IDF
launches month-long operation in Hebron
Haaretz, January 31, 2003
The Israel Defense Forces yesterday launched a large-scale operation
in Hebron with combined ground and armored forces carrying out
search missions in an effort to capture wanted militants.
Hamas
militant, Palestinian fire-fighter killed in Jenin
Haaretz, January 31, 2003
Wanted Hamas militant Iyad Mussa and an employee of the Palestinian
fire department, Hassan Ahmed, were killed overnight Thursday
during an exchange of fire with Israel Defense Forces soldiers
in the West Bank city of Jenin.
U.S.
Backs Further Delay in Mideast Peace Plan
Washington Post, January 31, 2003
The Bush administration is prepared to further delay publication
of a Middle East peace plan until after a new Israeli government
is formed, probably six weeks from now, sources said yesterday....But
with war against Iraq increasingly likely in March, many experts
believe that the new timetable is unrealistic and that the administration
would press to delay the plan until after the confrontation with
Iraq were resolved.
IDF
destroys house of terrorist who killed infant Shalhevet Pass
Jerusalem Post, January 31, 2003
The IDF's operation "Hot Winter", aimed at destroying the terrorist
infrastructure in the town of Hebron, continued Friday with the
demolition of two terrorist's houses and the arrest of several
wanted men.
All
Labor MKs - save Peres - refuse to hear unity options
Haaretz, January 31, 2003
A confrontation erupted yesterday between MK Shimon Peres and
other Labor MKs over his proposal that the party should consider
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's offer to join his coalition government.
Powell
to Palestinians: terror won't produce statehood
Jerusalem Post, January 31, 2003
Secretary of State Colin Powell told the Palestinians on Friday
"they cannot get a state by using violence" and that they must
install a new leadership.
Malnutrition
in Gaza 'as bad as Zimbabwe'
Alternative Information Center, January 31, 2003
The Secretary of State for International Development, Clare Short,
spoke at the launch of Christian Aid's hard-hitting report on
Palestinian poverty in the House of Lords on 29 January 2003.
Poverty
overwhelms towns in West Bank
Detroit News, January 31, 2003
Land of opportunity forfeits its promise to Israeli re-occupation
-- DEIR ISTIYA, West Bank -- Fuad Awad rolls his own cigarettes
these days to save the $3 that his two-pack-a-day habit demanded.
With the extra money, he buys a little chicken for his children.
American
magnates finance new Temple Mount campaign
Haaretz, January 31, 2003
Jingles for "Temple Mount - Heart of the Nation" have been broadcast
widely on Israel Radio Reshet Bet and Reshet Gimmel during the
past week. Calling for opening up the Temple Mount and strengthening
the Jewish presence there, the messages were aired despite the
recent prohibition against political or campaign-related broadcasts
on state radio.
ISM:
3 Killed, 10 Injured in Tulkarem
International Solidarity Movement, January 31, 2003
At 3pm yesterday Israeli undercover forces fired into a crowd
of civilians in the area near Khodori Technical College, injuring
9 people, 2 of which were critically wounded.
Water
Wars: ISM Activists in Gaza Strip Protect Water Supply
International Solidarity Movement, January 30, 2003
Last night Israeli forces attacked Rafah's water supply at Tel
el-Sultan destroying with bulldozers the 2 largest of six wells
that supply the town's water. This has resulted in a reduction
of 50% in the town's water supply. Tonight 4 ISM activists (2
Americans,, 1 Briton and 1 Swede) will stand guard around the
4 remaining wells protecting them with their bodies at the request
of the Rafah's Water Municipality Director.
Belgian
Senate Okays Law Interpretation Allowing Trial of Sharon
Islam Online, January 31, 2003
BRUSSELS, January 31 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Reviving
hopes of 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre victims that Israeli
Premier Ariel Sharon could be prosecuted for war crimes, the Belgian
Senate sponsored Friday, January 31, a new interpretation of the
"universal competence" law which was used as a basis for lawsuits
in Belgium against foreign leaders.
