Israel
Kills 2 Palestinian Farmers, Starts Forming New Cabinet
Islam Online, February 3, 2003
GAZA CITY, February 3 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - As Israeli
President Moshe Katsav Monday, February 3, kicked off talks on
the formation of a new governing coalition after hawkish Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon’s big poll win, two Palestinian farmers
were killed by Israeli tank fire in the southern Gaza Strip.
Israel
razes 22 Palestinian buildings in Hebron
Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions, February 2, 2003
The Israel Defense Force's Civil Administration yesterday demolished
22 Palestinian buildings in the Hebron area. The official reason
given was "standard enforcement of building rules," but the operation
is likely part of the IDF's ongoing retaliation campaign in Hebron,
which has been under curfew for four days now.
Israeli
tanks shell children's football game
Palestinian Information Center, February 3, 2003
Occupied Jerusalem - Islam a six year old boy from Tel El-Zaatar
in Jabalia refugee camp was on his grandmother's roof, watching
the neighbourhood children playing street football, on a
beautiful sunny day (at least that's how it seemed for a short
while).
IDF
fires outlawed Flachette shells in Gaza
Ha'aretz, February 3, 2003
Palestinian sources report that Israel Defense Forces tanks stationed
close to the Jabalya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip fired a number
of outlawed Flachette shells Friday evening at a soccer field
in the eastern section of the camp.
70
Palestinian Detainees Injured in Israeli Prison Riots
Islam Online, February 3, 2003
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, February 2 (IslamOnline & News Agencies)
– Suffering from poor and rough living conditions and treatment,
the Palestinian detainees in the Ketziot military detention camp
in Israel's southern Negev desert had to revolt against the camp
authorities in a show of protest, but occupation forces responded
with the usual repressive use of force.
'Force
17' agents force Palestinian families out of their homes in Gaza
Jerusalem Post, February 3, 2003
Force 17, Yasser Arafat’s Presidential Guard, has forced
55 Palestinian families out of their homes in the Gaza Strip under
the pretext that they are sitting on land whose ownership is at
the center of a legal dispute between two wealthy businessmen.
Israeli
soldiers raid UPMRC medical centre
Palestine Monitor, February 3, 2003
At 2.00 this morning, approximately 25 Israeli soldiers broke
into a medical center of the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief
Committees (UPMRC) in the Old City of Nablus. They proceeded to
rampage through the center for the next three hours, destroying
vital materials and medical equipment.
St
Philip's Church and Ahli Arab Hospital sustains direct hit by
guided missile
Anglican Communion News Service, January 26, 2003
Consensus was that this was a precisely targeted attack, how could
it be otherwise? Apache helicopters had not only fired the missile,
they had returned to film the results of their attack. These were
shown on early morning Israeli television. -- [Episcopal Diocese
of Jerusalem] There is broken glass everywhere; on the floors,
covering the tables, covering papers, on beds. The Christian leaders
of Gaza have gathered to offer their support and condemn the bombing
of St. Philip's Episcopal Church, located within the Ahli Arab
Hospital compound.
Mitzna
tells Sharon that Labor won't join unity government
Ha'aretz, February 3, 2003
Labor Party Chairman Amram Mitzna told Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
on Monday that his party would not join a national unity government
and said afterward that the prime minister is "glued" to the same
positions that have led the country for the last two years.
Labor
Party: Sharon rejected giving up a single settlement
Jerusalem Post, February 3, 2003
At their meeting today Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told Labor
Party leader Amram Mitzna he would not remove a single settlement
in the Gaza Strip, and under such conditions Labor cannot join
a governmnent, Labor's secretary-general Ofir Pines-Paz said.
Mubarak
invites Sharon for talks at Sharm el-Sheikh
Ha'aretz, February 3, 2003
CAIRO - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who has avoided meeting
with the Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for more than two years,
was quoted Monday as saying it was time he deal differently with
Ariel Sharon and has invited him to Egypt's Red Sea resort of
Sharm el-Sheikh.
Representatives
of Palestinian factions say they reject Egyptian proposal for
unconditional cease-fire
Al-Bawaba, February 2, 2003
Some Palestinian factions are expected to convey on February 4,
2003 their response to the Egyptian proposal to stops their attacks
inside Israel. This proposal was presented to the Palestinians,
after the meeting held recently in Cairo.
Palestinian
Sentenced for al-Qaida Study
The Guardian, February 3, 2003
EREZ, Gaza Strip (AP) - An Israeli military court sentenced a
Palestinian man to 27 years in jail on Monday for training with
Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network and planning to carry out attacks
against Israelis.
