union''s head of external relations said in an interview on Monday. "It would be important that the Israelis are paying out what is actually Palestinian money - the customs duties," the European Commission''s Benita Ferrero-Waldner said in an interview with Austria''s daily newspaper Der Standard. Israel has decided to stop handing over the customs revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority following the victory in parliamentary elections of Islamist group Hamas, which is committed to the destruction of the Jewish state.

Palestinian leadership: New Israeli ''disengagement plan'' a ruse
International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2006
A newly-announced ''Disengagement Plan'' by the ruling Israeli Kadima party is in fact a ruse, designed to distract the international community away from the fact that Israel is taking over nearly one-quarter of the Palestinian West Bank, and surrounding the rest with a Wall, say Palestinian leaders. With Israeli elections right around the corner, some analysts have surmised that the Kadima party''s announcement of ''unilateral disengagement'' is a publicity stunt to garner support for the Kadima party, a party perceived by the Israeli public as being "weak" on terrorism since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon fell into a coma last month. Since the Hamas party won the majority of seats in Palestinian legislative elections on January 25th, Israeli authorities have pressured the party to adhere to the ''roadmap'' peace plan and recognize Israel.

Hamas admits it must ''change its manners''
Daily Star 3/6/2006
Hamas admitted Sunday it had to "change its manners" after winning Palestinian elections but showed no sign of compromise with Israel as it wrapped up a landmark trip to Russia, as acting Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert said, if elected, he would implement another unilateral withdrawal. In a speech Sunday by satellite to a Washington conference of AIPAC, the pro-Israel U.S. lobby, Olmert said Israel would not wait for an agreement to determine its borders. Israel "will take the initiative if we will find that the Palestinians are not ready, are not prepared, or not mature enough to be able to make the necessary adjustments within themselves in order to be ready for this challenge," he said.

Assad: Hamas win decreases int''l pressure on Damascus
Ha''aretz 3/6/2006
DAMASCUS - Syrian President Bashar Assad said that Hamas'' victory in January''s Palestinian legislative elections has "decreased pressures on Syria," as it had brought about a shift in Western political perceptions. In a speech at the 4th General Conference of Arab Parties late on Saturday, Assad said, "I believe that Hamas'' victory has decreased pressures, and will decrease pressures, on Syria. ""At least, what is being said now in the Western political discourse is that Hamas won elections... They no longer say the terrorist Hamas," Assad said.

Hamas Meets Scholars, Businessmen on Key Russia Visit
Palestine Chronicle 3/5/2006
Israel described Putin''s invitation to Hamas as a ''knife in the back'', although Europeans have signaled the talks could be useful in breaking the impasse. -- MOSCOW - Hamas leaders met religious and business leaders in Moscow Saturday, March 4, on the second day of their landmark first visit to a major world power following the movement''s landslide victory in Palestinian elections. Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal kicked off his talks with a meeting with Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, the head of the Russian Council of Muftis, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP). Gainutdin said Russian Muslims wanted to see progress in the Middle East peace process.

Hamas leader: non-recognition of Israel ''is decided''
The Guardian 3/3/2006
Hamas today entered talks with Russian officials insisting it was not about to bow to pressure from the international community and recognise Israel. The exiled Hamas leader, Khaled Mashaal, hit hopes that the Moscow talks could persuade Hamas to soften its stance when he said non-recognition was a "decided issue". The US and EU - both large contributors to the Palestinian budget - say the Hamas-led government must recognise Israel if it is to continue to receive international aid. Russia''s invitation to Hamas is the group''s highest profile foreign engagement since it swept Fatah out of power in the January legislative elections.

Clash Seen Over Hard Line on Islamists
Forward 3/3/2006
Groups Worried Europe, America Will Soften Stance -- WASHINGTON — Alarmed over the victory of Hamas in Palestinian elections in January, a group of the nation''s largest Jewish organizations put aside their frequent disagreements this week and came together in a strong, unanimous call for the international community to isolate the Palestinian Authority once Hamas takes over. Even as they closed ranks around the hawkish position, however, community leaders were voicing fears that they could be headed for a clash with Europe, moderate Arab states and possibly the Bush administration, which are seen as likely to soften their stance toward Hamas in the months ahead.