Israeli
warplanes in biggest mock raids over Lebanon since 2000 pullout
Middle East Times, January 31, 2003
Israeli warplanes overflew southern Lebanon Friday morning after
staging mock raids over Palestinian refugee camps there the previous
night, prompting the UN representative here to express his concern.
Sharon
aims to advance agreements on June speech plan
Haaretz, January 31, 2003
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon hopes to visit U.S. President George
W. Bush in the next two weeks, and officials in his office - who
have been feeling out the White House about a meeting - are now
awaiting Washington's response.
Israel
refused to let Arafat move to Gaza
Haaretz, January 31, 2003
Israel rejected a request by Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser
Arafat to be allowed to move from his Ramallah headquarters to
his offices in the Gaza Strip.
PNA
investments to be audited by outsiders, says Fayyad
The Jerusalem Times, January 30, 2003
Minister of Finance, Salam Fayyad, and Muhammad Rashid, President
Yasser Arafat economic advisor presented during the World Economic
Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last Friday, the Palestinian National
Authority (PNA) 's financial reforms.
PM
rebuffs rumors he will offer defense portfolio to Labor
Haaretz, January 31, 2003
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Friday afternoon that rumors
he was going to offer Labor the defense portfolio as part of a
deal to lure them into the coalition were false. According to
Sharon, the issue is not open for discussion, since current defense
minister Shaul Mofaz will continue at his post in the 16th Knesset.
Israel
kills two Palestinians in West Bank
Globe and Mail, January 31, 2003
Jerusalem — Israeli troops killed two Palestinians, including
a fugitive Islamic militant, in a gun battle at a West Bank firehouse
Friday. As daily violence continued, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
tried to arrange a meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush
to discuss a peace plan.
Israel
kills two Palestinians in Jenin, leaves destruction in Hebron
Al-Bawaba, January 31, 2003
Early Friday, two Palestinians were killed in clashes with Israeli
soldiers in the West Bank town of Jenin, Palestinians and the
Israeli military said. Two other Palestinians were arrested in
Jenin, and five others were detained elsewhere in the West Bank
in overnight operations.
US
push to delay peace plan release
Sydney Morning Herald, February 1 2003
The Bush Administration wants to further delay publication of
a Middle East peace plan until after a new Israeli government
is formed, probably six weeks from now, as fresh outbreaks of
violence in Israel highlight the urgency of such a plan.
Israeli
jets buzz Lebanon
BBC, January 31, 2003
Fighter jets from Israel's air force have been flying deep into
Lebanese airspace for the second day running.
Sharon
could stand trial in Belgium
Haaretz, January 31, 2003
BRUSSELS - The Belgian Senate ratified two key amendments early
Friday aiming to keep alive a ten-year-old war crimes law under
which international leaders can be indicted. Under the new amendments,
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon could stand trial in a Belgian court
after he retires from Israeli politics.
Indo-Israeli
Cooperation on the Rise
Islam Online, January 31, 2003[
NEW DELHI, January 30 (IslamOnline) — Indo-Israeli cooperation
is deepening and diversifying fast with the Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP), an old pro-Israel party, leading the federal Indian government.
Court
orders Israeli nuclear plant to reveal data
Middle East Times, January 31, 2003
An Israeli court on Monday ordered the management of the country's
only nuclear plant to provide radioactivity data to employees
suffering from cancer and to their families, court sources told
AFP.
Will
Sharon Deliver Peace? Ask Bush, Analysts Say
Reuters, January 31, 2003
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israelis call Ariel Sharon the bulldozer.
Big, tough and driven, he won re-election this week as prime minister
on a vow to protect them. But will he ever lead them to peace?
Israeli analysts and the chief Palestinian negotiator say the
answer rests squarely with Israel's closest ally, the United States,
and the man who sits in the White House -- President Bush.
What
truce?