Israel
Resumes Use of Flechette Shell
Middle East Newsline, February 3, 2003
GAZA CITY [MENL] -- Israel's military has been accused of resuming
use of the flechette anti-personnel shell in attacks on Palestinians
in the Gaza Strip.
Hear
Palestine, February 3, 2003
Hear Palestine
NEWS: Khan Younis: Two Residents Killed in Abasan this Afternoon
/ Ramallah: Burqa Village Faces Health Crisis from Closure / Nablus:
Occupation Bulldozers confiscate Land from Yanoun / Jerusalem:
Settlers Attempt to Raid al-Aqsa Mosque FEATURES:
Nablus: Leaving Your Home Could Cost You Staying Out All Night
/ Family of Exiled Kifah and Intisar Al-Ajouri Arrive in Gaza
Strip
Officer's
scruples give Israeli army a morals dilemma
Sydney Morning Herald, February 4, 2003
"Ma'ariv reports that the lieutenant's action a month ago is widely
supported within his own unit.." -- Israel's military intelligence
community is reported to be deeply divided over the dismissal
of a junior officer who refused to target a Palestinian building
on what he said were moral grounds.
Two
Palestinians shot dead in Gaza Strip
ABC, February 3, 20003
Israeli forces have killed two Palestinians in the Gaza Strip
near a border fence with Israel, hospital officials said.
Palestinians
arrested in W. Bank; Israel admits using outlawed tank shells
in Gaza Strip
Al-Bawaba, February 3, 2003
Israeli occupation forces arrested overnight Sunday, two Palestinians
in the West Bank cities of Hebron and Nablus. A Tanzim memeber
was also arrested in Bethlehem.
IDF
court sentences Al Qaida agent to 27 years in prison
Ha'aretz, February 3, 2003
Two Palestinian farmers said killed by IDF tank fire, Roadblocks
in Wadi Ara -- The Gaza Military Court at the Erez checkpoint
on Monday sentenced Nabil Okal, a resident of the Gaza Strip who
trained in camps run by Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, to 27
years in prison. Okal was sent to the territories in 2000 to set
up Al Qaida cells.
Palestinian
prisoners riot at Ketziot
Ha'aretz, February 3, 2003
Hundreds of Palestinian detainees held at Ketziot Prison in the
Negev rioted yesterday afternoon, clashing with IDF troops guarding
the prison.
Israeli
officer tried for sabotaging raid
The Guardian, February 3, 2003
An Israeli military intelligence officer has been court-martialled
for refusing to obey an order he said targeted innocent Palestinians
in retaliation for a suicide bombing, and was therefore illegal.
Palestinian
Christians Speak Out for Justice
Palestine Chronicle, February 3, 2003
(PalestineChronicle.com) - The following is a letter from the
Bishop of the Anglican Diocese in Jerusalem And the Middle East,
regarding the recent bombing of a church and a hospital in Gaza
by the Israeli army.
Health
concern/ill-treatment/detention without charge: Amnesty International
Palestine Monitor, January 28, 2003
Amnesty International is concerned for the well-being of three
Palestinian women who are being detained without charge by the
Israeli army. They are being held in harsh conditions which amount
to ill-treatment. All three women are reportedly in poor health
after going on hunger strike in protest at their detention conditions.
Occupation
Chronicle Events in Palestine, February 3, 2003
Palestine Media Center, February 3, 2003
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) raided Nablus and Hebron cities
in the West Bank and detained at least three citizens. IOF soldiers
also attacked Palestinian detainees, held at the Ansar 3 detention
camp, in the southern Israeli Negev desert. / Palestinian Citizen
Dies in Hebron /
IOF Soldiers Attack Schoolgirls in Hebron / Dozens of Palestinian
Detainees Wounded in Israeli Prison
PNA
Condemns Israel After Demolishing 22 Houses in Hebron
Palestine Media Center, February 3, 2003
IOF Soldiers Attack Palestinian Detainees, Wound Dozens -- The
Palestine National Authority (PNA) condemned Israel over the demolition
of twenty-two houses and farms on Sunday belonging to Palestinians
in the West Bank city of Hebron, which rendered dozens homeless.
Hebron
pogrom continues, army destroys farms, ranches, homes, roads
Palestinian Information Center, February 3, 2003
Occupied Jerusalem - The Israeli occupation army continued to
isolate the southern West Bank town of Hebron, persecuting and
tormenting the town’s 170,000 Palestinians in ways unseen
since the first days of the Palestinian uprising.
