IDF kills several Palestinians planting bombs in Gaza Strip
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003
IDF troops killed several Palestinians Thursday afternoon near the Gaza Strip settlement of Netzarim, who were trying to plant explosive devices in the area, an IDF spokesman said. The number of Palestinians killed is unclear. One of the cell members was arrested.

Palestinian killed in Gaza Strip, Israel arrests at least 20 Palestinians in W. Bank
Al-Bawaba, February 13, 2003
Israeli soldiers shot dead Thursday morning a Palestinian that attacked and opened fire at a military post near the Netzarim settlement, in the Gaza Strip. Another Palestinian was seriously wounded in the incident.

Belgian Supreme Court Paves Way for Sharon and Yaron Trial, Israel Furious
Palestine Media Center, February 13, 2003
HRW: Huge Victory for the Victims of the Sabra and Shatila Massacres -- An Israeli-Belgian crisis has erupted after Belgium's Cour de cassation ruled Wednesday that Israel’s Prime Minister Ariel Sharon could be tried for war crimes under the country's "universal competence" law, but only after he leaves office.

Arafat to Name Palestinian Prime Minister
The Guardian, February 13, 2003
JERUSALEM (AP) - Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat plans to announce during a meeting with European negotiators that he will appoint a prime minister to share his powers, fulfilling a key reform demand, Palestinian officials said Thursday.

Israel clamps down on Bethlehem
BBC, February 13, 2003
Israel has locked down the territories all week -- Israeli troops have stepped up patrols in the West Bank town of Bethlehem after a sniper shot dead an Israeli army officer outside the Church of the Nativity.

Reservists in anti-aircraft units told to be ready for hasty call-up
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003
With a U.S. strike against Iraq looking increasingly imminent, dozens of reservists in the Israel Defense Forces anti-aircraft units received notification in recent days telling them to be prepared for the possibility of an immediate call up for reserve duty.

24 soldiers injured when RPG explodes in Golan Heights military base
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003
Twenty-four IDF soldiers were injured Thursday in a military base in the Golan Heights when an RPG exploded.

Escalating crisis in Hebron 
Alternative Information Center, February 13, 2003 
Hebron is facing an escalating crisis. Civil life has been practically forced to a halt. The events of the past ten days point to a shift in Israeli policy toward this divided city, which has been described by Israeli “security analysts” as a “haven for terrorists.”

Israel gears up for war
BBC, February 13, 2003
Israel has begun emergency preparations ahead of a possible US-led war on Iraq, calling up reservists to operate anti-missile batteries.

Israel criticizes the EU concerning Iraq
Arabic News, February 13, 2003
A high ranking Israeli official said that the contradiction in the European positions concerning the crisis with Iraq has proved that it is not possible to place confidence in the European Union to help in reaching a solution for the conflict with the Palestinians.

No time left for games / By Akiva Eldar
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003
Former U.S. consul general in Jerusalem Phil Wilcox is skeptical of George W. Bush's Axis of Evil theory.

Controversy in EU over probe of funding to PA / By Sharon Sadeh
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003
The announcement to investigate funds transferred by the EU to the PA received mixed responses.

Quartet’s road map remains best path towards Middle East peace, Security Council told
United Nations News, February 13, 2003
13 February – The best path towards achieving a comprehensive regional peace in the Middle East remains moving forward with the road map of the diplomatic Quartet, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today.

Harsh Iraqi Reaction Expected
Washington Post, February 12, 2003
Invasion Would Spark Attacks on Israel, Kurds, U.S. Sites -- Faced with a U.S. invasion of Iraq, President Saddam Hussein would likely launch missile and terrorist attacks against Israel and U.S. facilities abroad, preemptive strikes against the Kurds in the north, and a "scorched-earth strategy" in Iraq "significant enough to stop a military advance," the Defense Department's top intelligence official said yesterday.

Belgian Ruling Key Precedent for Human Rights
Human Rights Watch, February 13, 2003
(New York, February 13, 2003) The Belgian Supreme Court decision permitting an inquiry into the 1982 massacre of civilians in the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatilla is a landmark step for international law, Human Rights Watch said today.

Shocking AP distortions of Belgium court ruling
Palestine Media Watch, February 12, 2003
PMWATCH - February 12, 2003 -- No other story has illustrated the timidity of [t]he US press towards coveraing Israeli crimes as has their reluctance to cover dequately the war crimes lawsuits that were brought against Ariel Sharon back in June 2001.

A-G: Belgian court decision is 'delusional'
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003
Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein vehemently attacked Thursday the Belgian court verdict on prosecuting Israelis for their involvement in the Sabra and Chatila massacres in Beirut during the 1982 Lebanon war, and called it "a delusional legal proceeding."

