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Vermonters for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel News Archives - March 2007 Select News by subject: Conflict • Diplomacy • Government • Human Rights • Economy • People • International |
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IDF strikes in Gaza for first time since truce YNetNews 3/28/2007 Army attacks target in northern Strip from air, hits Qassam launching cell. Palestinians report civilians hurt in strike, one of them sustaining critical wounds. Military sources say no change in policy, targeted killings will not be resumed -- For the first time since the ceasefire declared in November 2006, the Israel Defense Forces struck a target in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday afternoon. According to the army, the target was a Qassam launching cell comprised of three terrorists, who were apparently hit before launching the rockets toward Israel. Palestinians reported that at least four people were injured in the attack, one of them sustaining critical wounds, and that they were all civilians. Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Wednesday evening, "IDF forces hit the launching cell which was about to fire another missile..." more.. 22 year old armed resistance member shot and bled to death in Jenin Camp Palestine News Network 3/28/2007 Palestinian medical sources reported on Wednesday morning the killing of Iyad Mohammed Abu Ghraib Hashab. The 22 year old was a leader of the Fateh-linked armed resistance wing, Al Aqsa Brigades. Members of the armed resistance fought back this morning when at least 40 Israeli military vehicles stormed Jenin Refugee Camp, including two bulldozers. Al Aqsa and Islamic Jihad’s Saraya Al Quds joined together in defending the camp. Israeli forces are reported as having “opened fire randomly” throughout the northern West Bank refugee camp. They shot Hashab in the heart and left him to bleed for an hour. Israeli forces acted in direct contravention to the Fourth Geneva Convention by not allowing ambulances to reach the injured man or to transfer him to a hospital. [end] Israeli army arrests 37 West Bankers Wednesday at dawn Ma’an News Agency 3/28/2007 West Bank - Israeli sources announced that the Israeli forces arrested 37 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday at dawn. Israeli radio reported that the arrests took place in the West Bank cities of Bethlehem, Jenin and Qalqilya, and most of the arrested are members of the Hamas movement, according to the Israeli sources. Palestinian sources reported that an Israeli force broke into the city of Qalqilya, in the northwest of the occupied West Bank, at dawn and arrested six Palestinian men. After ransacking a number of homes across the city, the Israeli army arrested ’Abed Al-Nasser Al-Rabi, Samir Muhammad ’Athbeh, Sa’id Marwan Thiyab, ’Omar Marwan Thiyab, Sa’id Muhammad J’edi, and Ahmed Hassan Saman, claiming that they are ’wanted’. They were taken to an unknown destination. [end] Eight injured in Gaza clashes, Fateh and Hamas trade accusations International Middle East Media Center 3/28/2007 On Wednesday evening, Fateh and Hamas movements traded accusation of exchanges of fire in two separate incidents in Gaza that caused the injury of eight Palestinians, including a leader of the Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, his wife and his two children. Also, three members of Fateh movement were injured after rounds of live ammunition were fired at them from a speeding vehicle. The three were moved to Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Moreover, five residents were injured when unknown gunmen fired at the vehicle of Eyad Al Shinbary, one of the leaders of the Al Qassam Brigades, in Beit Hanoun in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. The shot were fired at him as he was driving near Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Al Shinbary, his wife and his two children were injured in the attack, two other bystanders were also injured. more.. Gunmen shoot at Hamas militant in Gaza City, wounding 5 people Ha’aretz 3/28/2007 Unidentified gunmen shot at a Hamas militant leader and his family during a car chase through Gaza City on Wednesday, injuring five people, including bystanders and a child, Hamas and hospital officials said. A sports utility vehicle filled with gunman chased the car carrying Abu Salah Shinbari, a Hamas leader from the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun, and his wife and two young children, witnesses said. The gunmen jammed Shinbari’s sedan against a parked car and then riddled it with at least 10 bullets, they said. Shinbari’s wife was seriously injured, his children were moderately injured and he was lightly injured, hospital officials said. A bystander was also injured." We are investigating this serious incident," said Islam Shwhan, a spokesman for the Hamas militia. more.. VIDEO - Homesh evacuation concludes YNetNews 3/28/2007 Security forces succeed in concluding evacuation of destroyed West Bank settlement without injuries or violence -- The evacuation of the 300 right-wing activists from the destroyed settlement of Homesh in the West Bank has concluded Wednesday, roughly three hours after the operation began. Two young teenage girls were arrested in the course of the evacuation on suspicion of assaulting policemen. Large numbers of police and IDF officers started evacuating the activists, mostly teenagers, at about 7:30 a. m. Some of the youths at the place have tried resisting and cursed the policemen, who carried them by force into buses. After having spent two days at the site, the activists were ordered to leave Homesh on Wednesday. Some 700 policemen took part in the operation, alongside 300 soldiers... more.. Israeli police use force to clear occupied settlement ReliefWeb 3/28/2007 HOMESH, West Bank, March 28, 2007 (AFP) - Hundreds of Israeli police armed with batons moved into an abandoned settlement in the West Bank on Wednesday to clear about 300 settlers occupying the site, an AFP photographer said. Helmeted police had to drag out some of the right-wing Jewish settlers who had moved this week into the ruins of Homesh, which had been cleared as part of Israel’s so-called disengagement plan in 2005. The settlers, mostly youths, marched on the hilltop settlement under army protection on Monday vowing to reoccupy Homesh and rebuild homes razed by Israeli troops a year and a half ago. Then prime minister Ariel Sharon evacuated Homesh and three other West Bank settlements as part of the now-defunct plan for a partial withdrawal from the territory Israel has occupied since 1967. more.. Factional violence erupts in Gaza leaving 8 injured Ma’an News Agency 3/28/2007 Gaza - Eight Palestinian citizens were injured on Wednesday afternoon in two separate shooting incidents. The leader of the Hamas-affiliated Izzeddin Al-Qassam Brigades Iyad Shanbari’s car was targeted, injuring his wife, 2 children and a bystander. The latter’s injury was reportedly serious. The Qassam Brigades accused Fatah-affiliated gunmen of attacking Shanbari in an attempt to assassinate the Hamas leader. The Brigades said in a statement that "a group within the Fatah movement ambushed Shanbari and shot at his car." The Brigades depicted the perpetrators as ’collaborators’ and threatened that there will be reprisals to the attack. In a separate incident, 3 Fatah members were shot in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. more.. 7 Qassams fired at western Negev; no injuries YNetNews 3/28/2007 Al-Quds Brigades claim responsibility for attacks, say rockets fired in response to Arab League summit in Riyadh -- Seven Qassam rockets landed Wednesday across the western Negev. No injuries were reported in the attacks. The rockets landed in open fields near Ashkelon and Sderot. One of the Qassams fell near a strategic facility in the Ashkelon industrial area south of the city. The al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad’s military wing, claimed responsibility for the rocket fire. A senior official in the organizationtold Ynet that the Qassam fire was in response to the Arab summit in Riyadh; the organization did not accept the initiative, which does not acknowledge the right of return for Palestinians. Ashkelon’s Deputy Mayor Avi Vaknin told Ynet that several drills were carried out in the region... more.. Air force hits Qassam launchers for first time in five months Ha’aretz 3/29/2007 The air force carried out an attack against Palestinian militants launching Qassam rockets from the Gaza Strip yesterday, the first such offensive mission for a number of months. Military sources said IDF forces identified three Palestinians readying to launch Qassam rockets against Israel, near the northern coast of the Gaza Strip, in the ruins of the evacuated settlement of Dugit. Palestinian sources said there were four people in the area and that two suffered serious injuries, while the others were lightly injured. In the morning hours a group of Islamic Jihad militants fired a rocket from the same site. At least seven rockets were launched against targets in Israel, four striking agricultural areas. The landing sites of the other three rockets have not been determined. As part of the cease-fire with Hamas... more.. Al Aqsa Brigades: the retaliation is underway Ma’an News Agency 3/28/2007 The brigades also announced that ’the groups of the martyr Yasser Arafat’ had launched four homemade projectiles at Sderot on Wednesday at 11. 15am. The Brigades declared, in a statement for Ma’an, that the launching of projectiles at Israeli villages and the continuance of the ’Fedayeen’ operations in all regions of occupied Palestine is a response to the ongoing Israeli massacres in the West Bank including one of the brigades’ members in Jenin. Al-Aqsa brigades threatened to be tough in their retaliation for frequent Israeli assassinations of brigade’s leaders in the West Bank. The military spokesperson of the brigades, Abu Thaer, affirmed that "the assassination of the resistance fighter, 21 year old Iyad Hatoub, in the refugee camp of Jenin, in the northern West Bank this morning, as well as the assassination... more.. Near neighbours worlds apart in West Bank ReliefWeb 3/26/2007 GIVON HA’HADASHA, West Bank, March 26 (Reuters) - A deep trench gouged along the planned route of an Israeli barrier cuts Sabri al-Ghorayeb’s house off from the Palestinian village where his relatives live. His other neighbours are Jewish settlers. For now, he can cross the trench over a narrow plank bridge. But his modest bungalow is also fenced off on three sides from the neat, red-tiled Israeli homes and well-paved roads of the settlement of Givon Ha’hadasha that almost surrounds it. Even more formidable than the physical fences and barriers are the mental walls that divide the Palestinian farmer from the settlers sharing the same small hilltop near Jerusalem. Inevitably, both claim the land as their own. Each side distrusts the other. Neither believes peace is possible." more.. Israeli army kills two Al-Aqsa members in a new Nablus incursion Ma’an News Agency 3/27/2007 Nablus - Two members of the Fatah-affiliated Al-Aqsa Brigades were killed during clashes with Israeli soldiers in the old city of Nablus on Monday night, according to Palestinian medical sources. Clashes also broke out in Qabatia, south of Jenin, between Israeli Special Forces and Palestinian fighters. Sources in Nablus added that Ala’ Ziad, 26, and Muhannad Imraish, 24, who were members of an Al-Aqsa group called ’Knights of the Night’, were killed after bleeding for hours because the medical crew was not able to approach them after they were injured. The sources added that Ziad bled for an hour and a half and that Imraish was hit in the main artery of his leg, causing heavy bleeding. The director of the Palestinian Medical Relief Services, Dr. Ghassan Hamdan, told Ma’an that both men were injured in the clash and left to bleed for hours. more.. Israeli army invades several West Bank areas and abducts seven civilians International Middle East Media Center 3/27/2007 The Israeli army invaded several West Bank cities and towns, searched homes and abducted seven Palestinian civilians on Tuesday morning. Palestinian sources reported that most of these abductions were made in the West Bank cities of Jenin Ramallah and Nablus. In the meantime, in Hebron city in the southern part of the West Bank one man was abducted when troops attacked and searched homes in western side of the city. The man known as Mohamed Abu Najma, 30, a Palestinian Authority Security officer, was taken to unknown detention camp after troops surrounded and searched his house, his family reported, and added that during the house search Israeli troops totally destroyed the family’s belongings and food supplies stored in the house. In Tulkarem city, in the northern part of the West Bank, a Palestinian official was abducted... more.. Police planning to clear Homesh protesters by early Wednesday Ha’aretz 3/27/2007 Police are planning to evacuate by Wednesday morning the former West Bank settlement of Homesh, where several hundred right-wing protesters have set up camp in recent days in an attempt to reinhabit it. Security forces estimate that some 200-500 protesters, mainly youths, plan to stay on the ruins of the former settlement overnight Tuesday. Israel Police and Border Police have assembled their forces to prepare for the evacuation. Police expect protesters to attempt to prevent the evacuation, which is scheduled for early morning. The Israel Defense Forces will not deal directly with the evacuation, but will serve as a security circle from afar in order to block more protesters from arriving and to prevent any attempts to attack Palestinians. Clashes erupted on Tuesday evening between a group of Palestinian youth and right-wing activists... more.. Israeli army to allow hundreds of right-wing settlers to ’visit’ dismantled settlement International Middle East Media Center 3/27/2007 Israeli media reported on Tuesday that Israeli forces have agreed to allow a right-wing settler remain at the site of the late illegal Homesh settlement in the northern West Bank, in order to conduct her son’s Brit Milah (circumcision) ceremony. After she threatened to hold the ceremony at a checkpoint, Israeli forces caved in to Har Melech-Son’s demands, and permitted two bus-loads of friends and relatives to attend- illegal according to the Entrance into Israel Law. The right-wing Israeli organization behind the chaos, Homesh First, says some 1,500 ’activists’ are at the site. However, the Israeli forces say there are several hundred settlers there, mostly teenagers. Updated from: Thousands of right-wing settlers try to re-occupy dismantled illegal settlement in West Bank -- 3/26/07 - IMEMC & Agencies... more.. Hamas prepares ’rocket war’ in ex-settlement YNetNews 3/27/2007 Terrorists use evacuated lands to test weapons targeted at Israel -- Palestinian terrorist groups on Monday used the former Jewish settlement of Neve Dekalim, which was evacuated by Israel in 2005, to test new explosives and rockets for use against the Jewish state, senior members of Hamas’ so-called military wing told WorldNetDaily. The Hamas members said they set up an explosives testing zone in Gush Katif, Gaza’s former slate of Jewish communities evacuated by Israel 17 months ago. They said among the explosives Hamas tested Monday in Neve Dekalim were what they called new "Yassin" rockets, which they said were improved versions of Russian-made rocket propelled grenades. The Hamas members said the rocket was named after late Hamas spiritual leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin, who was assassinated by Israel in 2004. more.. Undercover Israeli Army Unit Sweeps into Khan Younis International Middle East Media Center 3/27/2007 An undercover Israeli army unit swept early on Tuesday morning into the eastern part of Khan Younis, in the sothern region of the Gaza Strip. Palestinian media sources said that the Israeli army unit stormed the area of Faraheen under a barrage of heavy gunfire, causing fear and panic among the local residents. The Faraheen area has been frequently attacked by the Israeli army since last June. [end] Al-Quds Brigades claim to have detonated an explosive near Har Homa settlement Ma’an News Agency 3/27/2007 Bethlehem - The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, have claimed responsibility for detonating an explosive device next to an Israeli military patrol, west of Bethlehem in the south of the occupied West Bank, on Tuesday at noon. The brigades said in a statement for Ma’an that one of the brigades’ groups was able to detonate an explosive device next to an Israeli military patrol that was passing on a road between Rachel’s Tomb and Har Homa settlement (Abu Ghneim Hill) west of the city of Bethlehem in the West Bank. The brigades claim to have hit the Israeli occupation soldiers. [end] Israeli forces launch 2nd incursion on Nablus in a month amid investigation into army conduct Ma’an News Agency 3/17/2007 Nablus - ma’an - Dozens of Israeli military vehicles raided the occupied Palestinian West Bank city of Nablus on Friday evening, invading from the western entrance to the city. Israeli radio reported that the Israeli army launched an incursion in Ein Beit el Ma refugee camp, north of the city. The operation has been launched a day after the Israeli military authority announced that an investigation will be undertaken into reports of the Israeli army using Palestinians as human shields in the previous incursion of Nablus last month. The Israeli human rights organisation B’T Selem has issued a report accusing the Israeli forces of using Palestinians as human shields. Palestinian security sources informed Nablus TV that ten Israeli military vehicles, accompanied by a bulldozer, besieged the camp of Ein Beit el Ma and fierce clashes erupted between armed Palestinian men and the Israeli forces. more.. Threat to Al Aqsa Mosque greater than ever after media and critics swayed by Israeli campaign Palestine News Network 3/17/2007 A prominent Jerusalem cartographer reported Saturday, “The demolition and excavation that began at Moroccans Gate would allow Israelis and extremist Jews free access to the courtyard of Al Aqsa Mosque while it restricts freedom of movement and access to the Palestinians. ” The popular resistance against the ongoing Israeli aggressions at Al Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem’s Old City have slowed down for the time being, while Israeli forces have accelerated the excavations. A new tunnel beneath the walls of the Muslim holy site is near completion, threatening the mosque with collapse. Director of Al Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Farid Yahya, says that Israeli forces worked day and night at an unprecedented pace to dig a tunnel concealed from view. They managed to do so, the Sheikh said Saturday, by going in through a small shop that they bought... more.. 2 gunmen killed in clashes with IDF YNetNews 3/27/2007 IDF confirms gunfight in Nablus; Palestinians report fatalities from al-Aqsa Brigades -- Two operatives from al-Aqsa’s Martyrs Brigades – Fatah’s military wing - were killed Monday night during exchanges of fire with IDF forces in the West Bank town of Nablus, Palestinian sources reported. The IDF confirmed that their forces shot at gunmen in the city, resulting in at least one definite hit. The Palestinians identified the two fatalities as Mohaned Maraish and Alleh al-Raliz. The two were exchanging fire with IDF infantry forces operating in the old city, the sources said. The IDF reported that the two were responsible for shooting attacks and for hurling explosive devices at Israeli forces in the area. Army officials made it clear that the operational activity against wanted Palestinians in the West Bank was continuing as usual... more.. Protected by the army, Israeli settlers return to Homesh settlement in the northern West Bank Ma’an News Agency 3/26/2007 Jenin - Hundreds of Israeli settlers started on Monday to return to the demolished settlement of Homesh, located southwest of Jenin in the north of the occupied Palestinian West Bank. It is expected that at least 5,000 will arrive at the site from the settlements all over the West Bank, according to Israeli media sources. The head of the local council of Silat Adh-Dhahr, Salih Hantouli, told our reporter that the Israeli forces had stepped up their presence in the area and closed the road between Nablus and Jenin, thereby preventing Palestinians from travelling on that road. He added that the Israeli forces had banned Palestinians from using the road because the settlers would travel on it to reach the settlement. He also said that the settlers intend to arrange a festival in the demolished settlement... -- See also: Dr Barghouthi condemns the Israeli settlers' return to Hormesh more.. Israeli settlers kill man in northern West Bank Palestine News Network 3/26/2007 Northern West Bank residents near Nablus feared the worst when 51 year old shepherd, Mohammed Hamdan Ibrahim Masjid, did not come home last night. He had taken his flock out early Sunday, but most of them had returned by the evening and Masjid had not. Settlers from Itimar, illegal as all Israeli settlements are, shot and killed the Araba Village man and left his body on the ground. The local search for Masjid had begun early Sunday evening. Israeli forces discovered his body in the fields and closed off the area, preventing farmers from coming to examine or claim the body of their friend and neighbor. Araba’s Mayor, Bani Jaber, said that due to the placement of the body near an electrified fence where the animals would not have gone, it looked as if Masjid had first been kidnapped, resisted and then been killed. more.. 12 Palestinian civilians abducted as Israeli army invades several parts of West Bank International Middle East Media Center 3/26/2007 The Israeli army invaded several parts of the West Bank and abducted at least 12 civilians, among them one child, on Monday morning. The abductions were focused on the cities of Ramallah in the central West Bank, where three civilians were taken, and Hebron city in the southern West Bank where seven were taken. In Hebron city soldiers attacked and searched residents’ houses located in downtown Hebron and in the old city area. Eyewitnesses stated that soldiers forces all families outside during the search. Seven civilians were taken to unknown detention camps. The Israeli army claimed that during the search, troops found one hunting rifle in one of the searched houses and that they abducted the owner. In the northern part of the West Bank, Israeli troops abducted two shepherd boys while they were herding their sheep... more.. Five residents injured in Hamas-Fateh clashes in Rafah International Middle East Media Center 3/27/2007 Palestinian medical sources at Abu Yousef Al Najjar Hospital in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, reported on Monday at night that five residents were shot and injured during clashes between Hamas and Fateh gunmen. The clashes took place in Tal Al Sultan area in Rafah. The five suffered mild-to-moderate wounds, the Maan news agency reported. Palestinian security sources reported that the clashes started with a family feud that led later on to a limited gunfight between Fateh and Hamas gunmen. Meanwhile, local sources reported that members of the Islamic Jihad and other factions interfered to stop the clashes and restored calm to the area. [end] Two Palestinian youths abducted as Israeli army attacks Jenin University International Middle East Media Center 3/26/2007 A massive Israeli army force invaded the northern West Bank city of Jenin on Monday midday then surrounded the American- Arab University, two Palestinian youths were abducted. Troops besieged the university and started to fire rubber coated metal bullets, tear gas and sound bombs at the students, eyewitnesses reported. Clashes erupted when students from the university responded to the invading troops with stones, no injures were reported. Soldiers left the university premises after some time and abducted two youths, among them Lou’e Bani Odah, who is said to be an activist in the Aqsa brigades, the armed wing of Fatah movement. During the dawn hours the Israeli army invaded several parts of Jenin city and nearby Qabatia, Kufer Ra’ie and Faham villages. Soldiers searched and ransacked scores of residents’ homes... more.. Israeli Army Shells a Palestinian Truck in Eastern Gaza International Middle East Media Center 3/26/2007 Israeli army opened fire at a Palestinian truck while driving in eastern Gaza city, Palestinian media sources and medics said. The sources added that the Israeli armored vehicles, stationed to the east of Gaza city, have fired a bomb shell at the truck, causing some damage. Medics confirmed that no causalities were reported in incident. Dr. Mo’awiya Abu Hasanain, director of the emergency department at the Gaza Shifa hospital said that medical crews combed the area right after the shootout. -- See also: Palestinian resistance fighter dies in southern Gaza Strip more.. Hamas fighter killed during training in the Gaza Strip International Middle East Media Center 3/27/2007 The Al Qassam brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, stated on Monday at night that one of its fighters was killed during training in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. The brigades identified the fighter as Hasan Mohammad Ma’rouf, 36, knownas Abu Ali. In a separate incident, Israeli military sources reported that Palestinian fighters detonated an explosive charge that was placed near the security fence surrounding the Gaza Strip, no injuries were reported. [end] Israeli troops invade a village near Salfit and attack houses International Middle East Media Center 3/26/2007 Israeli forces invaded the village of Qarawit Bani Hassan, west of Salfit city in the northern part of the West Bank, and searched several houses on Monday morning. Troops ransacked families’ belongings and forced the families out of their homes during the search; eyewitnesses reported that soldiers fired sound bombs and live rounds into the searched houses. The army claimed that they were looking for what they call Wanted Palestinians. No abductions were made. [end] Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians, Israeli bus stoned, car bombed in the West Bank Ma’an News Agency 3/26/2007 Jenin - Israeli forces apprehended 4 Palestinians in the northern occupied Palestinian West Bank town of Jenin on Monday afternoon. They were charged with stoning an Israeli military patrol. Israeli radio quoted the army as saying that they have found a pistol with bullets on one of the arrestees. In a separate incident, an Israeli bus was stoned near the town of Huwwara, south of Nablus. A Molotov cocktail was hurled at an Israeli car traveling south of Bethlehem in the southern West Bank. No casualties were reported in both incidents. [end] IDF may re-evict Homesh Wednesday YNetNews 3/26/2007 Hundreds remain in former settlement overnight, vow to rebuild Tuesday morning; security forces instructed to intervene, if rebuilding begins -- After a day of calm between security forces and settlers on Monday, police and soldiers are preparing themselves for the possibility to remove people forcibly from the former West Bank settlement of Homesh, which was evacuated during disengagement 2005. Beginning Monday morning, thousands of right-wing activists arrived in Homesh, in a bid to rebuild the settlement. In an effort to prevent violent clashes, the IDF allowed people to arrive on foot, and even spend the night. Only a few hundreds rightists remained in the former settlement after nightfall Monday night, most of them teens. The army announced it will not allow marchers to rebuild the settlement. more.. MP says conflict with Israel crippled state’s ability to protect environment Daily Star 3/27/2007 BEIRUT: The head of Parliament’s Environment Committee, Democratic Gathering bloc MP Akram Chehayeb, said Monday that "the most dangerous result of last summer’s war with Israel was the hampering of the state’s capacity to set up environmental policies." Speaking during a news conference held at the headquarters of the Order of Engineers and Architects in Bir Hassan, Chehayeb said that most of the state’s administrations could bear difficult conditions "like the ones we are currently witnessing, except the environmental affairs administration." "Damage resulting from hampering the work of the environmental affairs administration will undoubtedly have long-term effects," Chehayeb said.... Abboud said that last summer’s war had inflicted severe damage on animals, exceeding $20 million. more.. Palestinian resistance fighter dies in southern Gaza Strip International Middle East Media Center 3/26/2007 One resistance fighter from the Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, was announced dead on Monday morning in Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip. The Brigades issued a press release stating that Hassan Yousif, 38, a field leader of the Brigades was killed during a resistance operation on Monday. The press release did not include any information about the resistance operation. Later during the day, Israeli tanks stationed near the Karni commercial crossing east of Gaza City shelled a Palestinian civilian truck driving on the main road between the city and the crossing. The truck was completely destroyed, but no injuries were reported. -- See also: Israeli Army Shells a Palestinian Truck in Eastern Gaza more.. An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades fire projectiles at Israeli village creating ’huge explosion’ Ma’an News Agency 3/26/2007 Gaza - The An Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), claimed responsibility on Monday for launching 2 homemade projectiles at the small Israeli village of Nerim, east of the Gaza Strip. The brigades said in a statement that the operation was filmed and a huge explosion was seen. [end] Salah Addin Brigades fire two projectiles at Israeli kibbutz east of southern Gaza Strip Ma’an News Agency 3/26/2007 Bethlehem - The An-Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), announced their responsibility on Monday morning for launching two homemade projectiles at the Israeli kibbutz of Nirim, located