Israel
razes 22 Palestinian structures in Hebron
Ha'aretz, February 3, 2003
The Israel Defense Force's Civil Administration yesterday demolished
22 Palestinian buildings in the Hebron area. The official reason
given was "standard enforcement of building rules," but the operation
is likely part of the IDF's ongoing retaliation campaign in Hebron,
which has been under curfew for four days now.
Israel
Demolishes 28 Palestinian Houses in Al-Khalil
Islam Online, February 3, 2003
Al-KHALIL, February 2 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) –
Citing lack of building permits, Israeli occupation forces razed
on Sunday, February 2, 28 houses belonging to Palestinian residents
in the West Bank city of al-Khalil (Hebron).
9
Palestinian homes on West Bank razed
Philadelphia Inquirer, February 3, 2003
HEBRON, West Bank - The Israeli army, citing a lack of building
permits, demolished nine houses belonging to Palestinians in the
West Bank city of Hebron yesterday, leaving dozens homeless.
Israel
“retaliates” for Shuttle disaster by stepping up repression
of Palestinians
Palestinian Information Center, February 3, 2003
Occupied Jerusalem - Israel on Sunday destroyed as many as 35
Palestinian homes in the heart of Hebron, alleging that the homes
posed a security hazard to Jewish settlers in the area.
Israel
razes more than 20 Palestinian houses in Hebron area
Al-Bawaba, February 2, 2003
In Hebron, Israeli occupation troops imposed a curfew on the city
as part of a new military offensive dubbed “hot winter”,
which started early Thursday.
Two
television stations and one radio station closed in Hebron
OneWorld.net/Committee to Protect Journalists, February 3, 2003
New York, January 31, 2003-The Committee to Protect Journalists
(CPJ) is alarmed by Israel's closure of two local television stations
and a radio station in the West Bank town of Hebron during an
incursion into the West Bank.
Nasrallah:
Hizbullah considers new means of fighting
Al-Bawaba, February 3, 2003
Hizbullah will fight and resist any Israeli plan of aggression
against Lebanon, Syria, or the Palestinian people because the
resistance fighters are more ready than ever, the Lebanese party’s
chief said Sunday.
Katsav
Opens Talks on Forming New Israeli Government as Sharon, Mitzna
Meet
Palestine Media Center, February 3, 2003
Israeli President Moshe Katsav on Monday opened talks with representatives
of the new parliament to decide which faction leader would be
best placed to mobilize a majority coalition government, while
the Labor leader Amram Mitzna was meeting the incumbent Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon in Jerusalem for the first time since the
Likud’s landslide victory in last Tuesday’s elections.
Israel's
Sharon, Mitzna Discuss Coalition
The Guardian, February 3, 2003
JERUSALEM (AP) - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Monday told the
leader of the rival Labor Party that the country's two largest
parties must join forces in a broad-based government to face the
Palestinian conflict and economic problems.
Mitzna
aides accuse Sharon of presenting 'more extremist' views than
campaign
Jerusalem Post, February 3, 2003
Labor Party leader Amram Mitzna flatly rejected an appeal from
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today to join his Likud Party in a
unity government.
Israel
remembers astronaut as Sharon capitalises on US links
The Guardian, February 3, 2003
The Israeli government yesterday ordered flags to be flown at
half-mast and a remembrance medal struck in honour of astronaut
Colonel Ilan Ramon, who died in the Columbia disaster. It also
used the tragedy to paint Israel as a democratic western nation
standing firm with the US against the barbarians.
Israel's
Mitzna Spurns Sharon Coalition Appeal
New York Times, February 3, 2003
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon failed
in a meeting with Labour Party chairman Amram Mitzna on Monday
to persuade him to join a broad coalition government which the
right-wing leader hopes to form.
Israel
weeps for its first astronaut
Corpus Christi Caller-Times, February 3, 2003
Ariel Sharon declares Ramon a national hero -- JERUSALEM - At
a high school with a science experiment on the doomed space shuttle
Columbia, tearful students covered desks with flowers and candles.
In a Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declared astronaut
Ilan Ramon a national hero. And across the country, flags flew
at half-staff as the nation mourned its latest loss.