Israel recalls envoy following Belgian court ruling on Sharon
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003
Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday recalled Israel's ambassador to Belgium, Yehudi Kinar, after the Belgian Supreme Court ruled that Defense Ministry director-general Amos Yaron could be prosecuted for his involvement in the Sabra and Chatila massacres in 1982 in Beirut, when he was commander of the IDF forces in the Lebanese capital at the time.

Diplomatic crisis between Belgium and Israel after court ruling in Sharon case
Al-Bawaba, February 13, 2003
Israel Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled Israel's ambassador from Brussels for "consultations" in response to a "scandalous" ruling by Belgium's supreme appeals court Wednesday that a genocide lawsuit against Ariel Sharon could go ahead once he no longer enjoyed immunity as prime minister.

Belgian move against Sharon angers Israel
BBC, February 13, 2003
Israel has reacted angrily to a ruling by Belgium's Supreme Court which could pave the way for the prosecution of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for war crimes.

Belgium asserts right to try Sharon
The Guardian, February 13, 2003
Israeli prime minister can be tried for genocide in Belgium once he has left office, the Belgian appeal court ruled last night.

Analysis / For Israel, the issue is political, not legal
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003
Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not wait for the Belgian Supreme Court's ruling; two weeks ago he already held a discussion on Israel's reaction should the court rule that Israelis can be tried as war criminals in Belgium.

Palestinian sources: Arafat accepts 'roadmap', to appoint prime minister for PA
Jerusalem Post, February 13, 2003
Palestinian sources on Thursday said that in a missive he sent British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat said he accepted US President George W. Bush's 'roadmap' plan for Palestinian statehood, including the acceptance of the demand to appoint a prime minister to the PA.

Israel Calls Up Air Defense Reservists
Reuters, February 13, 2003
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel called up some air defense reservists on Thursday to train and prepare for the possibility of a missile attack by Iraq and urged citizens to stockpile food and water.

Arafat Agrees to Call to Appoint Prime Minister
Reuters, February 13, 2003
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has agreed to appoint a prime minister to run Palestinian affairs under a draft peace "roadmap," officials and diplomats said on Thursday.

Outraged Belgian Jews threaten suit against Arafat
Jerusalem Post, February 13, 2003 
Belgium's Jewish community is "extremely angered" by a Supreme Court ruling that Ariel Sharon can be tried for war crimes in Belgium, according to Betty Dan, head of the Brussels-based Radio Judaica.

Palestinians prepare for Quartet followup meeting Friday
Jerusalem Post, February 13, 2003 
Three Quartet envoys, representing Russia, the European Union, and the United Nations, met with Arafat on Tuesday and are to meet him for a second time on Friday, a diplomatic source said.

Analysis / Israel is convinced nothing will stop Bush
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003
The crisis in European-American relations has not changed the basic assessment of the defense establishment, that there will be an American assault on Iraq.

IDF preparing quietly for war, `to prevent panic' 
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003
The Israel Defense Forces has been gradually raising its level of preparedness in anticipation of an impending American attack on Iraq.

ICRC humanitarian priorities for 2003 in Israel, the occupied and autonomous Palestinian territories 
Alternative Information Center/International Committee of the Red Cross, February 13, 2003 
Humanitarian situation at its worst in 35 years; ICRC action to urge respect for international humanitarian law, to assist the most vulnerable among civilian population, to visit detainees, and to support Palestine Red Crescent and Magen David Adom.

"Soda club protects your environment" - but not theirs 
Alternative Information Center, February 13, 2003 
The plastic bottle recycling bins in Jerusalem are sponsored by a company called Soda Club, which advertises this fact with stickers on the bins reading, "Soda Club protects your environment."..In 1996, the company built a factory in Mishor Adumim, a major Israeli industrial zone in the West Bank east of Jerusalem.

Israel lands administration council requested to cancel leasing discount to discharged soldiers 
Alternative Information Center/Adalah, February 13, 2003 
Last week, Adalah sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Israel, the Attorney General, the Finance Minister and the Israel Lands Administration Council (ILAC), asking that the Council cancel its decision of 22 January 2003. The letter further asked that the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister not approve the decision if it is submitted to them.

Israel to hold crisis budget talks
BBC, February 13, 2003
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will consider budget cuts -- Israel's prime minister will consider emergency budget plans on Thursday to tackle the country's worsening economic crisis.

ISESCO urges action to end blockade on palestinian educational institutes
Arabic News, February 13, 2003
The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO, a Rabat-based body of the Organization of the Islamic Conference), urged the ministers of education of member states to pool their efforts to undertake urgent measures to end the blockade imposed on the Palestinian educational institutions and to guarantee the Palestinian people's right to education.