President Abbas Arrives to Jordan, Meets King Abdullah II
International Press Center 3/2/2006
GAZA, March 2, 2006 (IPC + Agencies) - - President Mahmoud Abbas met last night with the Jordanian Prime Minister Dr. Maarouf Al Bakhit after arriving from the Qatari capital city Doha, where he held talks with the Pirnce of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa, and called the foreign ministers of Libya and Syria and discussed with them issues of mutual interest. During the talks, President Abbas and the Jordanian PM discussed relations between both countries and means to further promote and develop them, as well as the latest development in the Palestinian territories in light of the results of the recent legislative elections.

Moscow offers Hamas talks chance
BBC 3/3/2006
Russia is due to hold talks in Moscow with a senior level delegation from the Palestinian militant group Hamas. It is the first time that a member of the so-called quartet of Middle East peace negotiators will sit down for formal discussions with Hamas. President Vladimir Putin invited the group to Monday''s meeting after its surprise victory in January''s Palestinian elections. But the diplomatic offensive is a controversial one. Recognition for Israel: While the rest of the Middle East Quartet - the US, UN and EU - grapples over the imminent prospect of a Palestinian government run by Hamas, Russia has broken ranks to open a dialogue with the group.

Moscow and Pretoria welcome Hamas
AlJazeera 3/3/2006
US efforts to isolate Hamas has been dealt a double blow, with South Africa saying it will meet Hamas leaders and the Palestinian resistance group set to make an official visit to Russia. Hamas embarks on a quest for international legitimacy on Friday with an official visit to Russia, marking its first talks with a major power involved in Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking. But while it deals a blow to US-led efforts to isolate Hamas since it swept Palestinian elections in late January, Russia''s mediation is seen by some in the West as a chance to talk the movement into renouncing violence and recognising Israel.

South Africa gov''t confirms it invited Hamas for talks
Ha''aretz 3/3/2006
A Hamas spokesman said Thursday that the militant group has been invited to South Africa for talks with officials. No timetable has been set for the visit, spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said. The South African Foreign Ministry in Johannesburg confirmed the invitation to Hamas officials. The invitation dealt yet another blow to Israel''s efforts to isolate Hamas, which has refused to renounce its violent anti-Israel campaign since sweeping Palestinian elections on January 25. "We would be concerned that giving legitimacy to an unreformed Hamas could stifle the possibility that the movement will transform itself from a terrorist organization to a political party," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said

Hamas heads to Moscow in bid for legitimacy
YNetNews 3/3/2006
Organization embarks on quest for international legitimacy on Friday with official visit to Russia, marking Islamic terror group''s first talks with major power involved in Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking; Hamas spokesman says ''visit declaration of failure of pressures exerted by U.S. on world to besiege Hamas''Reuters Hamas embarks on a quest for international legitimacy on Friday with an official visit to Russia, marking the Islamic terror group''s first talks with a major power involved in Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking. Although it deals a blow to U.S. -led efforts to isolate Hamas since it swept Palestinian elections in January, Russia''s mediation is seen by some in the West as a chance to talk the faction into renouncing violence and recognizing Israel.

Human Rights..

On January 9, 2005 Palestinians living in the occupied territories will elect a president of the Palestinian Authority and new members of the Palestinian Legislative Council in the second general elections in nearly eight years. (Helga Tawil photo)

Al Mezan demands ratification of the 2006 PNA budget and the protection of citizens’ rights.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights 3/28/2006
The PNA ministries and institutions are facing great difficulties in functioning, resulting in regular suspension of public services which affects thousands of people. This is due to the delay by the cabinet in submitting the budget draft law to the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) before the beginning of fiscal year in January 2006, as stated in article A/3 of law 7 of 1998 concerning the organization of the general budget and financial affairs. The crisis became increasingly complicated due to the second legislative elections, where the minister of Finance resigned in order to run for elections.