east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The brigades assured in a statement for Ma’an that this launching came in retaliation for the screaming of Yusra Rabai’a, who was attacked by an Israeli army dog last week, and in response to the Israeli aggressions towards the Palestinian people. The brigades assured that they will stick to their choice of resistance until the full liberation of the Palestinian lands. [end] Arrow anti-missile system passes test YNetNews 3/26/2007 Test launch meant to examine improvements to interception system ends successfully -- Israel’s Arrow 2 anti-ballistic missile system successfully passed a test-launch meant to examine the interceptor’s engineering data following new improvements. The system did not have a target to hit in this experiment. The defense establishment reported that the test, carried out at Palmahim base on Monday, went as predicted. A senior defense establishment source said that the interceptor in its new form was now 20 percent more cost-effective. "The interceptor is cheaper, but beyond that, improvements have been installed in it in several different areas related to sensors and electronics, which are meant to ensure that the system has all the needed features to deal with future threats," said the source. more.. Gaza Violence Continues Despite Unity Government MIFTAH 3/24/2007 Over the past 72 hours, five people have been killed in the Gaza Strip as a result of renewed infighting between the two rival movements, Hamas and Fateh despite the formation of the new national unity government announced last week. The clashes, which flared up on Wednesday in the Strip, have claimed several lives, including two-year-old Hasan Abul Nada, who was killed while inside his home. According to media sources, armed confrontations were taking place in the vicinity of Abul Nada’s home, particularly around the home of Samih Al Madhoun, an Aqsa Martyrs Brigade leader, the armed wing of Fateh. Along with the child, Al Madhoun’s bodyguard, Rami Srour, was also shot and killed and eight others injured. A third person, reportedly a Fateh loyalist, was also said to have been killed during the fighting. more.. Water supply still scarce in Lenbanon south Middle East Online 3/24/2007 Water shortage problem increased after Israeli bombardment of water tanks, springs, pipelines. -- KHIYAM, Lebanon - Water supply to hundreds of thousands of people across southern Lebanon remains the priority development issue, say officials, seven months after Israel’s bombardment of the area severely damaged an already inadequate water and sanitation system. The UN Children’s Agency, UNICEF, is implementing a series of projects across Lebanon to improve water supply, through its Water, Environment, Sanitation and Hygiene (WESH) unit. According to WESH figures, only 56 percent of Lebanese are connected to the mains water supply, which in poorer rural areas sometimes only works one day a week. Nearly one in three Lebanese buy drinking water while average leakages of 50 percent from pipes... more.. Hamas fighter killed, nine injured in internal clashes in Gaza International Middle East Media Center 3/14/2007 Palestinian medical sources in the Gaza Strip reported on Tuesday at night that a Hamas fighter was killed and nine others were injured during internal clashes that took place in Gaza City. Dr. Jom’a Al Saqqa, head of the Al Shifa hospital in Gaza reported that Ala’ Al Haddad, 35, was killed after he was hit by several rounds of live ammunition. Al Saqqa added that four members of the Executive Force, formed by Hamas, were injured after shots were fired at them as they were patrolling Asqoula area, in Gaza City. Two of them are in serious conditions. Also, five Palestinian residents were injured during further clashes that took place in Gaza. Meanwhile, Abu Obeida, media spokesperson of the Al Qassam brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, accused “suspicious gunmen” of executing Al Haddad and injuring several members of the brigades. more.. Israeli settlers attack Palestinian workers in the old city of Hebron International Middle East Media Center 3/13/2007 A group of right wing Israeli setters attacked a number of Palestinian workers in the old city area of Hebron city, in the southern West Bank on Tuesday at midday. The Palestinian workers were renovating one of the historical old Palestinian houses located near the Israeli illegal settlement of Ibraheem Abino, in the old city, when the attack took place. The workers stated the setters attacked them with stones and batons but reported no serious injures, and added that Israeli troops were in the area but did not intervene. The house that is being renovated is a historical house that belongs to Yousif Al Sharabati. Settlers tried to take the house by force several years ago but couldn’t, so they demolished parts of it. The reconstructing committee in the city of Hebron was the sponsor of the rebuilding and renovation of the house. [end] Israeli army abducts three civilians from Hebron city International Middle East Media Center 3/13/2007 Israeli troops abducted three Palestinian civilians from the southern West Bank city of Hebron on Tuesday midday. Israeli troops abducted three Palestinian civilians from the southern West Bank city of Hebron on Tuesday midday. Soldiers attacked and searched residents’ homes located in Khilit Al Magharbi neighborhood in the western side of the city, then took three men to unknown locations, among those abducted was Mustafa Al Qawasmi, aged 38, eyewitnesses reported. [end] Israeli army abducts one civilian near Ramallah International Middle East Media Center 3/13/2007 The Israeli army abducted one Palestinian civilian at a military checkpoint near the central West Bank city of Ramallah on Tuesday afternoon. Sami Hussen, 41, from the village of Surda near Ramallah was stopped at a mobile Israeli army checkpoint as he was leaving the city of Ramallah to travel to his village. Eyewitnesses reported that soldiers took Hussen’s laptop and cell phone, then handcuffed him and took him away." The Israeli army abducted one Palestinian civilian at a military checkpoint near the central West Bank city of Ramallah on Tuesday afternoon. Sami Hussen, 41, from the village of Surda near Ramallah was stopped at a mobile Israeli army checkpoint as he was leaving the city of Ramallah to travel to his village. Eyewitnesses reported that soldiers took Hussen’s laptop and cell phone, then handcuffed him and took him away. [end] One dead and several injured as clashes erupt anew in Gaza City Ma’an News Agency 3/13/2007 Gaza - One Gazan citizen was killed and 9 injured in crossfire in Gaza City on Tuesday evening. Palestinian medical sources announced the death of Alaa’ Al-Haddad aged 35, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen. Al-Haddad is one of the Izzeddin Al-Qassam Brigades leaders in the city. Izzeddin Al-Qassam Brigades are the militant wing of the Hamas movement. The director of Ash-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Dr Jum’ah As-Saqa, said that 4 members of the Hamas-affiliated Executive Force were injured at the Asqula crossroads. One was seriously injured and the others moderately injured. In a separate incident, the director of ambulance services in the Palestinian ministry of health, Dr Mu’awiya Hasanein, affirmed that at least 7 Gazans were injured. more.. Palestinians: IDF kills militant near West Bank city of Jenin Ha’aretz 3/12/2007 Israel Defense Forces troops killed a Palestinian militant in the West Bank on Monday during a clash with gunmen, a Palestinian security official said. The official said three Palestinian gunmen were involved in the exchange with an Israeli patrol near the village of Al-Zababteh, south of the West Bank city of Jenin. The Israeli military said in a statement Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a force operating in the area and it returned fire. The statement said none of the troops were wounded. Shin Bet: 3 Hamas men arrested in Feb. for bid to snatch IsraelisIt was not immediately clear to which militant group the gunmen belonged. The Shin Bet security service Monday announced the arrest of three Hamas militants in early February over repeated attempts to kidnap Israeli citizens. more.. Israeli army attacks a school and injures three children near Hebron International Middle East Media Center 3/12/2007 Israeli forces invaded a Palestinian elementary school in the village of Ithnah, west of Hebron in the southern West Bank on Monday midday. Soldiers shot sound and tear gas bombs at the children, clashes erupted when children tried to stop heavily armored soldiers with small stones. During the clashes three students were injured when soldiers chased a group of small school girls and attacked them with batons, among those there were Worod Al Timizi, 8 yeas old, medical sources reported. The medical sources added that the Palestinian medical teams treated scores of gas inhalation cases. Local sources reported that one small boy was abducted by the Israeli soldiers during the clashes but did not report his name. [end] Hebron man shot in the back, left on the ground for half hour Palestine News Network 3/12/2007 A young Palestinian man was seriously injured in the West Bank on Monday. Israeli forces shot Mohammad Wardeh in the back while he was visiting Abu Dis, a suburb of Jerusalem. Palestinian security sources in Hebron City’s Joint Chamber of Operations reported that after Israeli soldiers shot Wardeh, they left him on the ground for half an hour. He is currently in Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital. The resident of Hebron’s Dahariya Village had friends in Abu Dis, a town that hosts a branch of Al Quds University along the West Bank route between Bethlehem and Ramallah. As reported in an additional Hebron security brief, Israeli forces arrested two Palestinians from Dura Village on Monday. During the early morning hours soldiers broke into several houses in the southwestern town. more.. Senior Hamas militant killed in clashes with Fatah in Gaza Strip Ha’aretz 3/11/2007 A senior Hamas militant was killed Sunday in fighting with members of the rival Fatah movement in the northern Gaza Strip, marking the first fatality in such clashes since the two sides agreed a month ago to form a unity government. Explosions from mortar bombs and rocket-propelled grenades shook the town of Beit Hanun in the early hours after a shootout for which each side blamed the other. The fighting died down by morning at the urging of Hamas and Fatah leaders. Seven Palestinians were wounded, including at least one Hamas gunman and two from Fatah, local residents and doctors said. The violence broke out just hours after Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said a unity government would be announced in the next few days.... more.. Palestinian National Security Officer Abducted in Northern Gaza International Middle East Media Center 3/12/2007 Palestinian security sources reported Monday that members of the Qassam brigades, the military wing of Hamas, jointly with other members of the executive force, abducted Jamil Alzenati, an officer of the Palestinian national security forces and Ahmad Rezeq, a soldier of the same forces. The sources said that the abduction took place near the post of the first battalion of the national security forces in the northern Gaza Strip, and that the abducted were taken to an unknown destination. Meanwhile, unknown gunmen shelled early on Monday the house of a Fatah leader in the northern Gaza Strip city of Beit Hanoun. Palestinian security sources confirmed that mortar shells have been fired at the house, while no causalities are reported. more.. Palestinians: IDF fire wounds two fishermen near Rafah shore Ha’aretz 3/11/2007 According to Palestinian reports, two fishermen from Gaza were wounded Sunday morning from Israel Defense Forces fire near the Rafah shore. According to IDF sources, Saturday night three small Palestinian motor boats were seen approaching the Egyptian shore and joining an Egyptian boat. Sunday morning, the army said, the boats tried to return to the Gaza Strip, and a navy boat fired warning shots to stop them from approaching. What the boats did not stop, the navy boat began firing at the boats directly and wounded two Palestinians. Despite the fire, the boats were able to make it to shore, and IDF sources said the boats probably smuggled something into Gaza. Gaza sources told the Ma’an news agency that the two wounded Palestinians are Gaza residents. more.. Israeli army injures a Palestinian civilian from Hebron International Middle East Media Center 3/12/2007 A Palestinian civilian from the village of Al Thahria near the southern West Bank city of Hebron was shot by the Israeli army in the city of Jerusalem late on Sunday night. Mohamed Al Waridat, 22, was shot with a live round in the back in Abu Dies village near Jerusalem city. Israeli soldiers who shot him did not allow medical teams to get to the man for more than half an hour, then eventually allowed an Israeli ambulance to take him to and Israeli hospital, eyewitnesses reported. Medical sources reported that the man sustained critical wounds. On Monday morning the Israeli army invaded several parts of Hebron city and nearby villages. Troops searched and ransacked residents’ houses then abducted Mohamed Amro, 23, and Mohamed Kamil, 45, from the village of Al Thahria. Halhol and Yatta villages near the city were also attacked... more.. Sewer of Ariel settlement destroys natural sceneries in Salfit International Middle East Media Center 3/12/2007 Ariel settlement, one of the biggest settlement blocs in the occupied West Bank, dumps its sewer in the valleys of of Salfit district, in the northern part of the West Bank, destroying its natural sceneries and parks used by the residents. These areas because totally abandoned as a result of the bad smell and pollution caused by the reckless dumping of sewer by Ariel Israeli settlement. Resident Othman Mohammad, one of hundreds of local farmers, stated that the residents used to visit Al Matwy area in holidays and feasts, but now the whole area, including an area where a natural spring is located became totally deserted. “These areas became filled with bad smell, and became polluted”, Mohammad stated, “The sewer of Ariel settlement is flooding the area and destroying it”. more.. Extremist Israeli settlers plan to reenter and rebuild evacuated Hermesh settlement Ma’an News Agency 3/12/2007 Bethlehem - The electronic website of the Israeli newspaper, Maariv, stated on Monday that five extremist Israeli settler organisations are finalising a new plan to rebuild the evacuated settlement of Hermesh in the northern occupied Palestinian West Bank. The settlement was evacuated as part of the Israeli unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank. The website reported that the settlers organisations have specified the Easter holiday period for reoccupying the settlement, following completion of ongoing preparations in the preceding weeks. The group comprises of settlers who were evacuated from Hermesh and Sa-Nur. The Israeli military have not withdrawn from these two settlements and have not handed them over to the Palestinian authorities. [end] Israeli army abducts at least 21 Palestinian civilians from Jenin district International Middle East Media Center 3/12/2007 Israeli forces invaded several areas in the Jenin district in the northern part of the West Bank and abducted at least 21 Palestinian civilians. 20 civilians were abducted from the village of Al Zababdah, south of Jenin city; local sources reported that an Israeli army force invaded the village at around 2 am on Monday morning and conducted a wide scale search campaign in the village. Soldiers fired live rounds and sound bombs during the invasion, no injuries were reported. The sources added that Israeli troops targeted mostly students of the Arab American University, which is located near the village. Since the university is near the village the majority of the students rent rooms in the village.... In the meantime, another Israeli force invaded the city of Jenin and searched a number of residents houses located in the city center... more.. Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinian policemen in Hebron Ma’an News Agency 3/12/2007 Hebron - On Monday morning two Palestinian police vehicles and a motorcycle were stopped at an Israeli checkpoint on the Halhul Bridge, north of Hebron, in the occupied Palestinian West Bank. The soldiers at the checkpoint called for back-up because the Palestinian policemen were armed. The forces arrested 3 policemen and confiscated all their weapons. The Palestinian policemen were headed to disperse a family fight in Halhul as part of a Palestinian effort to enforce security following a rise in criminal activity in Hebron. In 1997, an agreement was signed between the Israelis and the Palestinians called the ’Hebron agreement’ according to which the city was divided into two areas, H1 and H 2 with one part under Israeli authority and the other under Palestinian authority. [end] Israeli forces abduct two students, allegedly Islamic Jihad activists near Jenin Ma’an News Agency 3/12/2007 Jenin - Israeli special units on Monday abducted two Islamic Jihad activists near Jenin, in the northern occupied Palestinian West Bank. The abductees were en route to Al Yamun, returning home from Al-Quds Open University in Jenin, where they are students. Local sources stated that the activists were 24 year old Shahir Zayid and Ayman Zayid, aged 23. The Israeli special units obstructed a taxi they were travelling in and arrested the two young men. [end] Al-Aqsa Brigades fire three projectiles at Sderot Ma’an News Agency 3/12/2007 Gaza - The Al-Aqsa Brigades, the main armed wing of the Fatah movement, claimed responsibility on Monday for launching three homemade projectiles at the southern Israeli town of Sderot. They said in a statement that the shelling came as part of the "operation which started in retaliation for the Israeli excavations near Al-Aqsa mosque." They warned that, "blood leads to blood; murder leads to murder; and destruction leads to destruction. [end] PFLP’s armed wing fire two projectiles Ma’an News Agency 3/12/2007 Gaza - The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the armed group affiliated to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), claimed responsibility on Monday for launching two homemade projectiles at the Israeli community of Meir Akiva. The brigades affirmed in a statement that the operation came as part of the "natural right to retaliate for the Israeli occupation’s atrocities against the Palestinian people. [end] Top IDF officer: PM did not order advanced preparation for war Ha’aretz 3/12/2007 A senior Israel Defense Forces officer on Sunday challenged Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s assertion that he had ordered the Israel Defense Forces to prepare for a military operation along the northern border months before the second war in Lebanon broke out last summer. In an interview with Haaretz, the officer said he was unaware of such an order, adding that the Northern Command and Galilee Division did not get a response to their warnings of a shortage of personnel along the northern border and concern over possible abductions. Before the war, said the officer, Olmert spoke of a severe reaction if there was an abduction along the border, but did not comprehend what such a reaction entailed or how Hezbollah would act in such a situation. more.. Gunmen fire on Hamas minister’s car Middle East Online 3/10/2007 Security forces arrests two gunmen as two others escape after shooting at prison affairs minister. -- Gunmen opened fire on the convoy of a Hamas government minister on Saturday, threatening to complicate talks on a Palestinian national unity government a day after prime minister-designate Ismail Haniya was given another fortnight to form it. The incident sparked a roadside firefight in which three people were wounded, highlighting the tensions still simmering after months of deadly clashes between rival factions -- even as negotiations over a landmark unity cabinet appeared to be nearing a successful conclusion. One day ahead of his Sunday meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas extended by two weeks the deadline for Haniya to form the unity government. more.. IDF soldiers kill Palestinian near security fence along Gaza Strip Ha’aretz 3/10/2007 Israel Defense Forces troops on Friday shot and killed a Palestinian man who approached the security fence along the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials said. The IDF confirmed that soldiers shot at two Palestinians behaving suspiciously near the fence in central Gaza, saying they were believed to be planting an explosive device. The army said one of the two were hit, but didn’t know if he was killed. Palestinian medical and security officials confirmed the 30-year-old man was killed. They said it was not clear what he was doing near the fence. Meanwhile Friday, a Qassam rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit the western Negev, causing no damage or injuries. [end] Israel planned for Lebanon war months in advance, PM says The Guardian 3/9/2007 Olmert’s leaked testimony contradicts earlier remarks · Criticism from inquiry may force resignation -- Preparations for Israel’s war in Lebanon last summer were drawn up at least four months before two Israeli soldiers were kidnapped by Hizbullah in July, Ehud Olmert, the prime minister, has admitted. His submission to a commission of inquiry, leaked yesterday, contradicted the impression at the time that Israel was provoked into a battle for which it was ill-prepared. Mr Olmert told the Winograd commission, a panel of judges charged with investigating Israel’s perceived defeat in the 34-day war, that he first discussed the possibility of war in January and asked to see military plans in March. According to the Ha’aretz daily, which obtained details of Mr Olmert’s testimony, the prime minister chose a plan featuring air attacks... -- See also: PM: Plan for Lebanon war made months in advance more.. IAF starts incorporating drones that can better identify rocket fire Ha’aretz 3/7/2007 The Israel Air Force began incorporating on Wednesday the new "Shoval" drone, which according to the Israel Defense Forces has an improved ability to identify the launch of projectile rockets such as Katyushas and Qassams. The army said the drones will also be able to provide better assistance to troops on the ground. Shoval is the IAF nickname for the "Mahatz" drone manufactured by the Israel Aircraft Industries. The drone, which is manufactured entirely by Israeli security industries, is considered the largest in the world, with a 16-meter wingspan. It will gradually replace the older Sarcher model. The new drone has the ability to carry a 250-kilogram payload and fly at altitudes of up to 30,000 feet. The drone also has advanced surveillance and communications systems. The IAF intends to purchase a series of drones of this model. more.. Israeli forces apprehend 13 school students in Al-Arroub refugee camp Ma’an News Agency 3/7/2007 Hebron - Israeli forces apprehended on Wednesday morning 15 Palestinians in Al-Arroub refugee camp, south of Bethlehem in the southern West Bank. 13 of those arrested were high school students. According to Palestinian security sources, the Israeli forces arrested the 13 students while they were heading to school in the nearby town of Beit Ummar after stopping the bus which was transporting them. The arrested youths were named as: Abdul Fattah Ayyoub, Anwar Ar-Ra’i, Khalil Al-Hileiqawi, Diya’ Abu Hashhash, Sa’id Ash-Sharif, Murad Ash-Sharif, Noor Ar-Ra’i, Mu’tasim Nofal, Ali Al-Badawi, Mu’taz Al-Khouri, Malik Nimir and Awad Ash-Sharif. Most of the students are aged 16 and 17. In addition to the students, the Israelis apprehended Amjad Jawabra from Arroub refugee camp and Hisham Zghayyar from the city of Hebron. [end] Israeli army ransacks kindergarten in southern Bethlehem, forcibly closes it Ma’an News Agency 3/7/2007 Bethlehem - The Israeli army forcibly closed down a kindergarten in a village, south of Bethlehem, on Wednesday. At dawn, Israeli military vehicles broke into the village of Beit Fajjar, located south of the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. The soldiers stormed the village’s ’Zakat’ (Islamic alms-giving) committee offices and its kindergarten, media sources reported. The Israeli soldiers ransacked the office, damaging much equipment, and confiscated computers and files before closing down the office. [end] Students taken from road enroute to high school Palestine News Network 3/7/2007 Israeli forces arrested 13 students from northern Hebron’s Al ’Arroub Refugee Camp on Wednesday. The young people were on their way to the high school in nearby Beit Ummar Village this morning when Israeli soldiers stopped them. Sources from Al ’Arroub told PNN that a military jeep on the main Hebron – Jerusalem Street, the same road that runs through Bethlehem to the north, took the students. It is believed that the 13 are in the Etzion Detention Center in the nearby settlement bloc by the same name. The students are Abdel Fattah Ibrahim Ayoub, Anwar Ismail Kafeel, Khalil Haliqwowi, Dia’ Kamal Abu Heshesh, Sobhi Said Al Sharif, Murad Jasir Al Sharif, Majid Nur Kafeel, Muatasim Ghazi Nofal, Jamal Badawi, Motaz Jamal Al Khouri, Sa’eb Youssef Nimr and Awad Mohammad Sharif. The identity of one of the boys is unknown. [end] Four youth shot and injured near Wall in western Ramallah Palestine News Network 3/7/2007 Palestinian medical sources report that four youth were injured in the central West Bank on Tuesday. The young people threw stones at Israeli forces and the Wall in western Ramallah’s town of Beitunia, while soldiers opened fire early yesterday evening. Four young people were shot and injured. Those hospitalized are 12 year old Hatem Al Ashqar, 12 year old Issa Ahmed, 18 year old Mousa Ahmed, and 18 year old Mohammad Abdel Fattah. All have grown up in Beitunia, a town that is now shadowed by the Wall and controlled by the Israeli forces that surround it. Medical sources told PNN, “Three of the young people sustained injuries that were treatable. A fourth required surgery after being shot in the stomach, but he is now in stable condition." [end] VIDEO - Hebron settlers filmed throwing rocks at Palestinians YNetNews 3/8/2007 Just two months after shocking footage of settler cursing Palestinian in Hebron revealed, yet another video shows settler children throwing rocks at Palestinian homes. Muhammad Abu Aisha: ’I yelled to the soldiers and policemen standing 70 feet away but they pretended they couldn’t see’ -- VIDEO - "The settlers continue to curse us and throw rocks at us, including the cursing settler Ifat Elkobi. Only this time she’s being smarter about it. She brings friends who live outside this area so we can’t recognize them and then can’t complain about them," 70-year-old Muhammad Abu-Aisha said on Wednesday night of the harassment and humiliation he suffers at the hands of his settler neighbors. According to Abu-Aisha after the video of Elkobi was released the harassment lessened for several days, but since then it has returned to its original level. more.. Israeli authorities demolish unrecognized Bedouin village in the northern Negev Ma’an News Agency 3/7/2007 Negev - The Israeli authorities are demolishing the unrecognized Bedouin village of At-Twayyil Abu-Grul in the northern Negev desert, located in southern Israel, according to a statement from the Regional Council of Unrecognized Villages in the Negev. The council reported that Israeli bulldozers and police vehicles invaded the village near Laqiya, on the edge of Beer Sheva, on Wednesday morning. The demolition is reported to be continuing. [end] Israeli forces besiege Palestinian military intelligence headquarters, arrest all staff on duty and seize weapons Ma’an News Agency 3/7/2007 Ramallah - Israeli occupation forces arrested 18 Palestinian activists from the Palestinian military intelligence headquarters in Umm Ash Sharayet, south of the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Wednesday morning. Palestinian security sources said that 13 were activists from the Al Aqsa Brigades, the main military wing of Fatah; three from Tulkarem, one from Nablus, six from Ramallah and three from Jenin. One of the arrestees is believed to be an Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades member, the military wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), from Ramallah and four are as yet unidentified. Ma’an’s correspondent reported that on Wednesday morning a huge contingent of Israeli military jeeps and vehicles, accompanied by bulldozers, besieged the headquarters and summoned the ’wanted’ Palestinians using loudspeakers. -- See also: IDF arrests 18 in Ramallah raid on PA security compound more.. PM: Plan for Lebanon war made months in advance Ha’aretz 3/8/2007 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Winograd Commission that his decision to respond to the abduction of soldiers with a broad military operation was made as early as March 2006, four months before last summer’s Lebanon war broke out. The commission, which is investigating the second Lebanon war, is expected to issue its interim report this month. It has sent testimony to attorneys representing individuals who could be harmed by its conclusions. Olmert testified before the Winograd Commission on February 1, and its questions focused on three basic issues: the circumstances surrounding Amir Peretz’s appointment as defense minister; how and why the decision was made to go to war on July 12, several hours after reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were abducted by Hezbollah guerrillas on the northern border.... more.. Al Quds Brigades bomb two Israeli targets in retaliation for assassination of ’martyrs’ Ma’an News Agency 3/7/2007 Tulkarem - A cell of the Al Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility on Wednesday morning for detonating an explosive device near a checkpoint close to the separation wall in the Shwekeh region north of Tulkarem, on Tuesday. The brigades informed Ma’an that the operation was in response to the Israeli army’s assassination of an activist from the brigades, Fadl Mitlak Balawneh, on 25th January and a