Shinui, NRP leaders meet at home of Jerusalem Mayor Olmert
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003
The chairman of the secular Shinui party, Yosef Lapid, and National Religious Party chairman Effi Eitam met Thursday at the home of Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert to discuss coalition matters.

Mitzna to meet with Lapid tonight to discuss joining forces in the opposition 
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003
Labor Party Chairman Amram Mitzna will meet this evening with Yosef (Tommy) Lapid, the head of the Shinui party, for the second time since the elections. Sources in Shinui said they hoped this heralded Mitzna's readiness to begin negotiations, together with Shinui.

Labour softens towards Likud-led coalition
The Guardian, February 13, 2003
Israel's Labour party leader, Amram Mitzna, has softened his stance towards joining Ariel Sharon in a national unity government.

Rightist National Union reports progress in coalition talks with Likud
Jerusalem Post, February 13, 2003
The seven-member National Union Party reported progress in coalition talks today with the Likud, and spokesmen were quoted saying they could be the first to reach agreement to join the next government.

NIS slides against dollar after Klein says gov't could lose control
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003
The shekel sharply weakened against the dollar and was traded at NIS 4.92 after closing at NIS 4.894 Thursday afternoon, following a biting speech made by Bank of Israel Governor David Klein at the Ma'ariv conference on banking.

Industry Ministry fears EU expansion could hurt export
Globes, February 13, 2003
The Manufacturers Association disagrees, saying exports to new EU members will grow by $4.2 billion in a decade.

Exports to Arab countries fell 6% to $106.4m in 2002
Globes, February 13, 2003 
Israel Export Institute: Imports rose 10% to $69.4 million. Exports to Arab countries through third countries amounted to another $10 million.

Kassam rocket aimed at Efrat turns out to be 'mock' weapon
Jerusalem Post, February 13, 2003 
A Kassam missile and launcher that sent Israelis in Efrat running to their shelters today, turns out to have been a mock weapon.

Tanks back in Bethlehem after sniper kills soldier
The Independent, February 13, 2003
Israel sent tanks into Bethlehem for the first time in more than six months yesterday after a soldier was killed near the Church of the Nativity. The city was placed under curfew and closed to journalists for several hours.

Likud offers to rescind Large Family Law, but refuses to budge on Tal Law
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003
The Likud team holding talks with potential coalition partners yesterday told the Shinui delegation that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had agreed to gradually annul the Large Families Law in the next Knesset, but would not be willing to rescind the Tal Law, which grants legal status to the exemption of yeshiva students from military service.

Olmert's resignation could pave way for first ultra-Orthodox mayor of Jerusalem
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003 
The stage is set for Ehud Olmert to announce that he is stepping down as Jerusalem mayor.

Army kills 3 Palestinians in Gaza Strip
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003 
Three Palestinians armed with hand grenades and knives - apparently on their way to carrying out an attack against a settlement - were killed by Israel Defense Forces early yesterday morning in the northern Gaza Strip. The three were intercepted near the settlement of Dugit.

U.S. Jews to begin dialogue with Asian Islamic leaders
Ha'aretz, February 13, 2003  
American Jewish leaders are to meet today in Kazakhstan with local leaders and other top officials from neighboring central Asian republics.

British paper says columnist's attack on Israel 'regrettable'
Jerusalem Post, February 13, 2003 
LONDON - The London Evening Standard has apologized to readers who, it says, were "rightly offended" by a vitriolic attack on Israel contained in the regular column of British author A. N. Wilson.

Human Rights Watch’s backgrounder on the Belgian law - Acrobat format
Human Rights Watch

HRW information on the Sabra and Shatilla massacres
Human Rights Watch

Belgium: War-Crimes Move Supported
Human Rights Watch, January 22, 2003
Today's vote by the Justice Commission of the Belgian Senate should give an important impetus to the international prosecution of the worst human rights crimes, six leading human rights organizations said today. The Commission approved amendments to preserve Belgium's landmark anti-atrocity law.

US warns Syria on Weapons of Mass Destruction; support for Hizbullah
Al-Bawaba, February 13, 2003
United States Secretary of State Colin Powell on Wednesday said that Syria's help in the global war on terrorism would not absolve Damascus from American criticism for its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and support for Hizbullah.

Majority of Syrian parliament candidates - from younger generation
Al-Bawaba, February 13, 2003
Most of Syria's Parliament candidates for the next term are from the younger generation with high-ranked educational degrees in a wide-range of fields such as trade and industry.

CIA chief expects key test to Iranian political system within next several weeks
Al-Bawaba, February 13, 2003
The Iranian regime is secure but "increasingly fragile," and Washington is closely monitoring a looming showdown between Iran's reformers and conservatives over the direction of political change, CIA Director George Tenet said.