Al-Ahram Weekly On-line, 30 Jan. - 5 Feb. 2003
Twelve delegations from factions spanning the entire Palestinian
political and military spectrum had all come to town, making the
Egyptian capital the proud host of a "historic" meeting -- "the
first in 20 years" in the words of Egyptian Intelligence Chief
Omar Suleiman.
Supreme
Court Permits Israeli Army to Use Palestinians Civilians as "Assistants"
With Their Consent
Adalah, January 29, 2003
At a hearing held on 21 January 2003, the Supreme Court limited
an injunction currently in place, which prohibits the Israeli
army from using Palestinian civilians in the 1967 Occupied Territories
as human shields. The Court permitted the army to act, pursuant
to a new military order, which allows military commanders to request
the "assistance" of Palestinian civilians.
Le
Soire: Signs of diplomatic crisis between Belgium, Israel
Arabic News, January 31, 2003
The Belgian Le Soire said yesterday that the Belgian ambassador
to Israel decided to end his mission and return home in light
of the Israeli threats against Belgium dues to the determination
of the Belgian Senate to amend the law on the internationality
liability law that would allow prosecution of international criminals.
UN
Security Council can't even get Israel to obey any international
law; violating Lebanon's soverignty
Arabic News, January 31, 2003
The Israeli warplanes yesterday evening carried out mock and provocative
raids in the airspace of south Lebanon, reaching the airspace
of the city of Sidon, at a time when the UN Security Council was
renewing the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, in a decision taken unanimously.
The UN decision coincided with a warning against "the grave Israeli
violations at the border line in South Lebanon."
Palestinian
foreign minister in Malta
The Times of Malta, January 31, 203
Plea for US, Euro action over ME peace process -- The foreign
minister of the Palestinian Authority, Farouk Kaddoumi, yesterday
made an impassioned plea for Europe and the US to turn from talk
to action to solve the Middle East crisis.
Satire
or anti-Semitism: For and against
The Independent, January 31, 2003
On Monday, 'The Independent' published a savage cartoon of Israel's
Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon. It prompted complaints from the
Israeli Embassy, Jewish groups, and some of our readers, who were
offended by the image. Today, we ask the question: was this cartoon
anti-Semitic? and throw the debate open to our Argument channel.
Weekly
Review of the Arab Press in Israel, 21 - 28 January, 2003
Arab Association for Human Rights
More Columnists Write about Elections / Sharon's $1.75 Billion
Negev Elimination Plan / The First 19 Villages on the Unemployment
Scale are Arab
Sharon's
$1.75 Billion Land and Unrecognized Villages Elimination Plan
- Until 2007
Arab Association for Human Rights, January 22, 2003
Sharon's Government will decide fully next week on the new 1.75
billion dollar 5-Year Plan. This plan is a comprehensive strategy
to remove the Bedouin of the Unrecognised Villages from theuir
land and concentrate them into three townships.
Mitzna
and Lapid fail to strike a deal
Haaretz, January 31, 2003
A meeting yesterday between Labor Party Chairman Amram Mitzna
and Shinui Chairman Yosef (Tommy) Lapid ended in failure for both
sides: Mitzna failed to persuade Shinui to join him as part of
a united opposition to the Likud-led government, while Lapid failed
to persuade Labor to join him in a Sharon-led secular unity government
without the ultra-Orthodox.
Sharon's
Israel
Al-Ahram Weekly On-line, 30 Jan. - 5 Feb. 2003
Winning the Israeli elections may turn out to be the easy part
of Ariel Sharon's triumph. He has now to form a government, writes
Graham Usher from Jerusalem -- It was expected but it was still
unprecedented. In the Israeli elections on Tuesday the Likud Party
swept all before them, winning a colossal 37 seats in the 120-
member Knesset in what was a popular endorsement, if not of his
policies, then of the personality, methods and worldview of its
leader and Israel's next prime minister, Ariel Sharon.