Border Police enter home And beat Palestinians and 75 year old Australian volunteer
International Solidarity Movement 3/27/2006
Living in the settlement building just up the road a few hundred yards from the violent episode described below is Baruch Marzel, extreme right winger, well known for his hatred of Arabs and support for transferring all Palestinians to Jordan. His wife and son are among the worst for attacking the Palestinian inhabitants of Tel Rumeida. He is standing as a candidate in Tuesday’s Israeli electionsOn Sunday 26th March, 25 soldiers and Border Police entered a Palestinian home And beat two Palestinians and 75 year old international volunteer for no apparent reason. My first evening in Al Khalil/Hebron. I have just poured myself a cup of tea and Mary is telling me about the situation here.

Amnesty International Calls On Israel to End Settlement, stop Construction of Wall
International Middle East Media Center 3/18/2006
International human rights organization Amnesty International called on Israel to cease the expansion of settlements and the construction of the Annexation Wall in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in a letter sent to all Israeli candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Amnesty International saidin the letter,"These practices are regarded as a violation of human and international laws, and settlements and the Wall are against international law and a violation of Palestinians'' basic human rights. "Amnesty International called for candidates in the Israeli elections to widen the election debate to encompass economic and social rights issues such as the need to improve greater access to health, work and education for Israel''s most marginalized communities, including Israeli Arabs and migrants who continue to suffer from discriminatory policies and practices.

Israel Blocks Civil Society Conference
Palestine Monitor 3/16/2006
Thursday morning, March 16, the Palestinian NGO Network convened for a conference entitled, "The implications of the Palestinian PLC Elections on the Palestinian Political Setting: Towards a Comprehensive Plan to Save Jerusalem. " The conference was to take place in East Jerusalem''s Ambassador Hotel, bringing together representatives from Palestinian civil society and the new Palestinian legislative Council to discuss the changing political, social, and economic situation in the occupied territories. Before the conference could begin, however, Israeli forces shut it down.... [and]... Israeli forces arrested five participants...

UN OCHA: Humanitarian Update January 2006 (PDF)
Palestine Monitor 3/14/2006
Special Focus: Emerging humanitarian risks -- UN agencies(1) recently undertook an analysis of the humanitarian situation in the oPt. This update reports their findings. 1. IMMEDIATE TRENDS - Since the Palestinian elections in particular, there has been a sharp deterioration in humanitarian situation due to Israel’s tightening of security procedures. The Karni crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip – the main crossing for commercial and humanitarian supplies in and out of Gaza – closed for 21 days between 15 January and 5 February resulting in an estimated loss of $10. 5 million. (2)The IDF stated that it closed Karni crossing because of security threats and concerns over the spread of avian flu. On 26 February, it was announced that all Gaza Strip flour mills would close as wheat grain stocks are depleted following the closure of Karni crossing.

Israeli Court accuses PPP secretary general of attacking soldiers in J''lem
Palestine News Network/IMEMC 3/3/2006
The Palestinian People Party (PPP) announced on Friday that an Israeli court in Jerusalem accused Bassam Salhi, secretary general of the leftist PPP, of attacking Israeli soldiers and illegally crossing a military checkpoint in Dahiat Al Bareed area in Jerusalem during the presidential elections.. January 2005.... Salhi, who was elected for the Palestinian Legislative Council(PLC) this year, is also charged with “inciting against the Israeli government”. A statement release by the PPP revealed that the Israeli court will hold its hearing session against Salhi on March 6 which is the date of the first PLC session in Ramallah and Gaza. The legislators in Ramallah and Gaza PLC headquarters will hold their session through the video conference system as a result of the Israeli restrictions on movement. -- See also: AlJazeera, 12/11/2004 - Palestinian poll candidate released

People..