general retaliation to Israeli crimes and assassinations of Palestinian resisters. The Al Quds Brigades also claimed responsibility for detonating an explosive device at an Israeli infantry force near Qaffin, north of Tulkarem. The brigades declared, in a statement: "The groups of the martyr leader Ashraf Al-Sa’di affiliated to Al Quds Brigades were able to detonate an explosive device in an Israeli infantry force..." more.. With bulldozers and soldiers at the door, Jerusalem home owner buys time Palestine News Network 3/7/2007 After three more demolitions in A-Tur on Monday, the Israeli-controlled Jerusalem Municipality postponed the destruction of Mohammad Silva’s two-story house yesterday. The resident of the Mount of Olives neighborhood paid thousands of shekels in order to keep his home just a bit longer. On Tuesday a large contingent of Israeli soldiers, police and border guards arrived at Silva’s house, accompanied by dogs and bulldozers. They surrounded the area, forced residents into the street and began throwing furniture under the pretext that the home had been built without first obtaining a permit from the Israelis. The owner of the house went quickly with lawyer Ra’ed Zayed to the Municipal Court to buy an order to postpone demolition of the 130 square meter house built 25 years ago. [end] Palestinian man arrested at Huwwara checkpoint Ma’an News Agency 3/7/2007 Nablus - The Israeli forces arrested on Wednesday at noon a young man at Huwwara military checkpoint, located south of the city of Nablus in the north of the occupied West Bank. Our correspondent in Nablus reported that the arrested man was named as Annas Muhammad Al-Haj, 21. He is a resident of Balata refugee camp east of Nablus city. [end] Israeli army invades several parts of the West Bank and abducts 12 civilians International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2007 Israeli forces invaded several parts of the West Bank and abducted 12 Palestinian civilians on Tuesday morning. In the southern part of the West Bank, the Israeli army invaded the village Zawita near Nablus city. Soldiers searched and ransacked a number of homes them abducted Islam Judah, 18, and Mihsin Albawi, 23, and took them to unknown detention camps. In the meantime, also in the northern part of the West Bank, an Israeli army force invaded the city of Jenin, Jenin refugee camp, the nearby Kufer Ra’ie and Qabatia village, three civilians were abducted. Dia’e Milhem, 22, Mahmod Milhem, 21, were taken from their houses in Kufer Ra’ie village while Ahmad Abu Al Rub, was taken from his home in Qabatia village. In Jenin city and Jenin refugee camp Israeli forces invaded the area and started to search some homes... more.. Israeli Army Sweeps into Northern Gaza International Middle East Media Center 3/7/2007 Palestinian security sources reported that the Israeli army has swept late on Tuesday night into the northern Gaza Strip city of Bet Hanoun. The sources said that an Israeli infantry force, backed by warplanes, has swept into the eastern part of Beit Hanoun and taken over two houses in the area. No further details were reported. [end] Israeli army shoots and injures two Palestinian civilians near Ramallah International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2007 On Tuesday riots broke out in the West Bank village of Beitunia, near Ramallah. Israeli media reported that angered civilians threw stones at Israeli occupation forces and tried to dismantle part of the illegal wall. Troops shot and injured two civilians, who were rushed to Ramallah Hospital by the Red Crescent. It is not clear why Israeli troops were in the area in the first place. [end] IDF arrests 18 in Ramallah raid on PA security compound Ha’aretz 3/7/2007 Israel Defense Forces troops raided the Palestinian military headquarters in Ramallah early Wednesday and arrested 18 fugitives who had sought shelter there, Palestinian security officials said. In the raid, some 30 military jeeps surrounded the building. Troops firing stun grenades and shooting in the air called on the fugitives to surrender, then entered the compound and seized 18 wanted men, the security officials said. Among those taken was Khalil Shilo, a member of the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, a violent offshoot of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement. Shilo had been on the run for seven years, since the outbreak of the second Palestinian uprising in 2000. The operation came a week after an IDF arrest sweep through the West Bank city of Nablus. more.. Armed resistance launches projectiles from Gaza Strip, four Israelis injured Palestine News Network 3/6/2007 Saraya Al Quds claimed responsibility for launching two “Al Quds III” projectiles Tuesday which landed in Askelon. Four Israelis were injured and are being treated in an area hospital. The armed resistance wing of Islamic Jihad said the act came in response to the assassination of three leaders of Saraya Al Quds in Jenin. A statement issued today emphasized that it would continue firing from the Gaza Strip. [end] 2 Qassam rockets fired from Gaza Strip YNetNews 3/6/2007 One rocket lands in Ashkelon’s industrial zone, causes damage to building; four workers lightly injured -- Two Qassam rockets were fired from the northern Gaza Strip Tuesday morning toward the city of Ashkelon. One of the rockets landed in the city’s southern industrial zone, where a building was slightly damaged. Four workers were lightly injured and were rushed to the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon. The second rocket landed in an open area near Kibbutz Zikim. People working in the area said that the blast sound was extremely loud. "This time it was different," one of the workers said. "The explosion was accompanied by a very loud whistle and the alert system was activated. "We were asked to stay in fortified rooms according to procedures, and returned to our work several minutes later..." more.. Palestinian resistance foils an invasion attempt near Jenin International Middle East Media Center 3/5/2007 Palestinian resistance foiled on Monday midday an Israeli army attempt to invade the village of Qabatiya, near the northern West Bank city of Jenin. Palestinian resistance foiled on Monday midday an Israeli army attempt to invade the village of Qabatiya, near the northern West Bank city of Jenin. A group of resistance fighters from Al Quds brigades, an offshoot of the Islamic Jihad and Al Nasser brigades, the armed wing of the popular resistance committees, clashed with the invading Israeli troops and forced them to leave the village, local sources reported. [end] Two Palestinian children injured in Jabalia International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2007 Two children were injured in Jabalia town in the northern part of the Gaza strip when an unknown object exploded near them on Tuesday morning. Dr. Moawiya Hasanain, the director of the emergency and ambulance department in the ministry of Health in Gaza reported that Hassan Abu Warda, aged 5, and his sister Diane, 4, were hit with shrapnel when an unknown object exploded near them. The two were moved to Kamal Adwan hospital, in Jabalia, for treatment. On Monday evening one fighter of the Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, was killed while preparing explosives in Al Nusseirt refugee camp, in the Gaza Strip. The fighter, Mohammad Al Liddawi, 24, was preparing an explosive charge near his home when the explosives went off. He was seriously injured and died of his wounds three hours later, at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza. [end] Fighters detonate two explosives near the Wall, military patrol in Tulkarem International Middle East Media Center 3/7/2007 The Palestinian Maan News Agency, reported on Tuesday at night that fighters of the Al Quds Brigades, that armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, detonated explosive charges in two seperate incidents targeting the Annexation Wall gate, and a military patrol near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem. The brigades issued a press release claiming responsibility for detonating an explosive charge near soldiers patrolling at Halmish settlement road, near Qaffeen village, north of Tulkarem. Also, the brigades issued another press release claiming responsibility for detonating an explosive charge at the Gate of the Annexation Wall section close to Shweika area, north of Tulkarem. The groups said that the two attacks are a natural response to the Israeli attacks and violations, especially the assassinations carried against resistance fighters. more.. Suspected vice squad of Muslim militants targeting Gaza Internet cafes, music shops Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 KHAN YUNIS - A note stuck to the door of his tiny music shop warned Mohammed al-Shaer several months ago that selling tapes and CDs of popular Arabic music was haram, or forbidden by Islam. Al-Shaer paid no heed until a bomb went off outside his business this week - apparently the work of what Palestinian security officials now suspect may be a secret vice squad of Muslim militants. In recent months, about three dozen Internet cafes, music shops and even pharmacies have been attacked, with assailants detonating small bombs outside businesses at night, causing damage but no injuries. The bombings started in October, a new phenomenon even in violent Gaza, where more than 130 people have been killed in factional fighting between Hamas and Fatah in recent months. more.. Israeli forces invade two northern West Bank towns in ongoing campaign against the "wanted" Palestine News Network 3/6/2007 At dawn Tuesday Israeli forces invaded the northern West Bank’s Jenin District. The first target was town of Kafr Dan to the northwest of the city. Israeli forces broke into sleeping houses in a search for the “wanted. ”Eyewitnesses report that Israeli soldiers began by creating ambushes near the houses before they were followed by a large contingent of military vehicles. The raid campaign and searches were widespread, with Israelis storming the entirety of the town. Israeli forces also invaded southern Jenin’s town of Qabatiya Tuesday morning, storming neighborhoods and breaking into houses. Nothing inside was safe, described residents, whose personal belongings were torn through in the search for the so-called “wanted. [end] Sderot bomb shelters not ready for possible Gaza escalation Ha’aretz 3/7/2007 Sderot residents are preparing their bomb shelters for long-term use in case the Palestinians intensify their Qassam attacks, as military officials have recently warned could happen shortly." Sderot realized it has no one to rely on, so it is doing the work alone," a social work student said yesterday as she went from house to house recording special needs residents may have during an extended stay in a bomb shelter. She was one of 150 students from Sapir Academic College Tuesday asking residents about their health - including any disabilities - and family status. The purpose of the survey is to refer people with special needs to the most suitable shelters and find out if people need help getting to the shelter, said Sderot’s security officer, Yehuda Ben Maman... more.. Air Force receives new UAVs YNetNews 3/6/2007 Israel Aerospace Industry to deliver new batch of hi-tech drones used in Lebanon over summer -- The Israeli Air Force is set to receive a new batch of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during an official ceremony at the Palmahim Air Force base on Wednesday afternoon. The drones, called Mahad 2, are manufactured by the Israel Aerospace Industry (IAI), and have already served the Air Force, providing it with new reconnaissance capabilities during the Lebanon war over the summer they can remain in the air for an extended period of time. Speaking to Ynetnews, Doron Suslik, Deputy Corporate Vice President for Communications at IAI, said that UAVs are playing an increasingly central role in Air Force operations. "In Lebanon, UAVs were used on the border with Israel in order to bring back intelligence..." more.. Israeli police enter Area A and target cars in southern Nablus Palestine News Network 3/6/2007 At Huwara Checkpoint in southern Nablus the Israeli police held hundreds of cars waiting to pass during Tuesday morning’s commute. Although there is an Israeli military checkpoint occupying what is known as “Area A” under Oslo, the Israeli police do not normally enter because of that status. Today, however, the Israeli police claimed that one car was stolen among the throngs waiting to move. It is a feature of every morning, and almost every passage through the checkpoint, that all vehicles are searched, including the identification of driver and passengers, their belongings, and papers. And as soon as news spread that the holdup would be even longer than usual, hundreds of people headed for other routes. But the Israeli police began chasing them, said eyewitnesses. more.. The Temple Mount is in his hands Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 A few years ago, Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, the chief rabbi of Ramat Gan and one of the leading candidates for chief rabbi of Israel, ruled in a halakhic article (dealing with religious law) that the laws regarding a moser (someone who informs against or hands over another Jew) and a rodef (someone who pursues a person with the intent of killing him) do not apply to the present-day Israeli government. According to religious law, these crimes are punishable by death.... a letter to the head of the Israel Defense Forces Central Command, Major General Yair Naveh.... accused Naveh of being a moser for signing eviction notices for 20 outpost residents. In the letter, the Sanhedrin beit din referred the general to the law of damages in Maimonides, which states, "if he is determined to be a moser, he must be killed for fear that he will hand over others"... more.. Fateh gunman injured in infighting with Hamas gunmen International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2007 Monday afternoon, one Fateh gunman was shot and injured during armed clashes between Palestinian security sources loyal to Fateh and Hamas gunmen. The clashes took place after an argument over the control of a nearby training compound, Israeli online daily Haaretz reported. The clashes were described as the worst since Fateh and Hamas signed a government unity deal in Mecca last month. Security forces loyal to Fateh movement demanded Hamas gunmen to leave the area but they refused and said that the area is under the control of security forces loyal to Hamas. In two separate attacks, unknown gunmen fired rounds of live ammunition at the house and car of a Palestinian security officer loyal to Fateh. Gunmen also fired rounds of live ammunition at a Palestinian police headquarter; no injuries were reported... more.. Sarid: "In 1967, army executed 250 unarmed Egyptian soldiers" International Middle East Media Center 3/4/2007 Former Meretz party leader in Israel, Yossi Sarid said in an interview with the Egyptian daily, Al Ahram, that the Israeli army executed 250 unarmed Egyptian soldiers at the end of the 1967 war. Saird described the incident as a war crime since it involved the killing of unarmed soldiers. Israeli TV Channel one, aired a documentary earlier this week and revealed that an elite unit of the Israeli army, commanded by Labor member of Knesset, Benjamin Ben Eliezer, executed 250 unarmed Egyptian soldiers after they surrendered to the Israeli army. “The killing of those captive soldiers in the Six Day War was a war crime”, Saird told Al Ahram, “But war crimes in the area are numerous”. The report received intensive media coverage in Egypt, Israeli Ynetnews reported. more.. Report: 13 Palestinians killed, 188 injured by Israeli army fire during February 2007 International Middle East Media Center 3/5/2007 The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza issued a report on Monday which stated that 13 Palestinians including one woman, were killed while 188 others were injured by Israeli army fire during the month of February 2007. The report mentioned that the number of the injured from the 3 to18 age category was 70. In effect, the ratio of injured children stands at 37. 2 % of the total figure of casualties. In the reported the ministry of Health stated that due to the clashes that erupted between Israeli troops and Palestinian civilians protesting the excavation near the Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, 23 civilians were hospitalized while hundreds others were treated on the spot. The military offensive ("Hot Winters") that the Israeli army conducted in Nablus city in the northern part of the West Bank, lasted nearly all of last week. more.. Fighter killed as he was preparing explosives in Gaza International Middle East Media Center 3/5/2007 Palestinian medical and security sources in the Gaza Strip reported on Monday evening that one fighter of the Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, was killed while preparing explosives in Al Nusseirt refugee camp, in the Gaza Strip. The fighter, Mohammad Al Liddawi, 24, was preparing an explosive charge near his home when the explosives went off. He was seriously injured and died of his wounds three hours later, at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza. [end] Second Lebanon War? Cemeteries never heard of it Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 Parents of soldiers killed in last summer’s war in Lebanon are demanding that the Defense Ministry allow them to inscribe on the tombstone that they were killed in "the second Lebanon war." The parents argue that the current inscription, which states that the soldiers were ’fell in battle in southern Lebanon,’ serves the government’s policy of not declaring the conflict a war because of political and economic ramifications. The public council for the commemoration of fallen soldiers said it will shortly decide whether to recommend to Defense Minister Amir Peretz to change the inscriptions on the gravestones. The custom in military cemeteries is to have standard inscriptions on tombstones, determined by a special department at the Defense Ministry. more.. Mines thrown into Golan Heights YNetNews 3/4/2007 10 anti-personnel mines tossed over security fence into Israeli side of Golan Heights, the area from which the mines were thrown considered Israeli territory. Identity of perpetrators remains unclear. Military calls incident unusual, Israel says it will file complaint with UN -- Six anti-personnel mines were thrown by Syrians into Israel on Saturday afternoon. The mines were identified by a routine military patrol and sappers were alerted to the scene to neutralize the explosives. The army insists the Syrian government is responsible for its border, even if the incident was a local initiative. IDF sources said on Saturday night that the mines in question were ones Israel had planted east of the security fence, but inside Israeli territory. more.. Police: Most rockets in Gaza made from parts acquired in Israel Ha’aretz 3/4/2007 Most of the rockets fired by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip are made from pipes and metal parts acquired in Israel, police said Sunday. The report came after a gag order lifted Sunday revealed that the Shin Bet has arrested a Palestinian suspected of supplying Hamas militants with pipes used to produce Qassam rockets. A’amar Zak, 37, was nabbed by security forces at the Erez Border crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip and charged with assisting a terrorist organization. According to Israel’s security service, since the GOC Southern Command issued an order prohibiting the purchase of metal pipes from Israel Palestinian militants have been cut off from an important supply of metal used to produce the Qassams. more.. Five Gunmen Abduct a Palestinian Resident in Khan Younis International Middle East Media Center 3/3/2007 Palestinian media sources reported that five unknown gunmen abducted Saturday a resident of the Khan Younis city in southern Gaza Strip. Mohammad Shahin, 22, owner of an internet café has been reportedly abducted form his shop in the Al-Amal neighborhood of Khan Younis. Witnesses said that five gunmen broke into the café and dragged Shain, taking him to unknown destination. Palestinian police forces have begun searching for Shanin, while Fatah has condemned the attack, as Hamas denied any responsibility for the abduction. Shahin is affiliated with no Palestinian faction, local residents believed. Such an incident comes amidst Palestinian factions’ agreement to a power-sharing government, expected to be made public shortly. more.. Three residents injured, two taken prisoner in Nablus International Middle East Media Center 3/3/2007 Israeli forces invading the Nablus, in the northern part of the West Bank, shot and injured three Palestinian residents, and abducted two others in the Old City of Nablus. The renewed invasion was carried out on Friday at night. Local sources in Nablus reported that soldiers, backed by dozens of armored vehicles and jeeps, invading the Old City of Nablus and clashes with dozens of residents. One of the injured residents, identified as Isam Al Bakry, 19, lost his left arm after being hit by rounds of live ammunition, medical sources in Nablus reported. Two other residents were also injured. Also, troops abducted two brothers identified as Imad and Nihad Mansour; the two brothers wee abducted after the army invaded Kafer Qaleel neighborhood in the city. more.. Palestinian youth throw stones at Wall in protest of Al Aqsa destruction Palestine News Network 3/2/2007 The West Bank’s Bethlehem broke out in a volley of bullets and stones Friday as Palestinian youth protested the destruction at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque. Dozens of young people began the demonstration on Friday afternoon in front of the Wall, sniper towers and Rachel’s Tomb military compound that have settled in northern Bethlehem. The youth are demanding that Israeli forces stop the excavations at Moroccans Gate and Al Aqsa Mosque within the ancient walls of East Jerusalem’s Old City. As young Palestinians threw stones and empty bottles at the cement and iron structures, Israeli soldiers fired rubber bullets, gas and concussion grenades. Several of the youth were treated for nausea and vomiting due to gas inhalation during three hours of continuous clashes. [end] Saraya Al Quds leader: Palestinian blood is not cheap Palestine News Network 3/2/2007 A week before Israeli forces assassinated Ashraf As Saadi in Jenin Refugee Camp this Wednesday, the West Bank’s Saraya Al Quds leader carried his colleague’s coffin in a funeral procession. Israeli forces assassinated Mahmoud Abu Ebeid, the Saraya Al Quds leader of Jenin, last Wednesday. After burying his friend and colleague, As Saadi spoke with PNN, not knowing that soon he himself would be dead. The meeting began sadly. “We in the Al Quds Brigades will not bother with ’condemning’ or ’deploring’ the assassination of commander Mahmoud Abu Ebeid. Instead, our response will be practical. We will escalate the pace of resistance against the occupation which will pay dearly. ” As Saadi threatened a response, as is the case after most any death at the hands of Israeli forces. more.. Government donates funds for reconstruction efforts after invasion of Nablus’ Old City Palestine News Network 3/2/2007 Education Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Nasser Addin Al Sha’er, surveyed the latest damages incurred in Nablus’ Old City during the recent four days of invasion. The integrity of ancient buildings is further compromised with each attack, while several facades have been necessarily replaced over the years. Stone lies in piles where centuries old structures once stood, destroyed in this and previous invasions. Dr. Al Sha’er was also concerned with the human toll and visited families in their homes. He stopped to talk with passersby in the streets and several people in the alley-ways of the Old City described the treatment they endured and the damages sustained. Families were locked in single rooms, unsure of their fate. The elderly and those in need of regular sleep and meals, or medication and doctors visits, were all particularly hard hit. more.. IDF imposes complete closure on West Bank ahead of Purim Ha’aretz 3/2/2007 The Israel Defense Forces imposed a complete closure on the West Bank at midnight Thursday, ahead of the Jewish holiday of Purim, which begins Saturday night. The closure, imposed due to terror alerts, is to last until midnight on Monday. Under such a closure, Palestinians are banned from entering Israel, except for a few humanitarian cases. The closure will not affect operation of commercial crossings. "The IDF regards the holiday period as a highly sensitive time, security wise. Due to this fact, the IDF will enhance its alertness to ensure the safety of the citizens of Israel, while preserving, to the best of its ability, the daily life of the Palestinian population," the IDF said in a statement. The IDF halted its large-scale arrest operation in the West Bank city of Nablus on Thursday, despite the failure to capture the senior militants the army had set out to arrest. more.. Nablus: Israeli army offensive continues for the fifth consecutive day International Middle East Media Center 3/1/2007 The Israeli army continued on Thursday its military offensive nicknamed as "Hot Winter" for the fifth consecutive day, targeting the northern West Bank city of Nablus. Today the city witnessed more military activities, during the early dawn hours an Israeli army force attacked Rafedia refugee camp searched and ransacked houses. They then abducted four Palestinian men. This attack was conducted by an ultra-Orthodox unit of the Nahal brigade of the Israeli army, Israeli media sources reported. Later, a man the Israeli army claimed was a Palestinian resistance fighter, was injured when targeted by an Israeli sharp shooter in downtown Nablus, Israeli sources reported. However, Palestinian sources stated that a massive Israeli force surrounded two residential buildings in Rafadia neighborhood in the western side of the city. more.. Israeli army invades a Palestinian refugee camp near Tubas; four civilians injured, two abducted International Middle East Media Center 3/1/2007 The Israeli army invaded Al Far’a refugee camp south of Tubass city in the northern part of the West Bank on Thursday morning. During the invasion, Israeli troops attacked and searched residents’ homes. Soldiers fired sound and tear gas bombs into residents’ homes and injured four, all were moved to hospitals in Nablus city. No names of casualties were issued. Ahmad Sawalmah and his brother Firas were abducted when Israeli soldiers searched and ransacked their family home, the family reported. In the meantime, heavily armored Israeli vehicles are still in the refugee camp, enforcing a strict curfew and confining scores of Palestinian families to their homes. [end] Curfew in Jenin area and arrest raids a day after Israeli forces assassinated 3 people in the city Palestine News Network 3/1/2007 At dawn Thursday Israeli forces imposed curfew on southwestern Jenin’s Far’a Refugee Camp and began raiding homes. They arrested three young men. Soldiers broke into a mosque and surrounded several houses, alleging that “wanted” persons were inside. Eyewitnesses counted at least 20 military mechanisms involved in the attacks which had Israeli soldiers shouting through megaphones for the “wanted” to come to them. In small pockets of the camp, some of its over 7,000 residents attempted to stave off the invasion. In the town of Al Yamoun, northwest of the city, Israeli forces launched raids throughout the morning, also hitting Tamoun. They imposed a military blockade in Tamoun, preventing residents from moving. In addition to arresting two young people in Al Yamoun, Israeli soldiers claimed there were “wanted” persons in the area. [end] Gazan man kidnapped and shot then abandoned in Khan Younis Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Khan Younis - Palestinian security sources said on Thursday evening that Shadi Hameed, aged 22, was moderately injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire at him in the Gaza Strip. According to the sources, some Palestinian citizens found the man in the Morag area with gun-shot wounds to his legs. He was transferred to the European hospital for medical treatment. Security sources also said that the victim was abducted from his residence in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood in Gaza City by unknown gunmen, who afterwards took him to southern Gaza Strip before they shot him. The circumstances of the incident are still unknown. [end] Operation Hot Winter’ in Nablus deemed a failure by Israeli media Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Bethlehem - Israeli newspapers and websites have judged the military operation in Nablus to be a failure. ’Operation Hot Winter’ began on Saturday morning with four Israeli divisions taking part, in addition to reinforcement from border guards. The operation was ended on Thursday in the absence of any declarations of success. Israeli daily, Haaretz, stated, "The operation, titled ’Hot Winter’ began on Saturday and included four IDF battalions and Border Police troops. Security forces were able to arrest 11 wanted Palestinians, and discovered three weapons factories, as well as an arms cache. The army was unable, however, to arrest the six militants that headed the wanted list for the operation." 