'Your
voice is your dignity'
Al-Ahram Weekly On-line, 30 Jan. - 5 Feb. 2003
Only in the final straight of Israel's general election were passion
and drama briefly injected into one of the most lacklustre campaigns
ever among Israel's one million Palestinian citizens. Jonathan
Cook reports from Nazareth.
PM
asks Yisrael b'Aliyah chair Sharansky to join forces
Haaretz, January 31, 2003
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon telephoned Yisrael b'Aliyah Chairman
Natan Sharansky on Thursday, and asked him to consider linking
his party with Likud as part of a special agreement.
Soldiers'
votes shift 2 seats from Hadash, One Nation to the right
Haaretz, January 31, 2003
The final tally of the "double-envelope" votes by soldiers, prisoners,
hospital patients and diplomatic envoys shifted one seat apiece
from One Nation and Hadash to Likud and the National Religious
Party.
Yishai
attacks Lapid for racism
Haaretz, January 31, 2003
Shas Chairman Eli Yishai yesterday sprang to the attack against
Shinui Chairman Yosef Lapid after Lapid said he would join a government
with the ultra-Orthodox in case of a national emergency, such
as a war with Iraq, but in principle would not sit in a government
with Shas.
Settlers
give Likud a plurality, but most go further to the right
Haaretz, January 31, 2003
Voters living beyond the Green Line gave Likud 28.6 percent of
their votes, but most of them - 54 percent - went to the parties
to the right of the Likud: National Union, National Religious
Party, Herut and the two Haredi parties, Shas and United Torah
Judaism.
Sharon
rebuffs Arafat, sends tanks into WB
Arab News, January 31, 2003
TULKARM, West Bank, 31 January 2003 — Israeli soldiers killed
two Palestinians in a major West Bank raid yesterday after Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon rebuffed a post-election olive branch extended
by Yasser Arafat.
Israel
Raids Al-Khalil After Killing Palestinian Youth, Injuring 20
Islam Online, January 31, 2003
Al-KHALIL (HEBRON), West Bank, January 30 (IslamOnline & News
Agencies) - Israeli troops and armored surged into Al-Khalil (Hebron)
early Thursday, January 30, slapping a curfew on the West Bank
city and carrying out house-to-house searches a day after a heavy
machine-gun fire from an Israeli tank killed a Palestinian teenager
in the Jabaliya refugee camp, just north of Gaza City, while 20
more were wounded in Rafah to the south.
Children
and War
Al-Ahram Weekly On-line, 30 Jan. - 5 Feb. 2003
Ahram Weekly joins the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) in the launch of their campaign "Children and War".
Should
PR & media be at loggerheads?
Arab News, January 31, 2003
It quickly became apparent that PR companies felt they were undervalued
by the media, and that the media believed they frequently had
to wade through PR spin in their efforts to uncover the truth.
-- It was public relations companies versus the media in the Middle
East’s first Oxford-style debate held recently before a
packed house at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dubai.
Survey
of Lebanese coasts indicate existence of oil, gas
Arabic News, January 31, 2003
The Lebanese minister of energy and waters, Muhammad Abdul Hameed
Beidoun, on Thursday announced that the Seismic survey carried
out by the British Spectrum company in the Lebanese coast showed
great potentials for oil and gas inside it.
Security
Council extends UN force in southern Lebanon until 31 July
United Nations News, January 30, 2003
30 January – The Security Council today extended the mandate
of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for another
six months, until 31 July.
Bush
proposes antiterror database plan
New York Times/CNET, January 30, 2003
A forthcoming government database will compile information from
all federal agencies and the private sector on people deemed possible
terrorist threats, President Bush said Tuesday evening. Bush used
his State of the Union address to announce the Terrorist Threat
Integration Center (TTIC), a mammoth data-collection project intended
to fuse information collected domestically by police and internationally
by spy agencies.
Feds
Building Internet Monitoring Center
Washington Post, January 31, 2003
The Bush administration is quietly assembling an Internet-wide
monitoring center to detect and respond to attacks on vital information
systems and key e-commerce sites.