Yossi Beillin and Yasser Abed Rabbo, leaders of the so-called Geneva Accord

Arabs Gloomy About Israel''s Post-election Unilateralism
Palestine Chronicle 3/28/2006
No less than 31 parties are battling for seats in the legislature, although only half of them are expected to enter parliament. -- KHARTOUM - Arab governments believe that whichever party wins the Israeli general elections, slated for Tuesday, March 28, will only take more unilateral steps to retain control over occupied Palestinian territories. "We can''t speculate about the result of the elections but the political programs (of Israeli parties) are clear and most of them are not conducive to reaching a real peace," Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser al-Kidwa told Reuters on Monday, March 26. Over five million Israelis will cast their ballot on Tuesday to elect members of the 120-seat parliament. No less than 31 parties are battling for seats in the legislature, although only half of them are expected to enter parliament.

Ordinary Palestinians Expect No Changes
The Guardian 3/29/2006
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Israeli elections Tuesday promised fateful implications for the Palestinians'' aspiration for a future state, but the Palestinians are likely to be watching developments unfold from the sidelines. Ehud Olmert''s Kadima Party was headed to victory, and the acting prime minister - who appeared set to take the job for a full term - said he was ready for new peace talks and was prepared to make painful compromises, such as uprooting some Jewish settlements in the West Bank and allowing Palestinians to have a state. But he demanded that the Palestinians be willing to compromise in return.

Palestinians unmoved by Israeli elections, say all parties are right-wing
Ha''aretz 3/22/2006
Palestinians are showing a marked indifference to Israel''s general election, saying there is no real difference between the main contenders. "In previous elections we were very interested because the difference was between the right and the left. But today, to a large extent, there is no difference. All are rightists," said Nabil Sha''ath, a former Palestinian negotiator and cabinet minister. Palestinians see almost a consensus among the three main parties (Kadima, Labor and Likud) over the building of the separation fence in the West Bank. The three top parties have also voiced support for retaining large Jewish settlement blocs in the West Bank, a move which the Palestinians say will deny them a viable state.

Stitching together Israeli identities
By Lisa Goldman, The Guardian 3/17/2006
This is the second of a series of blog posts from Israelis with different perspectives on the forthcoming elections. Lisa Goldman is an Israeli freelance journalist based in Tel Aviv. She also writes about the Israeli blogosphere for Global Voices Online and blogs at On the Face. -- The polls say Kadima will win the Israeli national elections on March 28, but my friends Dmitri and Fayrouz will be casting their votes elsewhere. Fayrouz Shaqrawi, 24, is a Palestinian Israeli from the Galilee; she works for Ma''an, a Palestinian news website based in Bethlehem, studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and blogs on the Land of Sad Oranges. Dmitri Doubov, 31, immigrated to Israel from his native Tashkent in 1994. He is the foreign news editor for Israel''s Russian-language television station, Channel 9, and is studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.... See also: First post in this series

International..

Arabs heed Obama’s call for change
Alaa Bayoumi, Al Jazeera 2/4/2008
If it were not for Barack Obama, many Arabs would not even bother to follow the results of the US presidential race on Super Tuesday. Such gloomy views could be attributed to Arabs’ negative attitudes toward governments and politics in general. Arabs have been living under authoritarian governments, many of them US allies, for decades. And the US’s traditional support for Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land, coupled with the war on Iraq, has meant Arab mistrust of the US has dipped to new lows in recent years. Against this backdrop, it is easy to see why many Arabs will not be following the latest news from the US presidential primary elections. ’Offensive’ rhetoric Many do not see any serious differences between the Republican and Democratic candidates who are taking part in the race.

Ahmadinejad battles on the home front
Khody Akhavi, Asia Times 2/5/2008
WASHINGTON - Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has garnered headlines around the world for his defiance of Washington, as well as his rhetorical grandstanding on Palestinian issues, Israel and his government’s alleged support of Shi’ite militias in Iraq. Still, it appears that Iran’s parliamentary elections in March will be determined less by debates over the country’s foreign policy than by rising criticism of incompetence and economic mismanagement of conservatives and hardliners in the legislature and in Ahmadinejad’s office." Ahmadinejad is in trouble, not only because his economic policies have not worked; he has managed to antagonize almost the entire Iranian elite because of his exclusivist management style," said Farideh Farhi, an independent researcher on Iran and political scientist at the University of Hawaii.