Shinui's
Tommy Lapid says ready to sit with UTJ
Ha'aretz, February 3, 2003
Shinui leader Yosef (Tommy) Lapid, who had ruled out joining a
coalition with the ultra-Orthodox parties during the election
campaign, said Monday he was ready to sit with the ultra-Orthodox
United Torah Judaism, although he said he doubted they would accept
his demands, like the legalization of civil marriage and public
transport on Shabbat.
Sarid:
My mistake was not speaking strongly enough against Arafat
Ha'aretz, February 3, 2003
"I don't think I spoke out strongly enough against Yasser Arafat.
In retrospect that was a mistake that had a severly detrimental
effect on Meretz," MK Yossi Sarid, who resigned last week as chairman
of the party in the wake of its failure in the elections, said
yesterday at a meeting of the Meretz leadership in Tel Aviv.
'Hashem
Mahameed cost us 20,000 votes'
Ha'aretz, February 3, 2003
The United Arab List (UAL), which is backed by the southern wing
of the Islamic Movement, was roundly trounced in the elections.
It lost about half of its electorate: From about 114,000 votes
in the 1999 elections, it went down to 65,000. The faction shrank
from five Knesset members to two.
National
Union: we won't join govt. that supports creation of Palestinian
state
Jerusalem Post, February 3, 2003
The National Union party has just finished its consultations with
President Moshe Katsav about joining a coalition government.
Before
building coalition, Likud plans to draw up 'national emergency
plan'
Jerusalem Post, February 3, 2003
Before formally negotiating formation of a new governing coalition,
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Likud Party will meet with officials
from all Knesset parties, including the Arab factions, to draw
up a "national emergency plan." The plan is to form the
basis of the next coalition's policy guidelines, Likud sources
said today.
Lapid:
Shinui in no rush to join coalition, Labor can still retract
Ha'aretz, February 3, 2003
Shinui leader MK Tommy Lapid continues pressuring Labor leader
Amram Mitzna to retract his promise not to join Sharon's government,
and denies the charge he will use terrorism as an excuse to join
the government without Labor.
Noted
Professor, Advocate Edward Said to Speak on Campus
Daily Californian, February 3, 2003
One of the world's most prominent Palestinian intellectuals and
advocates, Edward Said will speak on campus this month. Said,
a professor at Columbia University, whose visit had been uncertain
because of his failing health, will give a lecture in Zellerbach
Hall Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m.
Average
wage down 6% in Israel
Jerusalem Post, February 3, 2003
Average wages declined by six percent in the last four months
of 2002, government statistics show.
Israeli-Arabs
plan trip to Auschwitz `to learn about Jewish suffering'
Ha'aretz, February 3, 2003
A group of public figures from the Arab sector will hold a press
conference in Jerusalem this morning to announce a trip to the
Auschwitz concentration camp in May with the purpose of learning
the roots of the Jewish pain and fear.
IDF
kills 46 Palestinians, 17 of them non-combatants, in January
Ha'aretz, February 3, 2003
The IDF killed 46 Palestinians in the territories in January compared
to 45 killed in December. Among the dead were 17 non combatants,
including four children under the age of ten, an adult over the
age of 50 and a mentally retarded person.
Richest
families earn 22 times more than the poorest
Ha'aretz, February 3, 2003
Average household income for those in the top 10 percent, at NIS
36,511, was 22.4 times higher than the average in the bottom decile
in 2001, according to figures released yesterday by the Central
Bureau of Statistics for Family Day.
Saudis
plan expat clampdown
BBC, February 3, 2003
Saudi Arabia aims to reduce its expatriate population by more
than half, in an attempt to eradicate the increasing problem of
unemployment among locals.
Mideast
allies take big slice of U.S. aid budget
Reuters AlertNet, February 3, 2003
WASHINGTON, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Washington's allies in the Middle
East can expect about $5.44 billion in U.S. bilateral aid in fiscal
year 2004, slightly down from $5.49 billion in 2003 but still
a hefty portion of the total, acording to the Bush administration's
budget request released on Monday.
Making
Nuclear Bombs 'Usable'
Common Dreams, February 3, 2003
WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon has launched a fast-track program to
develop computers that would help decide when nuclear weapons
might be used to destroy deep underground bunkers harboring weapons
of mass destruction or other critical targets, documents show.
Rights
Group Urges Against Politicking Over New International Court
OneWorld.net, February 2, 2003
MONTREAL, Feb 3 (OW-US) - United States-based human rights advocates
are urging states that begin meeting Tuesday to choose judges
for the fledgling International Criminal Court (ICC) to keep politics
out of the process and elect the best candidates on their individual
merits.