22 wanted Palestinians were arrested throughout the occupied Palestinian West Bank in auxiliary operations. more.. Israeli army detains nine Palestinians on Thursday morning Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Bethlehem - The Israeli forces arrested nine ’wanted’ Palestinians from various regions in the occupied West Bank on Thursday at dawn, Israeli sources have reported. Israeli media sources said that the arrests took place in several cities in the West Bank; the arrested men were taken to interrogation centers for questioning. [end] 3 Israelis convicted of manslaughter for transporting suicide bomber Ha’aretz 3/2/2007 Three Israeli citizens were convicted Thursday of manslaughter by the Tel Aviv District Court because they had driven a suicide bomber on his way to the site of the attack in Netanya in July 2005. This is the first time that persons who aided a terrorist, but were not involved in the planning or execution of the attack, are convicted of manslaughter. The suicide bombing took place in July 2005 at a crosswalk near the Sharon Mall in Netanya. Five persons were killed and 30 were injured five of them seriously. Two of those convicted - Seif Azam from Taibeh and Kfir Levy from Ramat Gan - smuggled the Palestinians from the territories into Israel. On the day of the attack, Asaf Zahran, the handler of the suicide bomber, called Azam and asked him to drive the man into Israel. The two paid NIS 1000 for the ride and crossed the Green Line in Levy’s car. more.. 50 Palestinians released after roundup in Nablus Palestine News Network 3/1/2007 On Thursday afternoon Israeli forces announced an end to the invasion of Nablus that began pre-dawn Sunday. Eyewitnesses reported an apparent withdrawal from parts of the city throughout the day, but not entirely. Earlier this morning in the Rafidiya neighborhood Israeli forces besieged several homes in the vicinity of the Palace Building, and brought in dogs and explosive with no apparent motive. Residents are still not coming out of their homes in the Old City and Rafidiya, fearing that Israeli forces will suddenly return en masse. At dawn Israeli forces released 50 Old City residents who had been kept in the Huwara military installation after roundups at the fire station. Reports describe the investigations and behavior of the soldiers as “impulsive and repugnant. ” more.. Palestinian resistance launch five home-made shells at Israeli settlement International Middle East Media Center 3/1/2007 Palestinian resistance groups in the Gaza strip launched five home-made shells at Israeli targets in the northern part of Israel on Thursday morning. The attack targeted Israeli military instillations near the Israeli town of Ashkilon and the nearby settlement of Birri located in the Negev desert. Al Qudes brigades, an off-shoot of Islamic Jihad movement in Palestine claimed responsibility for the attack, and stated that in comes in response to the assassination of three of its members in the northern West Bank city of Jenin on Wednesday. On Wednesday undercover Israeli troops entered the refugee camp in a civilian car with Palestinian license plates and chased Ashraf Al-Saadi aged 25, a leader of Al-Quds Brigades. Al-Sa’adi attempted to escape and Palestinian resistance fighters clashed with the Israeli army unit. more.. Israeli lightly injured in West Bank shooting attack YNetNews 3/1/2007 Man with gunshot wounds arrives at army checkpoint near Qalqilya, says was hit by shots from passing car -- A 55-year-old Israeli suffering from gunshot wounds to the chest arrived at an IDF checkpoint in the seam line area Thursday noon. The man said he was hit by gunshots from a passing vehicle near the West Bank town of Qalqilya. The man said that while driving from Qalqilya, where he visited a plant nursery, in the direction of the checkpoint, a white Subaru pickup truck overtook his car and two men, armed with pistols, fired at him. Magen David Adom paramedics evacuated the man, who was lightly injured, to the Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba. Security officials estimate that the attack was terror-related. The IDF is currently searching for the perpetrators, who are believed to have escaped to Qalqilya. more.. Abu Ar Rish Brigades launch two homemade projectiles at an Israeli military post Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Khan Younis - Abu Ar Rish Brigades, a military wing affiliated to Fatah, on Thursday claimed responsibility for launching two homemade projectiles at the Israeli military post, east of Al Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. They said, in a statement, that the operation comes as a response to the Israeli escalation in military operations and in retaliation for the assassination of three leaders of the Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad. [end] Explosive device and anti-tank missile launched at two Israeli patrols in Gaza Strip Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Bethlehem - Israeli sources reported on Thursday evening that the Paslestinian resistance hurled an explosive device at an Israeli patrol near an electronic fence in the northern Gaza Strip. An anti-tank missile was launched towards another patrol in southern Gaza Strip. The sources reported no casualties. [end] Al Quds Brigades retaliate for Israeli assassination of three brigades leaders in Jenin on Wednesday Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Gaza - The Al Quds Brigades, the armed group affiliated to the Islamic Jihad movement, claimed responsibility on Thursday for hurling two explosive devices at Israeli military vehicles near the Gaza Strip. The brigades, in a statement, said that the operation is as part of the ongoing retaliation to the assassination of three brigades’ leaders in the northern West Bank city of Jenin yesterday. [end] The dangerous ’industry’ of selling West Bank land to Jewish settlement agencies; Modi’in Illit expands Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Bethlehem - Despite the comprehensive Palestinian war against any Palestinian who sells land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and even inside Israel, to Jewish settlement institutions, this ’industry’ is still thriving, and is valued at over tens of millions of dollars each year, according to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, an Arabic-language newspaper published in London. Palestinians who sell land to Jewish settlement agencies have found themselves targeted by other Palestinians, resulting in occasional bloodshed and murder. It was revealed in Tel Aviv on Wednesday that the Jewish estate agents had come up with a new ploy. All owners of land sold to settlement institutions will have their names kept secret, in order "to protect the safety of the owners of the land from being sentenced to death." -- See also: Illegal construction approved in the Modi'in Illit settlement more.. Al-Quds Brigades open fire on Israeli military patrols in Jenin Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Gaza - The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, have claimed responsibility for firing at two Israeli military patrols in the Jenin governorate, in the north of the occupied West Bank. A source in the brigades said in a phone call to Ma’an that the two shooting operations occurred in two separate places. They said that the attacks were a preliminary response for the assassination of Ashraf Al-Sa’di, a leader in the Al-Quds Brigades in the West Bank, Muhammad Abu Na’she, a leader in the Al-Quds Brigades in Jenin refugee camp, and ’Ala’ Al-Breki, a member of the Al-Quds Brigades in Jenin refugee camp. The brigades threatened to retaliate for the Israeli attack with a series of operations against the Israeli occupation. [end]  Diplomacy
Arabs unite at summit to renew peace offer to Israel The Guardian 3/29/2007 Arab leaders closed ranks to appeal to Israel yesterday to overcome its long-standing reservations and accept a landmark offer that could lead to a breakthrough in the Middle East peace process. Saudi Arabia, abandoning its customary reticence to host its first Arab League summit for 30 years, bridged its quarrels with Syria and persuaded the Palestinian Islamists of Hamas to stay on side as it sought endorsement for a land-for-peace deal that would require Israel to return to its pre-1967 borders." If Israel refuses that means it doesn’t want peace," said the Saudi foreign minister, Saud al-Faisal." Then the conflict goes back into the hands of the lords of war," he warned, as the two-day summit opened in Riyadh. The Arab offer of recognition and peace was first made in 2002 but was ignored by the west and Israel.... more.. Palestinians seek $2.7 billion at Arab summit Daily Star 3/29/2007 RIYADH: The Palestinian government expects to receive a pledge of $2. 7 billion in aid at the Arab summit that opened in Riyadh on Wednesday, finance minister Salam Fayyad said. "We hope to obtain the necessary financial support for 2007, which totals $2. 7 billion," Fayyad said told AFP. "We expect Arab leaders to approve today a draft resolution submitted to them on continuing financial aid to the Palestinian Authority for a year to the tune of $55 million per month. "There are $1. 7 billion in arrears not paid by some Arab brothers last year," he said. "We need urgent assistance and we cannot obtain it without the implementation of the resolution providing for continuing the aid and paying arrears," Fayyad said. "The Palestinian Authority needs to settle $643 million in unpaid salaries [to civil servants], and we hope that the summit will cover them," he added. more.. Peretz calls for change on Palestinians Jerusalem Post 3/29/2007 "This is the time for the Israeli government to initiate a change" in finding a solution to the Palestinian issue, Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Wednesday. Addressing an international conference at the Center for European Studies at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya marking the 40th anniversary of the Six Day War, Peretz said that war had "made us sink deep into our own arrogance and belief in our military." The defense minister said the blessing of victory in the 1967 war had become a curse of occupation. ’Our dreams of land clash with other dreams - land is not more important than human life... evacuating land [in Gaza] was the right direction. The establishment of a Palestinian state is not only a Palestinian interest, but first and foremost is an Israeli interest." more.. After Rice / Creeping back to the unilateral Ha’aretz 3/29/2007 Calls are being heard to reexamine convergence -- Condoleezza Rice yesterday ended another disappointing trip into the diplomatic minefield of the Middle East. In her closing statement, Rice maneuvered between the adamant refusal of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to discuss a final status agreement with the Palestinians and her desire to come home from this trip with some sort of achievement. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni proposed a compromise: Rice will talk to both sides about the "character of the future Palestinian state" without touching the sensitive issues of permanent borders, Jerusalem and the refugees. Olmert’s flexibility could be measured in millimeters. His bi-weekly talks with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas will not deal only with security and Palestinian humanitarian issues, but will also discuss "a diplomatic horizon," a non-binding, empty formula. more.. Joint Israeli-Palestinian cooperation YNetNews 3/29/2007 Israeli defense officers meet with Palestinian Presidential Guard to discuss, coordinate Abbas security -- Are Israelis and Palestinians renewing security coordination? Ynet was recently informed of a Wednesday meeting in Jericho between Israeli security officers and officers from the Palestinian Presidential Guard, to discuss how best to protect Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The Palestinian Presidential Guard is responsible for the president’s security, and is considered a force loyal to the president. The security concerns most requiring such coordination during his drives between Gaza and Ramallah in the West Bank, and during his stays in Gaza. A Palestinian source said that the two sides had exchanged information about topics beyond Abbas’ security... more.. Hopes for Arab summit: end to blockade, imposition of international law, Arab Initiative "as is" Palestine News Network 3/28/2007 Information Minister in the new unity government, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, expressed satisfaction with the general Palestinian position as it approached the Arab summit. Delegates from throughout the Arab world begin to arrive today, with the Sudanese President giving opening remarks and President Abbas already having met with Javier Solana “on the sidelines. ”President Abbas is leading the Palestinian delegation which includes Prime Minister Haniya, numerous ministers in the new government and most of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Dr. Barghouthi expects that the Palestinian position will be one of “cohesion and unity,” and that it will make its decisions “in support of the Palestinian people. ”.... “I feel satisfied at the convergence of Palestinian and Arab positions regarding the Arab Initiative..." more.. Abdullah: U.S. occupation ’illegitimate’ Yahoo! News 3/28/2007 Iraq on Wednesday as an "illegitimate foreign occupation" and called on the West to end its financial embargo against the Palestinians. The Saudi monarch’s speech was a strongly worded lecture to Arab leaders that their divisions had helped fuel turmoil across the Middle East, and he urged them to show unity. But in opening the Arab summit, Abdullah also nodded to hardliners by criticizing the U.S. presence in Iraq. "In beloved Iraq, blood is flowing between brothers, in the shadow of an illegitimate foreign occupation, and abhorrent sectarianism threatens a civil war," said the king, whose country is a U.S. ally that quietly aided the 2003 U.S. -led invasion of Iraq. U.S. allies at the summit are trying to win support from other Arab governments to promote an Arab peace initiative... more.. The Arab summit was prepared in the USA, Col. Qaddafi tells Al-Jazeera, confirms his plan to deport all Palestinians Ma’an News Agency 3/28/2007 Bethlehem - The Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar al-Qaddafi, has told Al-Jazeera satellite channel that the agenda of the Arab summit was prepared in the USA and that Libya boycotted the summit because the Arab leaders demonstrated recklessness at the last summit. He told the channel that he feels sorry for the Arab leaders as they can do nothing in the face of American pressure. Speaking about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Libyan leader said he believes that the only solution to the conflict is to build one state for the two people. He also said that he is planning to send all the Palestinians living in his country – some 30,000 – to Palestine to prove that there is no solution to the conflict and because he refuses to be part of the deal which intends to sell the Palestinian people and issue, which he said the Arab leaders are complicit in. more.. Israel helps Palestinians curb sewage levels after floods kill 5 Ha’aretz 3/28/2007 Israel on Wednesday sent two large floating pumps into the Gaza Strip to help Palestinians lower sewage levels, a day after the collapse of a cesspool flooded a village with waste and killed five people, the Israel Defense Forces’ Civil Administration said. Civil Administration spokesman Peter Lerner also said that a man seriously wounded in the floods Tuesday had been hospitalized in Israel. Dozens of bulldozers and trucks worked furiously Wednesday to shore up a network of sewage basins in northern Gaza. Palestinian and United Nations officials moved people displaced from the village of Umm Naser to tents on higher ground and scrambled to prevent the collapse of the other overloaded sewage pools. Another collapse could send sewage flooding into the far larger town of Beit Lahia, causing a wider spread disaster, local officials said. more.. Man tried in Egypt over spying for Israel: I confessed under duress Ha’aretz 3/28/2007 CAIRO - The defense lawyer for an Egyptian-Canadian charged with spying for Israel asked the Cairo court on Wednesday to drop the charges against his client, saying his confession was made under duress while being interrogated. Such an investigation was illegal and not based on material evidence, attorney Ibrahim el-Basyuni said. Mohammed el-Attar, 30, has been on trial since February 24 at the State Security Emergency Court in the Egyptian capital, and pleaded not guilty. Three Israelis charged alongside el-Attar are being tried in absentia. If convicted, the accused face a maximum life sentence, with hard labor. He gave no other details of what he described as duress but el-Attar had in an earlier session told the court he confessed because he was tortured with electric shocks. more.. Ashkenazi hints IDF may need to act against Hamas in Gaza soon Ha’aretz 3/28/2007 Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi hinted Wednesday that the IDF may need to act against Hamas soon, due to the fact that the organization is strengthening itself." The strengthening process of Hamas requires one solution or another on our part," Ashkenazi told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. "There is a large amount of arms [flowing in] and they have stepped up their operational planning. The Southern Command is preparing and training for the possibility that it will be put into action." Also Wednesday, the Israel Air Force carried out its first strike in the Gaza Strip in several months, targeting a group of militants who were preparing to fire Qassam rockets into Israel.... "The purpose of the army is to ensure the state’s supremacy and to win in the face of every challenge." more.. Leftists call for Arab summit to be wary of old US plans dressed up in double-speak Palestine News Network 3/28/2007 The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine is calling on the Arab summit to push for the immediate lifting of the political and economic blockade. The leftists said in no uncertain terms that when the summit begins in Riyadh tomorrow, its first order of business must be to condemn American policy in its “blind support of the Israeli occupation and siege, and the brutal and continual aggression against the Palestinian people." The PFLP warned of false promises put forth by the American administration to mislead the public with a more polite version of the same policies. The onus is not on the Palestinians to end the Israeli occupation, said the PFLP, nor is it to protect it. “The Palestinian people are just in their struggle for liberation from occupation, settlement, and self-determination, just like any other peoples of the globe." more.. Palestinian civil society appeals to Arab summit to protect the refugees’ right of return Ma’an News Agency 3/28/2007 Bethlehem - Ma’an - "Recent Israeli statements claiming readiness to engage with the Arab Initiative, if Arab states dropped the clause on the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes in accordance with UN Resolution 194, is nothing but yet another attempt to deceive Arabs and Palestinians and obtain free concessions," a statement from the Bethlehem-based BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights reads. BADIL adds that 76 organizations and networks of Palestinian civil society in Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Syria, Europe, and North America have submitted a memorandum to the Arab summit, meeting today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. BADIL says that this memorandum "reminds Arab states that the right of return of Palestinian refugees to their homes and properties..." more.. Palestinians protest in Ramallah against potential amendments to Arab Peace Initiative Ma’an News Agency 3/28/2007 Ramallah - Palestinian national and Islamic forces in Ramallah governorate in the central West Bank organized a sit-in strike on Wednesday at Al-Manarah square in Ramallah. The protestors called for the Arab countries’ leaders in Riyadh to not give in to the Israeli and American demands to amend the Arab peace initiative of 2002. The participants raised signs calling for adherence to the right of return of the Palestinian refugees to their land occupied in 1948. [end] Palestinian Prime Minister Optimistic about the Arab Summit International Middle East Media Center 3/28/2007 The Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya, voiced Tuesday his optimism about the Arab states’ summit due to be launched Wednesday in the Saudi Arabian city of Riyadh. He said he is expecting a unified Arab stance in support of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights. Haniya, who will attend the summit along with President Abbas, asserted that the Israeli refusal of the Arab peace initiative and recognition of the Palestinian people’s rights is the problem. The PM voiced his hope that this summit would establish a joint Arab agenda that is capable of tackling current challenges, especially the international economic embargo which is being imposed on the Palestinian people. Arab leaders are due to begin today a regular summit meeting in Riyadh, where they are expected to reaffirm the 2002 peace proposal... more.. Bill aims to wean US off of foreign oil Jerusalem Post 3/29/2007 The United States would commit $20 million a year over seven years to joint Israeli-American alternative energy projects under new legislation to be filed Thursday. The measure aims to wean America off of foreign oil as well as find environment-friendly energy solutions. To that end, it would provide grant money to Israeli firms, academic labs or government agencies which work with American counterparts on developing technologies based on renewable resources such as wind and solar power or on making current technologies more energy efficient. "President Bush identified American reliance on foreign oil as an economic, environmental and national security problem that we must address," said Rep. Brad Sherman (D-California) in seeking co-sponsors for the House bill, of which he now has more than 50. "Israel shares this vital interest." more.. Visiting evangelical Christians join Jerusalem Day festivities Ha’aretz 3/29/2007 Israeli lawmakers Wednesday joined visiting evangelical Christians in celebrating Israel’s reunification of Jerusalem 40 years ago. In a meeting at the Knesset, the evangelicals repeated their support for refusing to give up any land to the Palestinians in exchange for peace. Evangelicals support Israel as fulfillment of a precept of Jewish control over all the land promised in the Bible, which they see as a step toward redemption. David Rotem, a Yisrael Beiteinu MK, spoke out against various plans for peace with the Palestinians. "There is a Saudi proposal, an American proposal, a European Union proposal and a Palestinian proposal which are going to endanger the state of Israel," Rotem said and the visitors responded with "Amen." David Bogenrief from Iowa, a Christian Zionist for more than 20 years, said a two-state solution is against the word of God. more.. Vatican says Israel delegation cancels meeting YNetNews 3/28/2007 Vatican expresses disappointment over cancellation; Israel says meeting merely delayed, due to many international visits to region -- The Vatican expressed regret on Wednesday after an Israeli delegation called off a meeting meant to discuss relations between the two states. The Vatican said in a statement Israeli negotiators had told it on Monday they could not make the long-planned meeting because of the "international political context". An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman explained that the delegation’s trip to Rome "has not been cancelled but delayed". He said the head of the delegation, foreign ministry director general Aaron Abramovich, had too many unexpected, last-minute commitments such as visits by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. more.. Strain between Vatican and Israelis over taxation and confiscation of Catholic properties International Middle East Media Center 3/28/2007 Sources in the Vatican said yesterday that at the last minute an Israeli delegation canceled its scheduled talks for Thursday. A Vatican spokesperson described it as “sudden and unexpected. ” Due to scheduling difficulties in the past, the talks, which began in March of 1999, had stopped for five years. But tomorrow’s dialogue was approved of by all parties and was considered extremely important. The issue at hand was the properties of the the Catholic Church which the Israelis began controlling upon its creation in 1948 and was increased with the annexation of East Jerusalem in 1967. Along with that control came property tax which Israel insists upon imposing on the Catholic, and other, churches. The Vatican has called upon Israel to respect agreements it signed in 1948 regarding the property of the Catholic Church... more.. FM Tzipi Livni: Now is not the time for final status talks Jerusalem Post 3/28/2007 "In the current situation it is impossible to reach a political settlement with the Palestinians," Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said n Tuesday night. Livni told Kadima supported at a really in Netanya that the new Palestinian Authority unity government was not abiding by the conditions set by the Quartet and that PA chairman Mahmoud Ababs was "disappointing, especially because he failed to condition the formation of the new Fatah-Hamas coalition on the release of captured IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Schalit." Livni noted that Israel had emphasized to the Palestinians that they still needed to implement the first stage of the road map, which was the abandonment of terror.... a senior Israeli diplomatic official said that... Israel and the Palestinians will begin regular discussions on all aspects of a future Palestinian state except for borders, Jerusalem and refugees. more.. Abbas: Arab plan offers Israel chance to live in ’sea of peace’ Ha’aretz 3/27/2007 The Arab peace plan could be Israel’s last chance to live in a "sea of peace" and should not be squandered, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said on Tuesday." This initiative simply says to Israel ’leave the occupied territories and you will live in a sea of peace that begins in Nouakchott and ends in Indonesia’," he said, referring to the Mauritanian capital in West Africa and the southeast Asian country that is the world’s most populous Muslim country." If this initiative is destroyed, I don’t believe there will be another opportunity in the future like this," he said in an interview with news outlets on Tuesday. Abbas was speaking after arriving in Riyadh for a two-day Arab summit, which starts on Wednesday. more.. U.S. cuts back plan to bolster Abbas’ forces, offers $59 million Ha’aretz 3/27/2007 The United States plans to provide $59 million to strengthen Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas’s presidential guard and support his new national security adviser, an amount that was scaled back from an initial $86. 4 million proposal. The offer was reduced after Abbas joined forces with Hamas in a coalition government in a bid to end factional warfare and ease a Western aid boycott. Another $20 million are earmarked to help fund any future Palestinian elections, infrastructure improvements at the Karni commercial crossing between Gaza and Israel, and other non-security projects, according to U.S. government documents obtained by Reuters on Tuesday. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said the money for Abbas and security adviser Mohammad Dahlan was meant to fuel divisions among Palestinians... more.. ’We’re fighting for Israel’s image’ Jerusalem Post 3/28/2007 "The Justice establishment is conducting a fight over Israel’s image and if we lose, Israel will become a third world country," Attorney General Menahem Mazuz said on Tuesday during a lengthy interview on Channel 1 about the state of Israeli politics in the wake of the numerous corruption scandals that have recently emerged. Mazuz went on to say that, despite the cases of corruption currently making the headlines, Israel was far from a country in which corruption was a part of every day life. Regarding the allegations of embezzlement against Finance Minister Avraham Hirchson, Mazuz said that if he was indicted "it is his duty to quit." "The investigation is set to continue and once things become clear then I need to take a stand," he added. The attorney general did not discount the possibility that Hirchson was being set up by someone... more.. British consul strip searched at Israeli PM’s office The Guardian 3/28/2007 Israel’s foreign ministry has apologised after the British deputy ambassador to Tel Aviv was forced to strip for a security search at the Israeli prime minister’s office. Janet Rogan, who is Britain’s consul general in Tel Aviv, was with a delegation of British Treasury officials, led by Ed Balls, the economic secretary to the Treasury, earlier this month. They arrived at the Jerusalem office of the prime minister, Ehud Olmert, ahead of a meeting with his chief of staff and his political adviser. The names of the visitors had been given in advance, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said yesterday. But security guards ordered Ms Rogan to undergo a physical search, the paper said. She refused and presented her diplomatic identity card. However, she was then made to step behind a partition and to undergo a physical search, which included removing her blouse. more.. FM Livni says Israel agrees to discuss terms of Palestinian state Ha’aretz 3/28/2007 Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told European lawmakers on Tuesday that Israel had agreed "to conduct a dialogue on the conditions for establishing a Palestinian state," according to a ministry statement. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas will hold biweekly meetings mediated by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The American secretary, in making the announcement Tuesday at a Jerusalem press conference, added she would join them "from time to time" to help them along. Her announcement was met with satisfaction from the Prime Minister’s Bureau. "Since a permanent agreement is not possible, we agreed to continue negotiations regarding the future Palestinian state to prevent the dialogue from reaching a deadlock," Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said. more.. Hamas adopts ’ambiguity policy’ on peace initiative Ha’aretz 3/28/2007 Hamas will refrain from expressing its views on the Arab Peace Initiative that members of the Arab League, including the Palestinian Authority, are expected to support during a summit in Riyadh Wednesday. In discussions with Haaretz Tuesday, a number of leading Hamas figures in the Gaza Strip revealed that the organization will adopt a policy of ambiguity on its stance vis-a-vis the peace initiative. However, senior Hamas officials admitted that they are opposed to parts of the initiative relating to a peace agreement with Israel or its recognition. Palestinian sources said Tuesday that Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Meshal has promised Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah not to disrupt the decisions of the summit. The same sources said that the policy of ambiguity stems from concerns that open opposition to the initiative... more.. PA: Arabs should call on Israel to accept Saudi plan unchanged Ha’aretz 3/27/2007 The Palestinians expect the Arab states to call on Israel to accept the Arab Peace Initiative unchanged, sources from the Palestinian delegation to the Riyadh Arab League summit told Haaretz Monday. PLO negotiations chief Saeb Erekat described the initiative on Monday as "one of the most important to the Arab world. A plan that we, the Arabs, must accept." Erekat says there is no room to negotiate over the peace initiative, which was accepted by the Arab League at the Beirut summit in 2002." There will be no negotiations with Israel over the initiative. There is also no demand to alter it by any of the parties," he added. Israel has expressed reservations with some of the elements in the peace initiative, particularly two explosive issues: the refugees and Jerusalem. more.. UN meeting on Middle East peace urges support for new Palestinian Government Electronic Intifada/UN News 3/26/2007 The international community has an obligation to support the new Palestinian National Unity Government without preconditions and to lift the aid restrictions imposed on it, according to participants in a United Nations meeting on Israeli-Palestinian peace. The UN International Meeting in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace, held at the Rome headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on 22-23 March, welcomed the formation of the Government and voiced the hope that the development would allow the international community to restore much-needed economic and humanitarian aid and help to move the peace process forward. The participants emphasized that the decades-old conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians was increasingly becoming a key symbol of a perceived rift between the Western and Islamic societies. more.. Israeli authorities offer to assist in Um An-Nasir disaster Ma’an News Agency 3/27/2007 Bethlehem - Israeli chief of the civil coordination department in the Gaza Strip, Colonel Nir Faris, has offered to give humanitarian assistance to the inhabitants of the Bedouin village of Um An-Nasir where an earth embankment engulfing a sewage reservoir burst on Tuesday. The incident caused a river of waste and mud to flow into the village, killing several people and displacing thousands. Faris said in press release that the Israelis immediately offered to assist to clean up the spillage and transport the injured people to Israeli hospitals for treatment. He proclaimed that such a humanitarian case compels Israel to offer help and they are ready to give it. [end] PA official blames settlers for death of Palestinian shepherd Ha’aretz 3/26/2007 A Palestinian shepherd has been stabbed to death outside the West Bank town of Aqraba, a Palestinian official said on Monday. Jawdat Bani-Jaber, mayor of Aqraba, accused West Bank settlers of being behind the killing. The shepherd disappeared with his flock of sheep late on Sunday night and his body was found on Monday in a valley outside of Aqraba, south of the West Bank city of Nablus." I charge the Israeli settlers with the killing," Bani-Jaber said. "I also blame the Israeli army because several incidents have taken place in Aqraba and the army provides no protection to farmers." Yishai Hollander, a spokesman for the Yesha Council of Settlements, said he was not familiar with the incident." It is natural for them to blame the settlers, but in fact there are enough Arabs killing Arabs," Hollander said. more.. United States embassy in Jerusalem announces it will accept visa applications from Palestinians Ma’an News Agency 3/27/2007 Jerusalem - The United States Consulate General in Jerusalem has issued a press release on Tuesday announcing that it will accept applications for immigrant classification of spouses, children under 18 or parents of U.S. citizens who currently reside in Jerusalem, the West Bank or the Gaza Strip. Immediate relative applications can be filed at the American Consulate in Jerusalem. In order to file for an immigrant visa application for the United States, applicants must prove that they have permission to reside in the consular district and they have been doing so continuously for at least six months. All United States embassies and consulates worldwide stopped accepting immigrant visa applications on the 22nd January 2007, because they were unable to perform the necessary administrative procedures. more.. French consul general visits new Palestinian tourism minister in Bethlehem Ma’an News Agency 3/27/2007 Bethlehem - The new Palestinian minister of tourism, Dr. Khuloud D’eibes, received the French consul general in Jerusalem, Alain Rémy, in her office in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Tuesday. The minister explained to her guest and his accompanying delegates the reality of the Palestinian suffering and the political and economic situation. She clarified that tourism plays an important role in the Palestinians’ life and in enhancing peace and stability in the region. She also applauded the support of the French government to the Palestinians. Meanwhile, from his side, the consul demonstrated his country’s interest in enhancing mutual relations. He also described France’s readiness to open channels of cooperation with the Palestinian tourism ministry and to find ways of working together in the field of tourism. [end] Without justification, Qaddoumi refuses to partake in Arab Summit Ma’an News Agency 3/27/2007 Bethlehem - A source close to the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)’s political department, Farouq Qaddoumi, announced on Tuesday that he will not take part in the Arab League’s council meetings. The source said that Qaddoumi entrusted the Palestinian foreign minister, Ziad Abu Amr, to replace him in the preparatory meetings for the Arab Summit. Qaddoumi, according to the source, participated in the Arab foreign ministers’ meetings in Cairo at the beginning of March. They formulated the decisions related to the Palestinian cause and other Arab affairs such as Arab nations’ future performance and solidarity. In a different regard, Qaddoumi earlier declared that "the problem of the Palestinian refugees can never be settled without their return to their homeland from which they have been displaced." [end] Israel resists Rice plan for talks on peace settlement By Donald Macintyre, The Independent 3/27/2007 Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, postponed a press conference yesterday amid signs of Israeli resistance to her plan for parallel talks on the possible shape of a future settlement of the Middle East conflict. Ms Rice has proposed holding separate talks with the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, and the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, designed to promote "a political horizon" which could define what lay at the end of any putative peace process. But a press conference here at which she was to have outlined the plan after discussions with both Mr Olmert and Mr Abbas was deferred until today, apparently to allow time for further deliberations with the Israeli leadership. The US embassy said, however, that it was only a "timing change". A US official said last night that Mr Olmert agreed to resume face-to-face talks with Mr Abbas... more.. Arab foreign ministers agree to revive Saudi peace plan ’without changes’ Daily Star 3/27/2007 Arab foreign ministers agreed Monday to relaunch a five-year-old plan for peace with Israel at their summit later this week, but without any of the alterations sought by the Jewish state." The Arabs have agreed to reactivate the Arab initiative without changes. We reiterated that all Arab nations will adhere to the initiative as it is," Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdelelah al-Khatib said after a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in the Saudi capital. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said the plan would be presented to the UN and the "Quartet" of Middle East peace brokers for their endorsement. The 2002 peace plan to be re-endorsed at the March 28-29 summit by heads of state offers Israel normal ties with all Arab states in return for full withdrawal from all land occupied in the 1967 war. more.. U.S. plans talks with Israel, PA on Palestinian state Ha’aretz 3/26/2007 The United States is planning to hold separate talks with Israel and the Palestinian Authority aimed at achieving an accord that will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is on a visit to Israel, said Sunday night that the U.S. will hold separate negotiations with the two sides, present questions and request clarifications regarding their positions, in an effort to reach an agreed-upon agenda for the renewal of peace talks. Rice is planning to present the two sides with questions on two main issues: territory and security. According to Rice, it is possible to learn from the experience that has accumulated since the end of negotiations in 2000, particularly with regard to security arrangements. She pointed to the management of the border crossings at Karni and Rafah in the Gaza Strip as examples that should be studied closely. more.. Rafah crossing re-opens on Monday International Middle East Media Center 3/26/2007 The Rafah crossing will be reopened on Monday morning from both sides Palestinian sources reported. Nathmi Muhana, the director of the borders and crossing control in the Palestinian Authority told the Palestinian online daily WAFA that the Rafah crossing, southern Gaza strip, will be open from both sides on Monday morning starting from 9: 00 am till 5:00 PM. the Rafah crossing terminal, Gaza’s sole outlet to the outside world, the crossing has been run by European observers since Israel disengaged from the Gaza Strip in September 2005. An elderly man died and seven other travelers were wounded earlier this month during a crush after at least 5,000 Palestinians gathered at the terminal when it was reopened. Since June 2006, Israel has frequently closed the Rafah crossing terminal for alleged security reasons... more.. Jordan’s Abdullah urges Israel to accept to Arab plan Jerusalem Post 3/26/2007 Jordan’s King Abdullah II urged Israel on Monday to "respond positively" to the Arab peace initiative, saying Israel and the Palestinians should seize the moment to make peace. Abdullah made the comments during talks with visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is touring the region urging Arab leaders to amend their 2002 plan so it can be a basis for a new push for the peace process. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister suggested Monday that Arab leaders would be willing to consider changes in the peace offer. Arab officials said Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt would look at ways to "repackage" the offer during an Arab summit on Wednesday and Thursday in Riyadh. The initiative stipulates full Arab recognition of Israel in return for Israel’s complete withdrawal from lands it captured in the 1967 Mideast war. more.. Palestinian delegation has four point plan for Arab summit Palestine News Network 3/26/2007 President Abbas will be in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh on Tuesday afternoon accompanied by Prime Minister Haniya and a four point plan that includes UN Resolution 194 as part of the Arab Peace Initiative. The entire Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization will also attend the Arab summit, along with its Secretary General, Yasser Abed Rabbo, and a major Palestinian delegation. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ziad Abu Amr, Minister of Finance, Salam Fayyad, Advisor to the President for National Security Affairs, Mohammad Dahlan, head of negotiations in the PLO, Dr. Sa’eb Erekat, and the Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Jamal Al Shubaki, also comprise the Palestinian delegation. The Saudi daily Al Watan quoted Al Shubaki this morning as saying that the Palestinian agenda had four points. more.. Haniyeh will stop in Jordan en route to Riyadh’s Arab Summit Ma’an News Agency 3/26/2007 Amman - The Palestinian ambassador to Jordan, Atallah Khayri, said on Monday that Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh, will stop in Jordan en route to Riyadh to take part in the Arab summit. Khayri said "a plane will carry the prime minister from Al-Arish airport in Egypt to Amman to join the Palestinian delegation headed by president, Mahmoud Abbas. They will leave to Saudi Arabia together." The spokesperson of the Jordanian government, Nasser Judah, told the press that Haniyeh will not be paying an official visit to Jordan. [end] Sources: Arab states may offer to repackage Saudi peace plan Ha’aretz 3/26/2007 Arab countries including Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia may propose repackaging the 2002 Saudi peace initiative, Arab diplomats said Monday in private discussions. The leaders were seeking fresh ways to moderate their position without being seen as giving in to Israeli or American demands to change the offer, said the diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister suggested Monday that Arab leaders would be willing to consider changes in their 2002 peace offer to Israel to make it compatible with new developments. Under the repackaging plan, the Arab leaders would insist Israel accept the initiative in principle before returning to any talks, but would also agree that the Palestinians and Arab countries would be ready to soften their conditions once negotiations began, the diplomats said. more.. We have reports on Israeli captives, UN chief says YNetNews 3/26/2007 Ban Ki-moon, Olmert meet in prime minister’s Jerusalem residence. Ban reiterates international community’s demands of Palestinian unity government, while Olmert praises UN’s changed approach toward Israel -- Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met Monday morning with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at his Jerusalem residence. This is Ban’s first visit to the Middle East as UN chief. The two officials discussed the efforts to set in motion the diplomatic process between Israel and the Palestinians, the Quartet’s stance toward the Palestinian unity government, and the kidnapped Israeli soldiers. At the end of the meeting, the two officials held a joint press conference. We discussed the Palestinians issue and the new PA government, the secretary-general said, adding that the new government must fight violence by halting the firing of rockets from Gaza... more.. Report: Abbas not optimistic on Schalit Jerusalem Post 3/26/2007 The London-based newspaper Al-Hayat reported on Monday that Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas was not optimistic about securing the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Schalit in the near future, Israel Radio reported. Abbas, who spoke during a closed meeting following the establishment of the new PA government, backed up his sentiments by noting that the kidnappers had refused his suggestion that they hand Schalit over to the Egyptians before all aspects of the transaction were completed. He added that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had agreed to the suggestion, but that the kidnappers’ position had prevented it. On Sunday, Abbas told reporters at a press conference following his meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that he was "responsible for releasing Schalit alive"... more.. Rice in talks with Jordan king Al Jazeera 3/26/2007 Condoleeza Rice has arrived in Jordan for talks with King Abdullah to revive Palestinian-Israeli peace talks. The US secretary of state’s visit to Amman comes a day after she met Quartet members and representatives of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt in the Egyptian city of Aswan ahead of the annual Arab League summit in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. In Amman, Rice also met Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, for a second time, and will travel to Jerusalem for another round of talks with Ehud Olmert, the Israeli president. Israelis protest -- In a move to embarrass the Israeli government as Rice visits the region, hundreds of evicted Israeli settlers poured into the West Bank city of Homesh on Monday and said they planned to re-establish a Jewish presence there. more.. Fatah leader in Lebanon meets with Lebanese politician to discuss the refugee camps Ma’an News Agency 3/26/2007 Sidon, Lebanon - The Fatah leader and representative of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) factions in Lebanon, Brigadier Sultan Abu al-Aynayn, has met with the Lebanese politician, Ms. Bahiyeh Al-Hariri, in a visit to Majdal Ayoun. Abu al-Aynayn discussed the situation of the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, in addition to the Palestinian situation in the Palestinian territories, especially after the establishment of a Palestinian national unity government. In regards to the intra-Palestinian dialogue in Lebanon, Abu al-Aynayn noted that there are currently intense meetings taking place between the Palestinian factions and the Palestinian political forces in Lebanon. He added that the matters between these forces and factions are now better than several months ago. [end] Palestinian medical institutions call for a boycott of the Israel Medical Association Ma’an News Agency 3/26/2007 Bethlehem - A number of Palestinian medical and health institutions are calling for restrictive measures to be imposed on the Israel Medical Association for its violation of medical ethics and its collaboration with the Israeli illegal occupation of Palestinian territory. Twenty Palestinian medical institutions issued the following joint statement: Whereas the Israel Medical Association’s (IMA) medical ethics record on torture has been well documented, and the institution has never denounced or seriously confronted the Israeli government on its shameless use of torture; Whereas the IMA has shown blatant disregard for the ethical issue of medical neutrality, with the IMA unconditionally defending the violations of medical neutrality by the Israeli army in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)... more.. European Observers’ Chief at Rafah Crossing Terminal Rethinks Presence International Middle East Media Center 3/26/2007 The head of the European observers at the Rafah crossing terminal, General Pietro Pistolese, said Sunday that if Israel continues closure of the Rafah crossing terminal in the southern Gaza Strip, his mission might rethink the presence of 70 observers there. Pistolese was speaking in an interview with an Israeli daily. The EU official said that the EU’s presence at the crossing has been part of the EU’s investment for the advancement of peace between the Palestinians and Israelis. He said that for Israel to help this investment is useful, as it should keep the crossing opened. Pistolese denied Israeli claims that the crossing has been used for smuggling weapons to the Gaza Strip and said he had no knowledge that some Palestinians made their ways to neighboring countries for training. more.. Dr Barghouthi condemns the Israeli settlers’ return to Hormesh Ma’an News Agency 3/26/2007 Ramallah-Ma’an- Palestinian minister of information and official spokesperson of the unity government, Dr Mustafa Barghouthi condemned on Monday the return of the Israeli settlers to Hormesh settlement in Jenin in the northern West Bank. Barghouthi said in a statement, which Ma’an received, that the settlers’ return was carried on under coverage and protection of the Israeli army. He added that "the Palestinian government considers that return a very dangerous act which confirms the Israeli government’s intention to end any peace opportunity, or any chance to establish a Palestinian sovereign state." [end] -- See also: Protected by the army, Israeli settlers return to Homesh settlement in the northern West Bank Left-wing MKs talk with Palestinians at occupied Hebron buildings Ha’aretz 3/26/2007 MKs Dov Khenin (Hadash) and Avshalom Vilan (Meretz) visited on Sunday the Hebron building occupied by settlers and talked with Palestinians claiming the premises belonged to them. Peace Now activists held a demonstration nearby, protesting the settlers’ weeklong occupation of the site. In addition, a group of Palestinians have set up a tent camp near the building in protest. IDF and police forces had tried to prevent the protesters and the MKs among them from approaching the area. The authorities had threatened to declare the area a closed military zone before finally allowing the visit. Vilan talked to the wife of Fayez Rajbi, who claims to own the building. She and members of her family told Vilan they had bought the property 12 years ago. Majdi Jabri, a construction worker who built the building, said construction had been halted after the second Intifada broke out. more.. US Secretary General meets president Abbas in Ramallah International Middle East Media Center 3/25/2007 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon met on Sunday in Ramallah, in the northern part of the west Bank, with the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, and expressed his shock over the harsh living conditions the Palestinians are facing under occupation, Wall, settlements and checkpoints, and said that peace talks on final status solutions should be launched. Before his meeting with Abbas, Ki-Moon visited Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, observed the harsh living conditions of the refugees, and managed to take a close look at the Israeli Annexation Wall from a rooftop of a local school in the camp. He stated that this wall divides the people, places them in isolated cantons and does not serve, in any way, the peace process in the Middle East. This is his first visit to the region since he became the UN Secretary-general. more.. Abbas to enlist Arab moderates’ help’ Jerusalem Post 3/25/2007 Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Sunday explored practical ways of getting moderate Arab states involved in Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, Abbas aides said. The proposals are still in their early stages, said advisers Yasser Abed Rabbo and Saeb Erekat. One idea is to appoint a committee at next week’s Arab Summit in Saudi Arabia, the aides said. The group, likely to be headed by Saudi Arabia, would lead efforts to revive a 2002 Arab peace initiative that calls for an Israeli withdrawal from all lands it occupied in the 1967 Mideast War, including the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, in exchange for Arab recognition. Such a committee could then work with members of the Quartet of Mideast mediators... as well as the Palestinians and Israel... more.. UN Secretary General in Aida Camp Palestine News Network 3/25/2007 The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, was in Aida Refugee Camp today. He condemned the Wall that now runs along its northern side on confiscated lands “This is a cause of pain and suffering,” he said, “and a major obstacle to the peace process in the Middle East. ”Ki-moon also saw the state of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency Girls’ School in the northern Bethlehem refugee camp. Although it has largely been repaired, there are some fresh bullet holes. He spoke with several students, none of whom were shy about telling him of the tear gas they have inhaled with their sandwiches on many occasions. The UN Secretary General was surrounded by his own security and Palestinian security forces, officials and residents. Bethlehem’s Governor, Salah Tamari, attempted to explain sense of imprisonment... more.. Israel seeks friends through MySpace page The Guardian 3/24/2007 A 58-year-old Jerusalem woman is not a typical MySpace user - the hugely popular social networking site is inhabited mostly by people at least 30 years younger. But the profile she is reading is a profile with a difference: it represents the entire state of Israel. Officials hope that running a MySpace page dedicated to Israel will help improve relations with people from other countries, and increase awareness and communication with those under 35. The idea belongs to David Saranga, a diplomat based at the Israeli consulate in New York. Mr Saranga said research had shown Israel’s image among the young was not good, and that by reaching out through one of the internet’s most popular sites he could repair some of the damage. "We saw that we had a problem with the 18 to 35 age group..." more.. Islamist Media Review #2: Al-Qaeda and Hamas Conflicts Forum 3/25/2007 The “Council Assembly of Mujahidin ” — the anti-American alliance in Iraq led by Al-Qaeda — declared on October 15, 2006, the establishment of an Islamic State of Iraq in the central and western regions of the country.... It is clear that Hamas is not going to go back away from its position. The criticism from Al-Qaeda is not confined to the Mecca Agreement as much as it is addressed comprehensively to the political course being pursued by Hamas. This is a clear statement in opposition to the principle of political settlements. To what extent Al-Zawahiri’s criticism might be have weight depends on the ability of the new Palestinian national unity government [which] depends on the positions that Western, and in particular, European governments, take towards the new Palestinian unity government. If this government fails, it will be much harder for Islamists to argue against Al-Zawahiri. more.. U.S., Israel at Odds Over Palestinian Coalition Forward 3/23/2007 Washington - The Bush administration has dealt Jerusalem and its allies a series of unexpected policy defeats regarding the formation of the new Palestinian unity government. Israel’s Cabinet decided earlier this week to boycott members of the Palestinian Authority governing coalition, and the pro-Israel lobby in the United States has called on the White House to do the same. In stark contrast, Bush administration officials are opening up a dialogue with moderate members of the P. A. coalition. In another setback for some of Israel’s staunchest allies in Washington, the State Department is renewing its attempt to win approval of an aid package for P. A. President Mahmoud Abbas. In still another, lawmakers narrowed the scope of an anti-Palestinian letter that is being circulated in the Senate. The defeats come as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the main pro-Israel lobby, is coming under intense attack from liberal critics,. more.. Tentative moves toward new Palestine government By Jim Lobe, Electronic Intifada 3/23/2007 As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice makes her seventh visit to the Middle East in the last eight months, that is the question that foreign policy analysts and diplomats here are asking, and the answers are as yet far from clear. Is the administration committed to resuming a genuine peace process designed to fill out the "political horizon" of a final settlement to which both Israel and the Palestinians, including Hamas, will be willing to commit? Or is it merely "going through the motions" in order to satisfy demands by Saudi Arabia and Washington’s other Sunni-led allies in the region for the appearance of a viable peace process, as their price for forging a broad alliance against what one administration briefer this week referred to as "the Quartet of Evil" -- Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, and Hamas itself." My sense is that something is moving," said Daniel Levy, an Israeli expert... more.. Soros and Media Heavyweights Attack Pro-Israel Lobby’s Influence on U.S. Policy Forward 3/23/2007 Washington - The simmering debate over American policy toward Israel and the role of the Jewish community in shaping it exploded with near-nuclear force this week. Several of the nation’s best-known international affairs commentators fired salvos at pro-Israel lobbyists and defenders of Israel fired back with unprecedented fury. n the space of three days, major critiques of Jewish lobbying were published by controversial billionaire George Soros, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Nicholas Kristof, the respected British newsmagazine The Economist and the popular Web site Salon. The replies were furious. The New York Sun accused Kristof and Soros of spreading a “new blood libel. ” The American Jewish Committee’s executive director, David Harris, wrote in a Jerusalem Post opinion article that Kristof had a “blind spot” and had “sanctimoniously lectured” Israel. more.. Christians plan ’Jerusalem Assembly’ YNetNews 3/26/2007 Over 200 Evangelical Christians will arrive in Israel to celebrate capital’s reunification -- Over 200 Evangelical Christians from around the world will arrive in Israel on Tuesday to launch ’the Jerusalem Assembly,’ a three-day marathon of events designed to celebrate the capital’s eunification some 40 years ago. The event has been organized by the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus (KCAC), in conjunction with the Texas-based Christian Covenant Alliances, a press release said. "Celebrating the nearly forty years since the reunification of Jerusalem, Covenant Alliances will bring a delegation of more than two hundred Christian Zionist leaders for the US. , Canada, England Africa and Israel who will highlight their love and dedication to the State of Israel," the statement said. more.. Blue eyes, blond hair: that’s US problem, says Japanese minister The Guardian 3/22/2007 Taro Aso, Japan’s foreign minister, risked upsetting his country’s strongest ally by suggesting US diplomats in the Middle East would never solve the region’s problems because they have "blue eyes and blond hair". Mr Aso, a straight-talking nationalist, said the Japanese, on the other hand, were trusted because they had "yellow faces" and had "never been involved in exploitation there, or been involved in fights or fired machine guns". Japan has healthy relations with Arab countries and Iran and