IRAN: Ahmadinejad Caught Between Reformists and Hardliners
Khody Akhavi, Inter Press Service 1/28/2008
WASHINGTON, Jan 28(IPS) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has garnered headlines around the world for his defiance of Washington, as well as his rhetorical grandstanding on Palestinian issues, the existence of Israel, and his government’s alleged support of Shiite militias in Iraq. Still, it appears that Iran’s upcoming parliamentary elections in March will be determined less by debates over the country’s foreign policy than by rising criticism of incompetence and economic mismanagement of conservatives and hardliners in the legislature and in the office of the president. "Ahmadinejad is in trouble, not only because his economic policies have not worked; he has managed to antagonise almost the entire Iranian elite because of his exclusivist management style," said Farideh Farhi, an independent researcher on Iran and political scientist at the University of Hawaii.

Mideast press urges action on Gaza
BBC Online 6/14/2007
The Palestinian press makes an urgent appeal for action to prevent the violence in Gaza from turning into a full-blown civil war, urging President Abbas to call a state of emergency and ask for intervention from the region’s Arab states. Papers in the wider Middle East blame the violence on Palestinian leaders and demand fresh elections to resolve the power struggle between the Hamas and Fatah factions. In Israel, commentators ponder how the country should react to the Palestinian infighting, with one advocating a total withdrawal of Israeli troops and settlers from the occupied territories. - Palestinian AL-QUDS -- It seems we have reached the point of no return in this infighting and are witnessing the beginnings of civil war.

Lebanon factions resume talks
AlJazeera 3/22/2006
Leaders of Lebanon''s rival factions have resumed talks on the fate of the country''s pro-Syrian president and a UN call for the disarmament of the Hizb Allah group. The talks come amid signs that an agreement remains elusive on the two issues that threaten to destabilise the country. The discussions, which began on 2 March, have focused on a 2004 UN Security Council resolution that calls for disarming Hizb Allah and Palestinian fighters. The resolution also urged new presidential elections. It was passed in September 2004, days before Lebanese legislators extended Emile Lahoud''s term for three years.

Chirac vows ''voice of reason'' on Iran
Daily Star 3/6/2006
French president labels cartoon row a ''clash of ignorance'' -- RIYADH: French President Jacques Chirac said Sunday the West would still reach out to Iran for a deal on its disputed nuclear file, in the first address to the Saudi consultative council by a foreign leader. The president''s wide-ranging speech in Riyadh also covered Lebanon, Syria, the Palestinian elections, reform in the conservative monarchy and the "clash of civilizations" between the West and Islam. "In Iran, the voice of reason that France, the United Kingdom and Germany wanted to be heard on the nuclear file has not been heard, for the time being," Chirac told the appointed advisory council, an all-male body of 150 members.

Palestinian Americans Push Religious Pluralism in P.A.
Forward 2/17/2006
WASHINGTON — Palestinian American activists are vowing to lobby Hamas against turning the West Bank and Gaza into an Islamic theocracy. Anxious about the victory of the Islamic fundamentalist group in last month''s Palestinian parliamentary elections, Palestinian American leaders say that they will push for laws favoring American-style church-state separation, pluralism, equality and inclusiveness. "We are at the time when defining decisions may very well be made in Palestine," said Ziad Asali, president of the American Task Force on Palestine. The task force is a prominent pro-Palestinian advocacy group in Washington.

Disagreement With Gaza Disengagement Sours Orthodox on Bush
Forward 6/24/2005
As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders this week, cracks were emerging in the coalition of Jewish conservatives that rallied this past November around the claim that President Bush was "the best friend Israel ever had in Washington." Many influential Republican loyalists and non-Orthodox hawks appear to be remaining firm in their support of Bush. But a growing number of Orthodox activists who were avidly courted by Bush in the 2004 election are feeling distinctly dismayed as the administration embraces Israel''s Gaza disengagement plan and presses for more aid to the Palestinians.