imports much of its oil from the Middle East. It is a big contributor of aid to the Palestinian Authority, but also has friendly ties with Israel. "Japan is doing what Americans can’t do," local media quoted Mr Aso as saying in a speech about Japan-sponsored investment in the Middle East. more.. Rafah crossing closed suddenly on Tuesday as EU monitors prevented from attending work Ma’an News Agency 3/13/2007 Khan Younis - The Israeli forces closed the Rafah crossing between the southern Gaza Strip and Egypt suddenly on Tuesday. The spokesman for the crossings and the presidential guards, Wael Thahab, said that the Israeli authorities prevented the European monitors from arriving at the crossing on Tuesday, without giving any justification. Thaed said that this action caused the closure of the crossing. Rafah crossing had been scheduled to be open for 3 days from Monday to Wednesday in both directions. Yesterday, 1,300 travelers were able to pass through the crossing without any problems, thanks to the security measures which prevented overcrowding. [end] Committees agree to skip word ’war’ in naming war in Lebanon Ha’aretz 3/14/2007 Though it is not yet clear who will give the official name to last summer’s war in Lebanon, both possible committees founded for that purpose oppose using the word "war" in the name. On Monday, Defense Minister Amir Peretz announced he had appointed a public committee headed by attorney David Libai to recommend a name for the war. The committee, which will start meeting on Friday, will submit its eventual recommendation to the cabinet. However, Minister Without Portfolio Jacob Edery (Kadima), who heads the ministerial committee on ceremonies and symbols, plans to convene his committee next Monday to choose a name for the war. Since a ministerial committee’s decision is like a cabinet decision, this could circumvent the Libai Committee.... On omitting the word "war" from the name, Edery explains "according to the cabinet decision, this was a campaign, and we can’t change this." more.. PM’s AIPAC speech surprises delegates Jerusalem Post 3/14/2007 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert waded into the thick of America’s messy political debate on Iraq late Monday night when he told thousands of AIPAC supporters that "premature" withdrawal from the country could harm Israel and efforts against Iran. Olmert stressed that he didn’t want "to enter American politics" with his comments and that they didn’t stem from his strong personal friendship with US President George W. Bush. But the move was a sharp departure from Israel’s recent policy of saying little on the war in Iraq and avoiding any display of partisanship. It comes at a time when the Democrats have been harshly critical of the White House’s handling of the effort and most voices backing a long-term US presence come from the Bush administration and its supporters. more.. U.S. envoy: We won’t stop Israel talking to Syria Ha’aretz 3/14/2007 The United States is not preventing Israel for holding negotiations with Syria and the decision on whether to proceed on this matter is in the hands of the Israeli government, according to U.S. Ambassador Richard Jones speaking to a group of academics at the Davis Institute for International Affairs at the Hebrew University on Monday. The U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv refused to comment on the ambassador’s statements, saying that the meeting was a closed forum. However, the deputy press attache at the embassy, Geoff Anisman, said on Tuesday, "we are unaware that any U.S. official has ever expressed an opinion on what Israel should or should not do with regard to Syria." Ambassador Jones.... told the crowd of academics that in all the meetings in which he took part there was never a demand that Israel avoid contacts with Syria. more.. Saudis: Israel must accept peace initiative unconditionally YNetNews 3/13/2007 Saudi FM says Israel trying to avoid just peace by refusing to accept 2002 Arab peace initiative in its entirety -- Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Saud al-Faisal slammed reports that Israel is seeking to revise the language of a Saudi peace initiative adopted by the Arab League in Beirut in 2002. ’’We have no desire to negotiate over this,’’ said al-Faisal in a joint press conference with EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Javier Solana in Riyadh. ’’They accept the resolution and then they talk about putting preconditions that should be accepted before negotiations or discussions or even the acceptance of the proposal. This is not a good way to do business. ’’ more.. Arab leaders rule out amending Saudi proposal Ha’aretz 3/13/2007 With Israeli leaders showing renewed interest in a regional peace plan, heavyweight Arab countries said Tuesday the land-for-peace offer should not be changed during an Arab summit in Saudi Arabia later this month. Last week, the Arab League said it would relaunch the 2002 initiative in an effort to end the decades-long conflict with Israel. But Arab leaders said the peace deal would not include changes Israel has been pushing for. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has said that Israel would not accept the Arab peace plan as it is, but would ask that any reference be dropped on the issue of the right of the Palestinians displaced in the 1948 War of Independence to return to their homes inside Israel. On Sunday, Prime Minster Ehud Olmert told his Cabinet he was prepared to treat the Saudi proposal seriously. more.. Palo Dutch Concept Factory returns to Ramallah By Arjan El Fassed, Electronic Intifada 3/13/2007 The Palo-Dutch Concept Factory has a clear core business: generating ideas, for campaigning in the broadest sense. These ideas are born in Ramallah, Palestine. Young Palestinians coaching (and are being coached by) Dutch experienced advertising and PR experts. Generating ideas such as "Send a Friend" (connecting schoolkids in Palestine and the Netherlands), "Sell the Wall" (how to create awareness and involvement of mainstream Dutch with the Wall) and "Palovision", the Palestinian entry for the Eurovision Song Competition in 2008, a mix of humor, irony, implicit politics and smart use of Dutch media, the Palo Dutch Concept Factory organizes its next workshop in Ramallah on May 4, 5 and 6, 2007. "If you want to win sympathy and support for Palestine, as we do, Holland is a relatively tough country for campaigning..." more.. UNESCO: Dig not harming Temple Mount Jerusalem Post 3/13/2007 The UNESCO report on the controversial Antiquities Authority excavation near the Temple Mount has concluded that it is not damaging the holy site. Nevertheless, the report calls on Israel to suspend the dig to allow for international observation, Israeli officials said on Tuesday. The report is expected to be presented to UNESCO’s director-general, Koichiro Matsuura, on Wednesday. The report, which was compiled by a four-member team that visited the site last month, finds that the excavation was being done with complete transparency, and in no way damages the Temple Mount, according to Israeli officials. At the same time, the report concludes that Israel should have consulted with all relevant parties ahead of the dig - referring to UNESCO and the Wakf (Islamic trust) that administers the Mount. more.. Excavations in Jerusalem have political goals Palestine News Network 3/13/2007 From the Palestinian Antiquities Ministry, Dr. Yousef Natsheh, said that the Israeli announcement at discovering a Jewish population in the Shu’fat neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem “does not add much” to the area that has been inhabited by various civilizations for thousands of years. “We have to wonder about the accuracy and validity of the information and whether the discovery is political or academic. ” Dr. Natsheh noted that the Israeli Antiquities Ministry has been digging in Shu’fat area for years and on Shu’fat Street since February. “It is clear,” he told PNN on Tuesday, “that this announcement has political objectives. ” It is noteworthy that this round of drilling is the third in 10 years, of which the second phase revealed “roots that could have been researched," said Dr. Natsheh. more.. PFLP calls for ending secret negotiations with the Israelis Ma’an News Agency 3/13/2007 Gaza - The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) on Tuesday called for ending secret negotiations with the Israeli occupation. The PFLP depicted those who conduct such negotiations as "a bunch of corrupt people." A member of the PFLP’s central committee, Jamil Muzhir, commented on reports in the media of secret negotiations, saying that "these negotiations have proven for ten years to be unable to achieve any of the Palestinian peoples’ goals, namely; freedom and independence." Muzhir added that "relying on arbitrary negotiations with the occupation will not bring about anything but the destruction of the Palestinian peoples’ cause." He warned against "using this method of negotiations, which serves only the interests of the Israeli occupation... more.. ’Hamas members training in Iran’ Jerusalem Post 3/13/2007 Hamas has sent dozens of its members to Iran to receive military training, and hundreds more are preparing to go, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Yuval Diskin told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday. Diskin told the panel the training was part of a trend of Hamas and Islamic Jihad strengthening their ties with Teheran." These men who have been sent to Iran for training are not training for periods of a week, two weeks or a month, but for long-term, high-quality training," he said. "They are returning with knowledge of intelligence and weaponry that they did not have before." While only Hamas members were currently going to Iran for training, Islamic Jihad was also interested in deepening ties with Iran in order to strengthen its militia in the Gaza Strip. more.. Livni to AIPAC: U.S. can’t show weakness on Iraq, Iran Ha’aretz 3/13/2007 WASHINGTON, D. C. - Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Monday warned the U.S. not to show weakness in Iraq, during an address to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington, D. C. In a region where "impressions are important," said Livni, countries must be careful not to demonstrate weakness and surrender to extremists." If we appease the extremists - if they feel that we are backing down - they will sense victory and become more dangerous not only to the region, but to the world," she said. "This applies to the decisions made on Iran, it is true for Iraq, and it is true across the Middle East." The comments could be construed as expressing support for the Bush administration’s policy of toughing out a war that is increasingly unpopular domestically. more.. Israel warns EU concessions on Hamas will lead to ’more terror’ Ha’aretz 3/13/2007 OTTAWA - Israel cautioned the European Union on Monday against going soft on a Palestinian government including the Islamist group Hamas, saying this could lead to "more terror." Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, on a visit to Canada, made the remarks to reporters three days after EU leaders welcomed an agreement in Mecca last month between Hamas and the moderate Fatah to form a unity government." If somebody thinks that Hamas, while not recognizing Israel, while using terror not in order to create a Palestinian state but to demolish the Jewish one... can be partners to something, they are wrong," she said." In a way this can lead to more stagnation at least, or to more terror." The EU leaders said after a meeting in Brussels that they were ready to work with a Palestinian government that adopted a platform reflecting principles laid down by the Quartet... more.. Olmert and Abbas talks achieve little The Independent 3/12/2007 Ehud Olmert, Israel’s Prime Minister, and Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President, failed to make any progress when they met for more than two hours yesterday. An Israeli official described the summit, their second in a month, as constructive, but the two leaders had nothing to show but a token, "goodwill" extension of operating hours at the Karni freight crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip. The terminal, Gaza’s lifeline, can be closed again whenever Israel deems it necessary for security or other reasons. Mr Olmert is refusing to deal with the new Palestinian government unless it recognises Israel, renounces violence and honours past agreements. But he told his cabinet earlier yesterday that he was ready to "treat seriously" a 2002 Saudi Arabian initiative offering a comprehensive peace in return for Israeli withdrawal... more.. Livni calls for normalization first, peace later Daily Star 3/13/2007 Israel urged Arab states on Monday to normalize ties now, saying this could hasten the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and cautiously welcomed a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace proposal. The comments by Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi came amid reports of "secret talks" between Israel and the Palestinians on reviving the peace process. "Do not wait for peace to come before you normalize relations with us. Normalize relations now and peace will come," she told Arab countries in a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a powerful pro-Israel lobbying group. "You have the power to change reality and to encourage the Palestinians to embrace coexistence," she added.... Israeli leaders are voicing hope that an upcoming gathering of Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia could produce a breakthrough in long-stalled peace efforts. more.. President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert agree to hold regular meetings Palestine News Network 3/12/2007 The meeting between President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert held in Jerusalem on Sunday evening ended as expected, without results. However, said the head of negotiations in the Palestine Liberation Organization, Dr. Sa’eb Erekat, “Do not underestimate the importance of the meeting. ” President Abbas and the Israeli Prime Minister agreed to meet on a regular basis. “But as we said from the outset,” reiterated Dr. Erekat, “no results were expected because we do not want to raise hopes. ” The head of negotiations told a press conference in Ramallah, “We cannot say that the meeting was negative. It was frank and in-depth, and not without difficulties and controversial points. ”.... “President Abbas told Olmert that the priority was to stop internal Palestinian security problems for the sake of the higher interests of the Palestinian people..." more.. Hamas demands release of 42 imprisoned Palestinian officials Palestine News Network 3/12/2007 Legislative Council member Ahmed Mubarak was arrested today for the third time since the Israeli campaign against members of the Hamas party in Palestinian government began in early Summer 2006. Speaker of the PLC, Dr. Abdel Azziz Al Dweik, will spend at least another month in Israeli Mejido Prison after his sentence was extended yesterday. The 42 officials currently in Israeli prisons are most often not charged with any crime, arrested for their political affiliation and office. Dr. Al Dweik addressed the court in English yesterday, criticizing the Israelis for the continual attack on legitimate government. The Hamas party is calling on human rights and legal institutions, as well as foreign parliaments, to exert pressure on the Israelis to stop targeting members of Palestinian Parliament. more.. Palestinian prisoners’ families optimistic that a prisoners’ exchange may be imminent Ma’an News Agency 3/12/2007 Gaza - The families of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel expressed on Monday their optimism that a prisoners’ exchange could be imminent following the Abbas-Olmert meeting on Sunday, in which the prisoners’ issue was high on the agenda. During a march in the southern Gaza Strip, the families called for the release of long-term prisoners, children and female prisoners. They also demanded that the new Palestinian coalition government be established as quickly as possible in order to speed up a prisoners’ exchange. The march started at the Red Cross’ headquarters in Gaza City and headed to the Saraya junction. Placards were held calling for more attention to be paid to the prisoners’ cause. more.. Olmert asks Abbas to concede right of return YNetNews 3/12/2007 Livni: Burden of proof lies on Abbas -- Prime minister, Palestinian president agree that Saudi initiative could serve as basis for talks, but continue to disagree on issues of right of return, Jerusalem, prisoner release and settlements. Palestinian source says Abbas’ meeting with Olmert was difficult, but adds he is optimistic -- Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed Sunday that the Saudi initiative could serve as a basis for promoting a diplomatic process ahead of the implementation of the Road Map. The two, however, did not agree on the issues of the right of return, Jerusalem, prisoner release and the settlements.... Both Olmert and Abbas don’t plan to address these difficult questions regarding a permanent solution at this stage. more.. German cardinal sorry for ghetto remarks Ha’aretz 3/11/2007 The head of the German Bishops Conference conceded that some statements made by members on a recent visit to Israel and the West Bank were "inappropriate." Cardinal Karl Lehmann responded a few days ago to a letter sent to him by Avner Shalev, chairman of the Yad Vashem Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Authority, protesting a statement made a short time after the group visited Yad Vashem earlier this month, and then traveled to Ramallah. "In the morning we saw the Warsaw Ghetto and now it’s the Ramallah Ghetto," one of the bishops said. "In light of the painful reality of the separation fence," Lehman wrote in his letter to Shalev, "some of the members of the delegation said harsh things, some of which were not appropriate." In his letter Lehmann reiterated the heavy responsibility the German people bear due to the Holocaust... more.. U.S. campaign calls for major divestment from Iran Ha’aretz 3/13/2007 WASHINGTON - The effort to apply economic pressure on the regime in Tehran through divestment has intensified in the United States. The pressure, which involves divestment on the part of international firms, is being carried out in parallel with continuous efforts at the United Nations Security Council to impose a second round of sanctions against Iran in response to its failure to abide by the world body’s call to end uranium enrichment. Various Israeli sources and the pro-Israel lobby, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), are also contributing to the efforts, particularly through specific legislation in various American states where pension funds hold stock in firms invested in Iran. The economic sanctions against Iran are being pursued on a number of fronts simultaneously. more.. Early withdrawal from Iraq disastrous for Israel, Cheney says YNetNews 3/12/2007 US vice president tells AIPAC conference, ‘If Iran’s allies prevail, threat to our friends in Middle East will only be magnified. ’ Netanyahu to reporters in Washington: Legislation can be advanced in US to prevent money from being indirectly channeled to Tehran -- WASHINGTON – An early US withdrawal from Iraq would have ‘disastrous’ consequences for Israel, US Vice President Dick Cheney told an AIPAC conference on Monday. “Friends owe it to friends to be as candid as possible, so let me say that a precipitous American withdrawal from Iraq would be a disaster for the United States and the entire Middle East,” he said. “It’s not hard to imagine what could occur if our coalition withdrew before Iraqis could defend themselves. If Sunni extremists prevailed, al Qaeda and its allies would recreate the safe haven they lost in Afghanistan..." more.. Missing Iranian general’s family suspects Israel YNetNews 3/12/2007 The family of Ali Reza Asgari , the Iranian general and former deputy defense minister who disappeared from Turkey last month, snubbed recent newspaper reports claiming he defected to the West and insisted instead that he was kidnapped by foreign agents. His wife Ziba Asgari, 46, contended Western reports that Asgari was a spy and smuggled his family out of Iran prior to his escape. “We are here. Those are mere rumors being spread by the enemies,” she said. His 20-year-old daughter Alham told journalists she was certain Israel or the United States kidnapped him, as they are Iran’s main enemies. “My father worked hard for the regime and he had many enemies due to his position,” she was quoted by Fars, the Iranian news agency. -- See also: Defector spied on Iran for years - report more.. Defector spied on Iran for years - report YNetNews 3/11/2007 Sunday Times quotes Iranian sources as saying that the general who defected to West last month had been spying on Iran since 2003; his escape took several months to arrange, they add. ‘He probably was working for Mossad,’ Israeli defense official says. Asgari believed to be undergoing debriefing at Nato base in Germany -- An Iranian general who defected to the West last month had been spying on Iran since 2003 when he was recruited on an overseas business trip, the online edition of The Sunday Times quoted Iranian sources as saying. This weekend Brigadier General Ali Reza Asgari, 63, the former deputy defense minister, is understood to be undergoing debriefing at a Nato base in Germany after he escaped from Iran, followed by his family, the UK-based newspaper said. “He probably was working for Mossad but believed he was working for a European intelligence..." -- See also: Missing Iranian general’s family suspects Israel more.. Military action against Iran would backfire on Israel, report warns The Independent 3/12/2007 Military action against Iran would backfire against Israel, which in turn would face "dire and far-reaching" consequences, a leading British foreign policy think-tank believes. Chatham House says in a report that it is "widely assumed" that preparations are "well under way" in both America and Israel for military action against targets related to Iran’s nuclear programme. The report by Yossi Mekelberg examines the possible responses by Iran, which may retaliate with massive ballistic missile attacks on Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv or Haifa, resulting in "substantial loss of life". Israel’s relations with moderate Arab states would also be harmed, as any military attack would be seen as an offensive against the Muslim world and would fuel Islamic extremism. "An Israeli military operation against Iran would hurt Israel’s long-term interests..." more.. Yemeni President Reiterates Support for a Palestinian State International Middle East Media Center 3/12/2007 In a meeting with Hamas’s political bureau chief Khaled Mash’al, in the Yemeni capital of San’a, President of Yemen Ali Abdullah Saleh reiterated full support for the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. President Saleh emphasized the significance of Palestinian national unity, in a way that allows the entire Palestinian people to encounter challenges and end the Israeli occupation of their lands. Khaled Mash’al, from his part, briefed the Yemeni President on the latest developments including the current efforts to form a unity government. Mash’al expressed hope that the upcoming Arab states summit, slated for late March in the Saudi Arabia, would produce decisions that back the steadfastness of the Palestinian people at these times. Arab states are expected to hold an ordinary summit meeting by late March in Saudi Arabia... more.. Zawahiri blasts Hamas over unity government Middle East Online 3/12/2007 Al-Qaeda number two accuses Palestinian Islamist movement of handing over greater part of Palestine to Jews. -- Al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri on Sunday accused the Islamist Hamas movement of surrendering to Israel by agreeing to form a Palestinian unity government, in a sound recording broadcast by Al-Jazeera. "Today... the direction taken by Hamas has handed over to the Jews the greater part of Palestine," Zawahiri said. "Hamas has joined the surrender train of (Anwar) Sadat," the Egyptian president assassinated by Islamists in 1981 after signing a 1979 peace treaty with Israel. "Hamas has sold out so it can keep a hold of a third of government," Zawahiri said in extracts of the statement aired by the Qatar-based Arabic satellite TV channel. more.. Proposed canal to run between Red Sea and Dead Sea Ma’an News Agency 3/12/2007 Dead Sea (Maans)Ramallah - The natural resources committee within the Palestinian Legislative Council on Monday heard the testimony of director of the Palestinian hydrologic society, Dr Abdutr-Rahman Tamimi, on a proposed canal that will run between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea. Dr Tamimi pointed out the importance of maintaining a balance of sovereignty for all parties and the importance of conducting a Palestinian survey showing the economic and social benefits of the canal in terms of future Palestinian plans. Dr Tamimi also recommended awaiting the results of the survey, which the international bank is conducting. He added that the project reflects an international and regional plan to encourage the private sector to be involved in conflict resolution. more.. Giraffe suffocated by Israeli tear gas in Qalqilia to be shown at exhibition in Germany Ma’an News Agency 3/12/2007 Qalqilia - A stuffed giraffe from Qalqilia’s scientific museum will be shown at an exhibition in Germany. The giraffe died in 2002 as a result of Israeli incursions into occupied Palestinian West Bank cities, as part of a military operation called ’operation defensive shield’. The giraffe was suffocated by tear gas that the Israeli forces shot arbitrarily and in huge amounts. The giraffe was stuffed and kept in the scientific museum of Qalqilia. When a German artist, Fredrick, visited the museum, he sought permission to transport the giraffe to Germany in order to show it in an exhibition, which will be seen by millions of people. The administration of the museum accepted the offer and began making preparations for the delivery of the giraffe in a wooden box to Germany. [end] Hamas, Fatah back Abbas bid to extend cease-fire Ha’aretz 3/9/2007 Hamas and Fatah both support Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ bid to extend the cease-fire with Israel from Gaza to the West Bank, but Islamic Jihad does not agree, Haaretz has learned. Abbas nevertheless plans to propose an expanded cease-fire to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at their meeting on Sunday, in exchange for Israeli noninterference with the Palestinian unity government that is due to be formed next week - including not urging Western countries to boycott it. Abbas and PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh met on Tuesday with representatives of various Palestinian factions and presented the idea to them, and on Wednesday, Abbas’ chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, met with representatives of the five largest factions in Gaza. But while Hamas and Fatah both accepted the idea, Islamic Jihad refused. more.. Siniora stresses need for Israel to stop violating Lebanese sovereignty Daily Star 3/9/2007 BEIRUT: Premier Fouad Siniora stressed Thursday the need to halt Israeli violations of Leba-non’s sovereignty, calling for the full implementation of the Security Council Resolution 1701." We need to reach a permanent cease-fire," Siniora told his Italian counterpart Romano Prodi in a telephone call. He had phoned Prodi to discuss Lebanese-Italian relations and the latest developments in Lebanon and the region. They also discussed ways to fully implement Resolution 1701 and how to reach a permanent cease-fire with Israel. Siniora’s call came a few days before the Security Council is expected to issue a report outlining the two sides’ implementation of Resolution 1701. Later in the day, Siniora met with Lebanese Army commander General Michel Suleiman for talks on the security situation in the country. [end] Carter stands firm on apartheid accusations against Israel Ha’aretz 3/8/2007 Despite the storm it ignited, former U.S. president Jimmy Carter held fast on Thursday to his accusation that Israel oppresses the Palestinians on the West Bank and Gaza and seeks to colonize their land. Speaking at The George Washington University to a polite but mostly critical student audience, Carter offered no second thoughts on his book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid that prompted 14 members of the Carter Center’s advisory board to resign and drew fire from Jewish groups and some fellow Democrats. He said he was not accusing Israel of racism nor referring to its treatment of Arabs within the country. "I defined apartheid very carefully as the forced segregation by one people of another on their own land," he said...." The life of Palestinians is almost intolerable," he said...." They have no real freedom [at] all..." more.. Syrian to testify before Knesset foreign affairs panel on secret peace talks Ha’aretz 3/8/2007 United States-based Syrian businessman Abe Soliman, who represented the Syrian position in the "Swiss channel" secret talks on a peace agreement with Israel, will testify before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on April 12 in order to update lawmakers on the discussions. Knesset committees generally do not hear testimony from foreign nationals, and this is the first time that the representative of a hostile state has been called to testify. The Israeli representative to the talks, former Foreign Ministry director-general Alon Liel, will also testify during the committee hearing..... Nicholas Lang, the Swiss diplomat who acted as the contact between the Israeli participants and the Syrian regime, was summoned to Washington and updated senior State Department and National Security Council officials on the details of the talks and their results. more.. EU: New PA gov’t must clearly state recognition of Israel Ha’aretz 3/8/2007 The new Palestinian unity government must clearly state that it recognizes Israel, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Javier Solana said Thursday." There