Elections give hope to Palestinian refugees
Daily Star 6/7/2005
BEIRUT: Palestinian refugees living in squalid and overcrowded camps dare to hope the legislative elections will directly improve their lives. "I have been monitoring the elections to see if they will bring change," said Mohammad al-Daoud, 21, outside Beirut''s Chatilla camp where portraits of candidates jostle those of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Some 400,000 Palestinian refugees live in 12 refugee compounds in South Lebanon, where conditions are often harsh and permanent citizenship is denied to all. Fouad Abed, 36, complained that the candidate he was rooting for lost in the first part of the four-stage elections that took place May 29.

El Salvador group opens park in honor of late Palestinian leader Arafat
Ha''aretz 5/25/2005
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - A new plaza on Jerusalem Avenue was inaugurated Wednesday in honor of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, despite criticism from the Israeli Embassy in El Salvador. "We are making a monument to the maximum leader of the struggle for the liberation of Palestine," said one of the promoters, businessman John Nasser, as the square with a large bust of Arafat was inaugurated. Migrants from Palestine flowed to El Salvador for decades in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and several families became prominent in business and politics. Both President Tony Saca and his rival in last year''s election, Schafik Handal, are sons of families that migrated from the Palestinian city of Bethlehem.

AIPAC Losing this Fight
Electronic Intifada 3/7/2005
Press Release, Council for the National Interest -- AIPAC has been taken aback by new Mideast resolutions. Last month the House and the Senate each passed their own resolutions expressing support for the Palestinian Authority in the wake of their successful presidential elections. The Washington Jewish Week reported that many on the Hill feel the Israel lobby was caught asleep on this one. The problem for the lobby was simple: popular support and optimism after the Palestinian presidential elections took the wind out of any possible grounds for raising opposition to the resolutions.

Arabs warmly welcome Abbas election
Middle East Online 1/10/2005
Analysts, officials hail election of Mahmud Abbas as Palestinian leader, pay tribute to strong voter turnout. -- Arabs gave a warm welcome Monday to the election of Mahmud Abbas as Palestinian leader, admiring a successful exercise in Arab democracy and hoping that a strong voter turnout will bolster his position. Analyst Nabil Abdel Fattah of Cairo''s Al Ahram Center of Strategic Studies said the high turnout and the strong result for Mahmud Abbas "gives him the necessary legitimacy for his plans to resolve the conflict" with Israel.

Press Review: ''The hour of truth has arrived''
The Guardian 1/11/2005
Mahmoud Abbas wins but how will events now develop? -- Times, Editorial, January 10 - "After [Sunday''s] election ... there was a palpable feeling that something had changed ... Mahmoud Abbas, the pragmatist favoured by Israel and the outside world ... won a triumphant victory ... to succeed the late ... Yasser Arafat as president of the Palestinian Authority ...

Economy..

Head of UNRWA says PA at risk of anarchy, humanitarian crisis
Ha''aretz 3/22/2006
BRUSSELS - The head of the UN relief agency in the Palestinian territories warned of the risk of a humanitarian and security crisis on Wednesday and urged European Union countries to give a chance to a new Hamas-led government. Israel froze transfers of tax revenues to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority after Hamas won the Jan. 25 Palestinian election. Karen AbuZayd, commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), said she hoped the situation "will be corrected after the Israeli elections" on March 28. The humanitarian crisis would become serious if salaries were not paid as a result of the Israel action, AbuZayd told Reuters after a three-day visit to Brussels.

Aid ''key'' to Palestinian economy
BBC 3/16/2006
The Palestinian economy faces dire consequences if foreign aid is witheld from the new Hamas-led administration, the World Bank has warned. A reduction in financial support by the US, EU, UN and Russia could trigger a sharp rise in unemployment and send personal incomes plummeting, it said. James Wolfensohn, the Middle East special envoy, has said the Palestinian Authority faces "financial collapse". The EU and US are threatening to cut aid unless Hamas renounces violence. Public servicesPalestinians rely on more than $1bn in foreign aid every year to pay salaries and fund essential public services. This support is in serious doubt following militant group Hamas'' victory in January''s parliamentary elections.