are many ways whereby you can express the recognition of Israel," Solana told The Associated Press. "I am not going to define what is the manner that would be the most appropriate, that’s for them to decide, but in any case it has to be sufficiently clear that statement can be read and not only imagined." Solana spoke in an interview before an EU summit where French President Jacques Chirac was expected to press other European leaders to support the Palestinian efforts to form a coalition government. Officials at the two-day summit were also expected to discuss Iran’s nuclear program as the UN Security Council consults on additional sanctions after Tehran ignored a new ultimatum to stop uranium enrichment last month. more.. Iranian envoy briefs Franjieh on outcome of talks with Saudi Arabia Daily Star 3/9/2007 ZGHORTA: Suleiman Franjieh, the head of the Marada Party and a former interior minister, met with the Iranian ambassador Thursday for talks on the outcome of a recent Saudi-Iranian summit in Riyadh. Franjieh received Ambassador Mohammad Reza Shibani at his residence in Bnashii, in northern Zghorta. Shibani told Franjieh Iran and Saudi Arabia were "determined" to help Lebanon resolve the current political deadlock." Even though the summit has ended, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iran are still collaborating on efforts to help the Lebanese overcome the crisis," the ambassador said. Shibani added that the best resolution to the three-month-old deadlock "is in the hands of both the Lebanese and their politicians." Iran is "ready" to "endorse and support" any solution agreed by all Lebanese parties, he added. more.. Deal for Gilad Schalit release with Hamas ’all but finished’ Jerusalem Post 3/8/2007 An agreement has been reached with Hamas over the number of prisoners Israel will release in return for Cpl. Gilad Schalit and the exchange may take place in the coming weeks, The Jerusalem Post has learned. According to defense officials, the prisoner swap will be conducted in three stages: Israel will first release prisoners as a gesture to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas; Schalit will then be released into Egyptian custody; and Israel will then release several hundred additional prisoners, mostly affiliated with Hamas." The details have been agreed upon and the last issues are being wrapped up," one senior official said. According to the officials, the Egyptian military delegation in the Gaza Strip led by General Burhan Hamed has played a key role in mediating between Israel and Hamas... more.. PLC: Israel’s policy of abducting elected representatives is undemocratic Ma’an News Agency 3/7/2007 Khan Younis - The Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) affirmed on Wednesday that any new Palestinian government must lay precise and appropriate foundations for establishing a comprehensively efficient system. This system must take into account the security, economy and management of the Palestinian executive, judicial and legislative institutions. Once these institutions are run appropriately, they will then be able to accomplish the role they have to play in offering the Palestinian people the best service possible, the PLC said. In a statement commemorating Palestinian Democracy Day, the PLC said, "The PLC has for 11 years presented its role and activities on Palestinian Democracy Day; [the PLC] embodies the slogan of ’democracy is not ’doable’ without elections,’ which are the soul and unchangeable principles of democracy in Palestine." more.. Israel responds cautiously to PA offer of truce for end to boycott Ha’aretz 3/7/2007 Israel responded cautiously Wednesday to a Palestinian offer for a complete cease-fire if Jerusalem supports an end to the international aid boycott imposed on the Palestinians following Hamas’ victory in the January 2006 parliamentary elections. A senior Hamas official told Haaretz on Tuesday that if Israel agrees to persuade the international community not to boycott the new Palestinian unity government, the Palestinians "will offer a promise from Hamas and Fatah of a total cease-fire with Israel, including a complete halt to Qassam [rocket] fire and suicide bombings." But said Prime Ehud Olmert’s spokeswoman Miri Eisen, "We need to see that you can actually implement the ceasefire [in Gaza] before we can consider an extension." more.. King Abdullah urges US to ’take risks’ for peace Daily Star 3/8/2007 Israeli troops stormed a military intelligence headquarters in Ramallah on Wednesday and detained some 18 Palestinians amid reports that the Palestinian president and premier were planning to ask militant groups to extend a cease-fire with the Jewish state. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyya of Hamas discussed the prospects of a broad cease-fire with leaders of some factions late Tuesday, Palestinian officials said. In Washington, Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Wednesday called on the United States to help end the "bitter legacy of disappointment and despair" in the Palestinian Territories and to "take risks" to help achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East. Speaking to a joint meeting of Congress, Abdullah said that history has shown no progress in the peace process is possible without American leadership. more.. Hamas growing stronger: Israeli commander Yahoo! News 3/7/2007 JERUSALEM (AFP) - The Palestinian Hamas movement has grown stronger since its shock election a year ago despite Israeli and Western efforts to weaken the group, a top Israeli military commander said Wednesday. "The strength of Hamas is increasing ever since it won the election (in January 2006)," Major General Yoav Galant, who heads the Israeli southern command, told reporters. "Even if we don’t like the situation, this is the situation right now." At the same time, the moderatesecular Fatah party of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is gradually getting weaker, he said. The Islamic Resistance Movement is building up an organised and well-equipped army in its stronghold of Gaza, a highly-disciplined force that at the moment includes four brigades and special forces, Galant said. more.. Netanyahu introduces bill to prevent investment in companies with ties to Iran Ha’aretz 3/7/2007 Likud Party Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu introduced a bill Wednesday that would prevent official Israeli institutions from investing in companies that do business with Iran. Netanyahu said the bill is intended to increase the economic pressure on Iran, saying Israel must first take economic steps against Iran before demanding the international community follow suit and impose an economic boycott on the country. The bill, which is cosigned by representatives of Kadima, Labor, Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu, would prevent official institutions from investing in companies that have business relations with Iran that are essential for their operations. The finance minister will be in charge of implementing the law, and would formulate regulations that would prevent official institutions from investing in tradable and non-tradable securities belonging to such companies. [end] Peretz denies Israel involved in Iranian general’s disappearance YNetNews 3/7/2007 In first Israeli official response to missing Iranian general disappearence, defense minister says Israel does not kidnap people -- In Israel’s first response to the disappearance of an Iranian official in Turkey, Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Wednesday that allegations that the Mossad was behind it were unfounded. "We do not engage in that sort of activity," said Peretz, "and therefore have no reason to discuss it." Reports about Iran’s former Deputy Defense Minister Ali Reza Asgari’s disapperaence were first published by a Saudi newspaper in February. The report said that after a visit to Damscus he flew to Istanbul but never checked into his hotel. At a later meeting between the Turks and Iran it was suggested that the Mossad and the CIA might be behind his disappearance. more.. Egyptian anger over film continues YNetNews 3/7/2007 Israeli documentary on Six-Day War leads officials to call for reexamination of past agreements between countries -- The controversy in Egypt sparked by the Israeli documentary "Shaked Spirit" has failed to die down despite Tuesday’s meeting between Foreign Minster Tzipi Livni, and her Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Brussels. The Egyptian People’s Assembly parliamentary group published an announcement urging a reexamination of agreements signed with Israel. Another group threatened to demand that Egyptian Parliament reexamine all financial ties and agreements with Israel, should it not adhere to international law and prosecute the perpetrators. The documentary that sparked the row examined the role of the Shaked Reconnaisance Unit, under the command of Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, during the Six-Day War. more.. Rafah crossing closed Wednesday Ma’an News Agency 3/7/2007 Gaza - The director general of crossings in the Gaza Strip, Nazmi Muhanna, has announced that the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip will be closed on Wednesday and will open again on Thursday and Friday. The Palestinian official did not give the reasons that led to the closing of the crossing. It had previously been opened for several hours during which nearly 1,000 Palestinians had crossed to the Egyptian side; at the same time nearly 1,200 had returned to the Gaza Strip. The Rafah crossing has witnessed huge crowds on both sides since Israel decided to close it on 25 June following the capture of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit by armed Palestinian factions. Since that date, the crossing has been open only sporadically. [end] Hamas vows full cease-fire if Israel helps end aid boycott of PA government Ha’aretz 3/7/2007 If Israel agrees to persuade the international community not to boycott the new Palestinian unity government, the Palestinians "will offer a promise from Hamas and Fatah of a total cease-fire with Israel, including a complete halt to Qassam [rocket] fire and suicide bombings," a senior Hamas official told Haaretz on Tuesday. Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas plans to deliver this offer at his upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian sources said. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, thought according to the Palestinians, the date has not yet been finalized. However, the Hamas official warned, if Israel presses for a continuation of the international boycott and refuses to work with the unity government, the existing partial cease-fire will be in danger. more.. World Bank: Donor funds shouldn’t go through Abbas Ha’aretz 3/7/2007 The World Bank recommends donor countries to stop transferring funds through Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ office and says such means of bypassing the Hamas government have hurt economic reforms in the Palestinian Authority. In a new report, the bank advises a return to channeling the money to the Palestinian Finance Ministry. It also recommends the PA to dismiss some 6,000 workers to help deal with the budgetary crisis which the bank says is threatening the existence of the authority. The bank calls on the PA to stop hidden unemployment at its ministries and security organizations. Among the 6,000 employees are "ghost workers" - people listed as employees who are not working or who hold more than one position. The World Bank also wants the PA to institute a two-year hiring freeze. more.. PM Olmert and PA Chairman Abbas to meet next week Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas will meet next week for their second summit in a month for talks that will focus on humanitarian matters rather than the core issues of the Mideast dispute, an Olmert aide said Tuesday. "We expect them to meet next week, although an exact date has yet to be set," Olmert spokeswoman Miri Eisin said. "It’s important to keep up with these meetings in order to keep open the channel of communication." .... The Israeli daily Maariv said the coming meeting would be one-on-one, with Rice possibly coming later in March for separate meetings with the leaders. Maariv said Olmert would try to strengthen personal ties with the Abbas, while seeking to persuade him to back off his newly-forged alliance with the militant Hamas. more.. Iran urges visiting Hamas leader Meshal to keep ’resisting’ Israel Ha’aretz 3/7/2007 Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday urged visiting Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal to continue its "resistance" against Israel, Iran’s state television said. The United States and Israel accuse Iran of sponsoring terrorism, including the Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanon’s Shi’ite Muslim Hezbollah group. Tehran denies the charges." The [Palestinian] government should use its brave and pious forces to continue resistance against the Zionist regime [Israel]," Ahmadinejad told Meshal at the start of his two-day visit to Iran, state television reported. Meanwhile, Meshal on Tuesday extracted from Iran a pledge to fund his radical Palestinian movement to compensate for the West’s financial blockade of the Palestinian government. more.. Hoss: Local deal won’t survive without regional accord Daily Star 3/7/2007 AMMAN: Former Premier Salim Hoss said Tuesday that any solution to the political deadlock in Lebanon would not "live on" unless it was coupled with "a sort of accord between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, on one hand, and Syria and Iran on the other." Hoss was giving a lecture, entitled "The Arab Political Situation from a Lebanese Perspective," at the headquarters of the Regional Affairs Association in Amman. The former premier said that the Lebanese relied on both Saudi Arabia and Egypt to contribute in finding a "fair settlement" to the crisis in Lebanon." Of the many foreign players on the Lebanese scene, the Lebanese wish that only those two countries help them solve the crisis," he added. He said Lebanon has always been a "mirror" to regional as well as international conflicts. more.. Senator Barack Obama On Israel and AIPAC Palestine Chronicle 3/6/2007 Remarks of Senator Barack Obama As Prepared for Delivery: AIPAC Policy Forum, March 2, 2007, Chicago, Illinois -- "Thank you so much for your kind introduction and the invitation to meet with you this morning. Last week, this event was described to me as a small gathering of friends. Looking at all of you here today; seeing so many of you who care about peace in this world; who care about a strong and lasting friendship between Israel and the United States, and who care about what’s on the next page of our shared futures, I think "a small gathering of friends" fits this crowd just right.... It is important to remember this history - that Israel had unilaterally withdrawn from Lebanon only to have Iran supply Hezbollah with thousands of rockets..." more.. ’State Department parroting NGOs’ YNetNews 3/6/2007 NGO Monitor organization raises questions over basis of State Department reports on Palestinian prisoners -- The recent report released by the US State Department – which contains criticism of Israel’s treatment of Palestinian security prisoners - merely parrots allegations made by biased non-governmental organizations (NGOs), an Israeli monitoring organization said. Professor Gerald Stenberg, Executive Director of NGO Monitor , said in a statement that "many of the claims in the chapters on Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the 2006 State Department Human Rights Report simply repeat the allegations made by politicized NGOs, ignoring their lack of credibility and double standards." "NGOs such as Adallah, Moussawa, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel and B’tselem..." more.. German Jewish group slams bishops’ comments on Mideast trip Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 BERLIN - Germany’s main Jewish group complained Tuesday about reported criticism of Israel by two of the country’s Roman Catholic bishops during a recent visit to the Middle East, and a church official said he regretted the note of discord. Charlotte Knobloch, the head of the Central Council of Jews, described the reported remarks in a statement as dreadful and completely unacceptable. Germany’s Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported that, during a weekend visit to the West Bank, Eichstaett Bishop Gregor Maria Hanke said: "Photos of the inhuman Warsaw ghetto at Yad Vashem in the morning, in the evening we go to the ghetto in Ramallah - that blows your lid off." According to the report, Augsburg Bishop Walter Mixa also spoke of ghetto-like conditions and described the situation as nearly racism. more.. Report: Missing Iranian former defense official has ’fled to U.S.’ Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 The Iranian former deputy defense minister who disappeared in neighboring Turkey last month is said to have sought asylum in the United States. Tehran said was Ali Reza Asghari went missing while on a private trip to Turkey. The pan-Arab newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat on Tuesday quoted high-profile sources as saying that Asghari left for the U.S. shortly after arriving in the Turkish capital. Earlier Tuesday, Iran’s top police chief accused Western intelligence services of possibly abducting Asghari, who is also a retired general in the elite Revolutionary Guards. Al-Sharq al-Awsat’s sources, however, claim the official was not abducted but left for the United States "along with the secrets he carried." Security was beefed up in Israeli embassies worldwide Tuesday following reports that Iran suspected the CIA and the Mossad of involvement in Asghari’s disappearance. more.. Livni: ’Certain elements in Egypt’ fueling row over film on 1967 war Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, meeting Tuesday with her Egyptian counterpart in Brussels, expressed Israel’s concerns over unsubstantiated reports by "certain elements in Egypt" that a new film documents an Israel Defense Forces massacre of Egyptian soldiers in the 1967 Six-Day War. The allegations arose from media reports about material included in Edelist’s film "Ruach Shaked" (The Spirit of Shaked), which aired on Channel 1 television in Israel last week. Media reports claim that Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer’s Shaked commando unit executed 250 Egyptian prisoners-of-war in the Sinai peninsula immediately after the cessation of hostilities, rather than transfer them to prison camps. During a meeting with her Egyptian counterpart, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Livni voiced "Israel’s concern that certain elements in Egypt are misrepresenting..." -- See also: Sarid: "In 1967, army executed 250 unarmed Egyptian soldiers" more.. Egypt may petition Hague over ’murder of POWs’ YNetNews 3/6/2007 Egyptian foreign minister demands official Israeli investigation into film claiming IDF troops killed 250 Egyptian hostages in Sinai 40 years ago. Officials consider petitioning international court of justice; Israeli ambassador in Cairo under attack -- An Israeli documentary suggesting IDF soldiers may have killed Egyptian POWs during the Six Day War continues to cause turmoil in Egypt. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit told Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni that his country expected Israel to launch an investigation into the allegations made in the movie. The film in question, titled "Shaked Spirit", was directed by journalist Ran Adelist and broadcast in Israel last week. The film presented the claim that soldiers of the Shaked Reconnaissance Unit, under the command of Binyamin Ben Eliezer, killed 250 Egyptian unarmed captives at the end of the 1967 war. more.. Israel considering a fourth border crossing to Jordan Ma’an News Agency 3/6/2007 Bethlehem - The Israeli newspaper ’Yedioth Ahranoth’ reported on Tuesday that the Israeli government is studying a suggestion, which will be presented to the Jordanian government, to open a fourth border crossing between the two countries. The Israeli media said that the Israeli government is studying the possibility to build a new crossing in order to shorten the route to the historical city of Petra, located in the west of Jordan. This new crossing, which would be built south of the Dead Sea, would make Petra only half an hour’s drive away from Kibbutz Ein Tamar in Israel. The other border crossings are Beit Shean/Sheikh Hussein in the north, Allenby Bridge/King Hussein between the occupied West Bank at Jericho and Israel in the centre, and between the coastal cities of Israeli Eilat and Jordanian Aqaba in the south. [end] Israel claims that Hamas is sending fighters to train in Iran International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2007 Director of The Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet), Yuval Diskin, claimed on Monday that Hamas has sent dozens of fighters to Iran for combat training. The remarks of Diskin came during a meeting with a group of foreign correspondents, his remarks were published in the New York Times,an Israeli online daily reported. The New York Times quoted Diskin stating that Hamas has actually started sending fighters to train in Iran, and that the movement plans to send hundreds for that training. He stated that this is “a strategic danger” which is even more dangerous than the weapons smuggled into the Gaza Strip. The Shin Bet director added that the training could last for several months or even years. Also, Diskin stated that the Islamic Jihad movement is sending dozens of gunmen to Lebanon and Iran for training... more.. Italian Deputy- Premier Calls Palestinian Unity Government an Alternative for a Civil War International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2007 Deputy-Prime Minister of Italy, Massimo D’alema, called the Palestinian factions agreement to form a unity government as an alternative for a civil war in Palestine, considering it a step forward. Responding to reporters in Italy, D’alema refrained from giving opinion with respect to possible recognition by the would-be government of Israel, saying “ I am not a lawyer for the Palestinian government in spite of my respect to the ‘noble profession’, but I do not practice it”. The Italian Deputy-Prime Minister, whose country is a member of the European Union, said that the Makkah deal signed earlier in February by rival Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah, had acknowledged previously signed agreements between the Palestinians and Israel. more.. Presidency asks that EU Foreign Ministers leave double standards behind Palestine News Network 3/6/2007 The European Union urged Palestinians and Israelis toward “mutual recognition” on Monday. The call came from Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn during a meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels. He expressed hope that during the current week the Palestinian national unity government would be formed as “a positive addition to the Mecca agreement between Fateh and Hamas. ”Asselborn said that dialogue will soon be resumed as a prelude to establishing two states. Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, charged with forming the new government, has said that although consultations have gone well, more time is needed. In response to the ongoing Israeli violations of international law, including occupation and the lack of “recognition” of the legitimacy of the occupied population, the Palestinian Presidency sent a letter... more.. Rafah – Egypt crossing open in both directions contingent on European monitors Palestine News Network 3/6/2007 The Rafah border crossing with Egypt was opened in both directions on Tuesday. It should stay that way for the next four days if all goes well, according to the Director of the Department of Crossings, Nazmi Muhanna. In a statement issued to the press today, Muhanna said that the crossing will be open between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, which should bring some relief to the thousands of people who have been stranded. He said that congestion is inevitable. The crossing is not open nearly as often, or as long, as it should be. Nevertheless, Muhanna appealed to travelers to exercise more patience so that the European observers will not leave, as they did last Friday. The Crossings Director said that priority for passage would be given to humanitarian and medical cases, and to any emergency situations. [end] Interpol weighs helping Argentina seek arrest of prominent Iranians Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 PARIS - Interpol will discuss next week whether to issue "red notices," or international wanted requests, calling for the arrest of nine former prominent Iranian officials sought in connection with Argentina’s worst terrorist attack, the 1994 bombing of a Jewish cultural center. The nine wanted in Argentina include former Iranian president Hashemi Rafsanjani, as well as Iran’s former foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati and former intelligence minister Ali Fallahian. Argentina has requested help from Interpol in the case, while Iran has denied any involvement in the bombing and said it would oppose any attempt to detain Iranian citizens. Both countries are member countries of the France-based international police agency. Mark Giles, Interpol’s chief press officer, said the body’s executive committee will take up the dispute March 13-15. more.. Abbas accuses EU of pro-Israel bias Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas complained yesterday to the European Union of "a series of provocative and illegal Israeli actions." He went on to accuse the EU of discrimination against the Palestinians, and of fostering an unjust, pro-Israeli approach. In an unusually harsh letter from Dr. Rafiq Husseini, Abbas’ chief of staff, to German Foreign Minister Frank Walter-Steimeier, the Palestinian leadership complained of several instances in which Israel has allegedly violated its prior commitments, including the road map. Husseini noted in his letter to Steimeier - current president of the European Council - the reports of Israel’s intention to build a new Jewish neighborhood in East Jerusalem, and the construction of a new Jerusalem District police headquarters beyond the Green line. more.. Israeli-Egyptian ties hit new low Middle East Online 3/5/2007 Ben-Eliezer calls off visit to Egypt amid documentary’s claims 1967 unit he commanded killed 250 Egyptian PoWs. -- A major diplomatic row threatened to erupt between Israel and Egypt on Monday over claims that a crack Israeli unit killed Egyptian prisoners during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. The claims, aired in a public television documentary in Israel, have been vehemently denied by the unit commander Benjamin Ben-Eliezer -- now the Jewish state’s national infrastructure minister. But they have raised a storm of controversy in Egypt, where the affair has dominated the front pages for two days, sparked an angry debate in parliament and led the foreign ministry to summon the Israeli ambassador in Cairo. "A Massacre" thundered Egypt’s mass-selling state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper. more.. Olmert calls special cabinet session over Iranian ’nuclear threat’ Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert held a special cabinet session on Sunday on Israel’s response to Iran’s nuclear threat. The senior ministers heard surveys on the development of special means and budgets for strengthening the response in the next few years. Last week Olmert met the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee’s strategic subcommittee and gave it an updated survey of Israel’s capabilities. Olmert briefed the subcommittee (MKs Benjamin Netanyahu, Silvan Shalom, Tzachi Hanegbi, Ami Ayalon and Effie Eitam) on the latest strategic-security developments. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who met a number of her European Union counterparts Monday in Brussels, emphasized the importance of forming an international front to isolate Iran and pressure it to halt its nuclear project. more.. Arab League chief: We will not change Saudi peace initiative Ha’aretz 3/5/2007 Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa announced on Sunday that the land-for-peace Arab peace initiative will be relaunched during an Arab summit scheduled for the end of March in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but stressed that no changes will be made to the current format. Last week, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said that Israel objects to the initiative’s section on the Palestinian refugees, which was not part of the initial Saudi draft, but was added at the 2002 Arab League summit. Israel was expecting the Arab League to adopt an improved version of the Saudi peace plan at the summit meeting, senior government sources told Haaretz last week. "The Arab peace initiative expresses an Arab consensus and will not be redrafted as demanded by some foreign powers," Moussa told the ministers... more.. Prime Minister asks for Arab collectivism against American demand to dismiss Right of Return International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2007 Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya said Monday that some pertinent issues require further study before the unity government can be finalized. He told the weekly cabinet meeting, “We have ended the two-day consultation period. We met with all of the parties and President Abu Mazen gave details of the Arab and European meetings. ” The current and designate Prime Minister was speaking from Gaza City today when he said that the problems necessitating additional investigation would be revisited either today or tomorrow, and by the end of next week the new government should be announced. The United States administration is continuing to disrupt the proceedings, however, and Haniya called on all Arab states to confront the American demand to give up the Right of Return. more.. EU not ready to resume direct aid to Palestinians ReliefWeb 3/5/2007 Brussels (dpa) The European Commission on Monday said there could be no early resumption of direct aid to a new Palestinian unity government despite demands by France, Sweden and others for a restart of assistance. "We have to see the personalities, programme and actions (of a new government) and then we will judge if we can gradually re-engage with the Palestinian Authority," European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero Waldner told reporters. Speaking as European Union foreign ministers met in Brussels to discuss the situation in the Middle East, Iran and other global flashpoints, Ferrero-Waldner said she did not expect an immediate decision on unlocking aid to the Palestinian Authority. The tough stance of the commission - the EU’s executive arm - runs counter to calls by France, Sweden and others... more.. Egypt’s antiquities chief urges ban over Al-Aqsa work Daily Star 3/6/2007 CAIRO: The powerful head of Egyptian antiquities called for a boycott of any foreign archaeological teams working with Israel on excavations in East Jerusalem at an emergency meeting of Arab antiquities authorities on Sunday. "We must take steps to defend the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the heritage and monuments of Jerusalem," said Zahi Hawass, head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. He suggested to the other heads of Arab archaeological organizations that they "forbid from doing research or excavations anyone belonging to universities or museums working on archaeology with the Israelis in occupied Jersualem." Israeli excavations and construction projects in the vicinity of Al-Aqsa, the third holiest site in Islam, have sparked accusations by Muslims around the world that the site is being damaged. more.. Israel, Iran top ’negative list’ BBC Online 3/6/2007 A majority of people believe that Israel and Iran have a mainly negative influence in the world, a poll for the BBC World Service suggests. It shows that the two countries are closely followed by the United States and North Korea. The poll asked 28,000 in 27 countries to rate a dozen countries plus the European Union in terms of whether they have a positive or negative influence. Canada, Japan and the EU are viewed most positively in the survey. ’Traditional divides’ - In January, the BBC World Service revealed polling results that suggested most people think the US has a mainly negative influence in the world - and that the numbers had increased significantly in the last couple of years. This latest survey, mostly of the same people, confirms those findings. But it also suggests that two countries are viewed even more negatively - first Israel, and then Iran. more.. U.S.: Aid package to PA depends on funds not benefiting Hamas Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 The United States State Department said Monday full funding of a proposed $86 million in security assistance for the Palestinian authority hinges on whether U.S. officials receive assurances that none of the funds can benefit Hamas. Spokesman Sean McCormack commented after four House Foreign Affairs Committee members, including chairman Tom Lantos, called on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to reconsider the plan in light of the recent agreement between Fatah and Hamas to form a national unity government. McCormack said the administration is asking the same questions as are the members of Congress about whether Hamas would benefit from the program. "Our intention is to move forward with the program," McCormack said. "Whether or not that includes the full $86 million will depend upon the answers..." more.. U.S. official: EU, China reluctant to impose sanctions on Iran Ha’aretz 3/4/2007 The United States is finding it difficult to enlist the support of key EU nations and China for imposing economic sanctions, U.S. Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey said on Sunday. Levey, arrived in Israel on Sunday for talks on using economic sanctions to step up the pressure on Iran over its nuclear program. In a meeting with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni Israel, he discussed Israel’s and the U.S. ’s joint effort to stop the flow of weapons from states that support terror to terror organizations. The effort will focus first and foremost on Iran. Livni and Levey met Sunday in order to consolidate a decisive line within European states against financial institutions which conduct business with Iran. Olmert and Livni updated the American.... on Iran’s methods of transferring funds to Hezbollah and Hamas. more.. Report says U.S. scholarships supported Palestinian militants Ha’aretz 3/5/2007 The Washington Times reported Monday that the United States has provided millions of dollars in financial support to two Palestinian universities, including one controlled by Hamas. According to the report, the institutions have participated in the advocacy, support or glorification of terrorism. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said however that U.S. officials concluded after a review that neither institution - the Islamic University of Gaza and Al Quds University - engages in terrorist activities. McCormack acknowledged that some U.S. scholarship money has gone to Palestinian university students but only to those confirmed not to have links to terrorism. The Times report said the funding - principally in scholarships to individual students - is being scrutinized by several members of Congress and their aides, who say it may violate U.S. law. more.. Israel hardens its peace terms ahead of Saudi Arab summit The Independent 3/3/2007 Israel has begun staking out its minimum conditions for any attempt by "moderate" Arab regimes to advance a peace process with the Palestinians, in the apparent hope of influencing a Saudi-convened Arab summit later this month. Tzipi Livni, the Israeli foreign minister, told the Palestinian newspaper Al Ayyam that "it was impossible to accept" the Saudi-inspired peace plan launched at the Beirut Arab League summit five years ago "in its current formulation". The importance Israel has attached to the Riyadh summit, which will review and, according to Israeli sources quoted in Ha’aretz yesterday, possibly modify the peace plan, appeared to underline the increasingly pivotal importance of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah in the diplomacy of the region. The Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is expected to make a rare visit to Saudi Arabia... more.. Russia wants Israel to join NPT - FM Sergei Lavrov RIA Novosti 3/2/2007 MOSCOW - Russia wants Israel, which has never admitted its nuclear status but is nevertheless believed to possess nuclear weapons, to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to establish a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East, the Russian foreign minister said. "We believe that the practical implementation of a nuclear-free zone will become possible only when all countries in the region, including Israel, join the NPT and subject their activities to the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Syrian Arab News Agency, published Friday by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The issue of nuclear arms has became topical in the Middle East ever since the United States began accusing Iran of pursuing a covert nuclear arms program... -- See also: Jan 5 2007 - Iran may alter stance on NPT - top negotiator more.. Call to ease Palestinian boycott The Independent 3/2/2007 The international community should ease the boycott on the Palestinian Authority and promote peace negotiations in response to the new coalition deal signed in Mecca, according to a new report by the International Crisis Group. The global NGO, whose senior figures include the former Tory minister and governor of Hong Kong, Lord Patten of Barnes, and the former Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans, accept that the agreement does not meet the conditions imposed by the international community and Israel. But it says that shows how little has been secured from Hamas over the past year. Instead, it proposes that fresh demands should be made on Hamas, including the release of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli corporal seized by militants last June, a comprehensive ceasefire and acquiescence in talks... -- See also: After Mecca: Engaging Hamas more.. Russia should not supply Syria with arms - Israeli deputy PM RIA Novosti 3/2/2007 TEL AVIV - Israel’s deputy prime minister said Friday that Moscow should be pressured to stop supplying Russian weapons to Syria. Israeli mass media recently reported that a large consignment of Russian weapons, including modern anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems, will soon be delivered to Syria. "The UN knows that arms are still being smuggled from Syria to [Lebanese Islamist movement] Hezbollah. Israel should pressure Moscow to stop delivering weapons to Syria," a national Israeli radio quoted Shimon Peres as saying. Israel is sensitive about Russian-Syrian military and technical cooperation, fearing not only a reinforcement of Syria’s Armed Forces, but also the possibility that modern weapons could fall into the hands of Hezbollah fighters, in violation of the existing international embargo. more.. Sheikh out to save Al Aqsa Mosque meets the press Palestine News Network 3/2/2007 The campaign to save Al Aqsa Mosque is going international and head of the Islamic Movement inside the Green Line, Sheikh Ra’ed Salah, is taking it to the Arab League. Current meetings in Cairo came after two weeks of regional work that has telegrams and letters arriving at Arab, Islamic and international institutions. The campaign is focusing on awareness of the current threat to East Jerusalem’s major Muslim holy site, the third most important in Islam. The Israeli government has long been excavating under and around Al Aqsa Mosque, but regional and international attention was grabbed just weeks ago with the destruction at the Moroccans Gate. Sheikh Salah met with the Arab League’s Secretary General Amr Mousa last night, and will meet with its country representatives Friday afternoon. more.. Ashrawi tells UK opposition leader that the international siege must end, Olmert says only if gov’t recognises Israel Ma’an News Agency 3/2/2007 Ramallah - Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council representing ’The Third Way’ bloc, told the head of the UK opposition, David Cameron, in a meeting on Friday that the international blockade on the Palestinian government should be lifted so that the government can be truly tested on its actions. However, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stressed to Cameron that Israel will boycott the Palestinian government if it does not meet all the Quartet’s demands, particularly if it fails to recognise Israel’s right to exist. During her meeting with the UK parliamentary delegation representing the Conservative party, headed by its leader and candidate for the next prime minister, David Cameron, Dr. Ashrawi demanded that the siege be lifted once the Palestinian national unity government is in place... more.. Doubts surround reported Turkish bid to lead naval arm of UNIFIL Daily Star 3/6/2007 BEIRUT: A spokesperson from the Turkish Embassy denied reports Monday that Turkey was planning to take command of the naval component of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has been supporting the Lebanese Navy in patrolling its territorial waters since the end of the summer 2006 war with Israel. A spokesperson for the embassy, who requested anonymity, told The Daily Star that Turkey currently has no intention of taking over leadership of the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force and said that the "rumors" stemmed from a routine vessel change. Turkey contributes the second largest contingent to the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force, which Germany has commanded since October 15, 2006. The Journal of Turkish Weekly.... reported on Monday that Turkey had officially submitted a request to the UN to lead the naval component of UNIFIL. more.. Israel pushing to ’improve’ Saudi peace initiative ahead of Riyadh summit Ha’aretz 3/2/2007 Israel is expecting the Arab League to adopt an improved version of the Saudi peace plan at a summit meeting called for the end of this month in Riyadh, senior government sources told Haaretz on Thursday." We understand that the intention is to improve the initiative and come up with a better offer," said one. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni presented Israel’s demands Thursday. First and foremost, she said, Israel objects to the document’s section on the Palestinian refugees, which was not part of the initial Saudi draft, but was added at the 2002 Arab League summit in Beirut." A new summit is in the offing, and they ought to know which parts [of the plan] are acceptable to Israel and what seems to us like an absolute red line," she explained in an interview with Channel 10 television. more.. Livni rejects Arab League’s 2002 plan Jerusalem Post 3/2/2007 Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said on Thursday that the Arab League’s peace proposal of 2002, which offered normalized relations with Israel in exchange for a full withdrawal to the pre-1967 borders, is unacceptable to Israel because it also calls for Palestinian refugees to return to Israel. She spoke both to Channel 10 and to Palestinian newspaper Al-Ayyam in advance of the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia at the end of March. There is some speculation that the League will attempt to revive its proposal as a basis for negotiations with Israel at that time. Diplomatic pundits speculate that Saudi Arabia and moderate Arab states are pushing for peace with Israel now to help neutralize the threat of a radicalized Iran. This weekend, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad plans to visit Saudi Arabia to talk with King Abdullah... more.. U.S., Israeli officials meet on renewing foreign aid package Ha’aretz 3/2/2007 American and Israeli delegations held their first meeting Thursday to discuss the renewal of the United States’ foreign aid package for Israel." These talks reflect the deep historical and security ties between the United States and Israel, based on our shared values and common interests," the Israeli delegation said in a statement." The meeting today is another manifestation of the unshakable commitment by the United States to Israel’s security and a step towards fortifying and enhancing the strategic relationship between our two countries," continued the statement. The Israeli delegation is headed by Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fisher and Finance Minister Director General Yoram Ariav, while the American delegation is headed by Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns. more.. Obama looking for Jewish support YNetNews 3/2/2007 Democratic Senator Barack Obama scheduled to speak before AIPAC in attempt to lessen qualms among American Jews regarding his views on Israel, Middle East -- WASHINGTON - Senator Barack Obama’s mystifying position about Israel will be explained on Friday, when the young legislator and candidate for the 2008 presidential election, speaks before American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobbyists in Chicago. Obama, along with the other candidates, will also address the annual AIPAC conference in Washington later this month, but he though it important to make a few statements to the American Jewry before then, possibly due to concerns raised about his attitude towards Israel.... Since he was voted into the Senate, Obama has backed the Palestinian anti-terrorism bill, voted to defend Israel during the war and supported the foreign-aid bill. more.. UNIFIL-mediated talks ’will resume’ Daily Star 3/2/2007 NAQOURA: "Israel’s increasingly hostile attitude" toward Lebanon was the reason why the last meeting of representatives from the UN peacekeeping force and the Lebanese and Israeli armies was a "total flop," according to a security source close to the meeting. "We noticed that the Israelis are adopting an increasingly hostile attitude toward the Lebanese Army," the source said, adding that the three parties only agreed "to have the peacekeepers work on solving all pending issues." The commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Italian General Claudio Graziano, moderated last Tuesday’s meeting, which took place near Naqoura. He said that a date for the next meeting "has not been fixed." more.. UN official discusses latest situation in southern Lebanon with officials in Beirut Electronic Intifada/UN News 3/1/2007 A UNIFIL peacekeeper liaising with an officer from the Lebanese Army. The Lebanese army has been deployed south of the Litani river for the first time in thirty years, south Lebanon, 19 September 2006. A senior United Nations official today discussed with Lebanese officials full implementation of the Security Council resolution that ended last summer’s war between Israel and Hizbollah, following similar talks earlier this week with Israeli authorities. "We discussed many issues from the question of prisoners, Israeli prisoners in Lebanon, Lebanese prisoners in Israel -- we would like to see more progress on that," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Advisor on the situation in the Middle East Michael Williams told reporters after meeting with officials in Beirut, the Lebanese capital... more.. British opposition leader: Time for massive pressure on Iran Ha’aretz 3/2/2007 The time has come for the international community to start exerting massive pressure on Iran over its nuclear program, British opposition leader David Cameron told Haaretz in an interview Thursday. The Tory Party leader, who arrived in Israel for a three-day visit on Wednesday, came here mainly to learn, in an effort to better understand this tiny country that supplies so many headlines. And no matter how much you read or how many pictures you see, he said, it is not the same as seeing for yourself. This is Cameron’s first visit to Israel, but the man who the polls predict will win Britain’s next election, scheduled to take place in about three years, already has several strong opinions. He does not rule out military action against Iran. more.. Syria ups army infrastructure on border Jerusalem Post 3/2/2007 Syria has spent the past few months constructing and moving infrastructure to its southern border that could be used to launch a war against Israel, senior defense officials have told The Jerusalem Post. According to the officials, the Syrian military - while restricted in the number of troops it is allowed to deploy along the border - has moved military infrastructure, including fuel depots, closer to the frontier. The Syrians have also built structures in the area that could serve as weapons stores and military bases. "There is no doubt that something out of the ordinary is taking place on the Syrian side of the border," a high-ranking official said. The IDF and Syria raised their levels of alert along the Golan Heights during the second Lebanon war last summer. The IDF has noted a reinforcement of forces on the Syrian side but the meaning of the move is unclear. more.. PLO representative in Lebanon vists reconstruction sites of buildings demolished by Israeli bombing campaigns Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Beirut - Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) representative in Lebanon, Abbas Zaki along with Colonel Muneer Maqdah, on Thursday paid a visit to the Sheikh Zayid compound. They visited the construction site of a building, which is intended to be a medical, social and sports centre. Zaki thanked the United Arab Emirates for the donation of the centre. In another leg of his tour, Zaki visited the Al Aqsa hospital and Badir society, in addition to the ongoing reconstruction sites of 18 houses, which were demolished during the latest war in Lebanon. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is undertaking the reconstruction, in addition to the repair of 70 more houses. The tour also included a visit to the Ein Al-Hilwah refugee camp in Lebanon. [end] ’US advisor and ambassador, shocked by lack of US aid to Palestinians, develop new American foreign policy’ Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Ramallah - The main advisor to the American [Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs], Adam Early, on Thursday told local Palestinian media in Ramallah that there is a new initiative to improve the American image internationally. He said that "the idea came from Karen Hughes [who currently serves as the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in the U.S. Department of State with the rank of ambassador] who discovered after her visit to the region that there is a clear misunderstanding of American practices.... The objectives of the new American policy, as submitted by Early are: continuous renewal of the American policies; participation of American officials in world-wide TV programs; and initiating a new American diplomacy with regard to addressing people across the world, which includes appearing on TV screens... more.. Israeli minister calls for the release of Marwan Barghouthi Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Bethlehem - The Israeli minister of environment, Gideon Ezra, has renewed his recommendation to the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, that he "reconsider releasing Marwan Barghouthi, the Fatah leader." The Israeli minister believes that releasing Marwan Barghouthi will help Israel strategically through backing the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas. He said, "I know that the name of Marwan Barghouthi is troublesome, but there is nothing to do about it since he is the strongest Palestinian leader." The Israeli daily newspaper, Yedioth Ahranoth, revealed on Thursday that Ezra has recommended that a prisoners’ exchange includes Marwan Barghouthi. This recommendation is contradictory to that of the director of the domestic Israeli security service, Shin Bet, Yoval Diskin, who recommended that Barghouthi remain in jail... more.. Israeli media: Palestinian security forces handed over two Israeli settlers who entered Ramallah on Tuesday Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Bethlehem - The Palestinian security services in the West Bank city of Ramallah handed over to their Israeli counterparts two female Israeli settlers who had entered the city on Wednesday night for unknown reasons, Israeli media sources have reported. The sources added that the Israeli police are investigating the incident and questioning the two settlers as to why they entered the Palestinian city. The spokesman of the police renewed the orders that prohibit Israeli citizens from entering Palestinian areas in the West Bank classified as Areas A, out of fear for their lives. Areas A refer to the areas of the West Bank which are nominally under the control of the Palestinian Authority following the Oslo accords. [end] UN SG Ban urges creativity and persistence in pursuit of Middle East peace ReliefWeb/United Nations Radio 2/28/2007 Transcript: The path to a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been filled with obstacles, frustration and tragedy. That’s what Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in an opening statement to the UN Palestinian rights committee. But he says the international community is now at a critical juncture in efforts to move beyond crisis management, and renew efforts towards genuine conflict resolution. As a result, Secretary-General Ban urged the international community to take advantage of the political opportunities at hand: "If we do so with creativity and persistence, and the right mix of firmness and flexibility, we can find the path that has eluded us for so long and arrive at our commonly hoped for destination of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on an end to the 1967 occupation." more.. GovernmentWinograd panel may seek to nix testimony exposure Ha’aretz 3/29/2007 The Winograd Committee is considering appealing once more to the High Court of Justice to postpone or revoke its order for the publication of the transcripts of testimonies by the prime minister, defense minister and former chief of staff on the Second Lebanon War. Committee officials and the Justice Ministry met Wednesday to discuss such possibility. Justice Ministry sources said Wednesday that there had been a general discussion and that a serious legal evaluation of the issue had not been made. It is therefore possible that the Winograd Committee will not pursue the option of appealing to the High Court and allow the publication of the transcripts, scheduled for Sunday. The committee argued before the High Court that the publication of the transcripts may compromise national security... more.. PLO resumes cash transfers to offices in Lebanon after nine-month hiatus Daily Star 3/28/2007 SIDON: The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) transferred $12 million to its Lebanon offices on Friday, the first such transfer in nine months, a source close to the PLO said on Tuesday. PLO members were set to receive a lump sum of four months back pay, with the remaining five months’ salary to be paid out in the near future, the source added. Students, fighters and administrators all queued in front of PLO cashier desks in Palestinian refugee camps across Lebanon on Tuesday. All members of PLO-affiliated factions such as Fatah, the Palestine Liberation Front, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Popular Front and the Arab Liberation Front, among others, receive monthly salaries from the PLO. more.. Palestinian Interior Ministry denies shot were fired at him in the Gaza Strip International Middle East Media Center 3/27/2007 Spokesperson of the Palestinian Interior Ministry, Khalid Abu Hilal, denied media reports that stated that shots were fired at the convoy of the Interior Minister, Hani Al Qawasmi, when he visited Um Al Nassr Bedouin village in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. Abu Hilal stated that the guards of Qawasmi fired several rounds in the air as dozens of residents gathered in the area. The shots were fired into the air in an attempt to clear the road for the ministers’ convoy, Abu Hilal added. In a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Abu Hilal stated that after the minister heard about the disaster in the area, he decided to cancel all of his programs and visit it in an attempt to rescue the lives of the residents. Nine Palestinians were killed and dozens were injured in Um Al Nasser village, north of Beit Lahia, when sewage flooded the houses and agricultural lands. more.. Palestinian supreme court bans teachers’ union elections Ma’an News Agency 3/27/2007 Qalqilia - The Palestinian Supreme Court on Tuesday ratified a decision prohibiting elections which the teachers’ union intended to hold next Thursday. The decision came after a request by the teachers’ general association. The spokesperson of the teachers’ union, Jamal As-Wayy denied the reports. He told Ma’an that no one from the society of teachers, the ministry of education and the ministry of interior was informed about the reports, which he depicted as rumours. Consequently, he affirmed that the elections will be carried out next Thursday. At the same time, a statement was distributed in the Gaza Strip by the government teachers calling to boycott the elections. [end] PFLP calls for restraint from rival factions Fatah and Hamas, accuses government of inaction regarding BBC journalist Ma’an News Agency 3/27/2007 Khan Younis - The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) has condemned the renewed clashes and abductions between Fatah and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The PFLP added that such a return to in-fighting only serves the Palestinians’ enemies. In a statement, the PFLP said that it considers the renewed clashes and abductions in the Strip as serious, especially in the area of Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip. The statement called on the two movements, Fatah and Hamas, to practice restrain and self-control. The statement also stressed the need to investigate all the bloody acts and incidents which occurred in the past and to bring all involved people to justice... the PFLP is urging the new interior minister, Hani al-Qawasmi, to work seriously on ending the lawlessness and disorder in the Strip [and] the file of the abducted BBC reporter, Alan Johnston. more.. AG: Bulk of allegations against Olmert is ’significant’ Ha’aretz 3/27/2007 Attorney General Menachem Mazuz on Tuesday said the growing number of allegations and suspicions against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert were "significant" and did not rule out the possibility Olmert should suspend himself from office. In an interview with Channel 1, Mazuz said "there’s no doubt there’s a significance to the amount of investigations against the Prime Minister, particularly of the same kind, that leave a certain general impression." Meanwhile, the Attorney General announced he was postponing his decision on whether to open a criminal investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert over alleged political appointments while he was the industry, trade & labor minister. Mazuz saud he would refrain from making a decision until State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss hands in his findings on a related aspect of the investigation. more.. Police question finance minister again Globes Online 3/27/2007 Investigators asked for explanations about sums transferred to Finance Minister Abraham Hirchson. -- The Israel Police again questioned Minister of Finance Abraham Hirchson under caution today in the affair of the NIS 15. 5 million embezzled at the National Workers Organization (Histadrut HaOvdim HaLeumit). Hirchson is suspected of theft, fraud, filing false corporate documents, and breach of trust when he served as chairman of the National Workers Organization. The police questioned Hirchson at the national economic crimes unit headquarters in Lod from 9 am until 5 pm. The police will schedule further times for questioning with Hirchson. So far as is known, the investigators were expected to present Hirchson with statements from his bank account and that of this son, Ofer Hirchson. more.. Peretz says he’d take Finance Ministry Jerusalem Post 3/27/2007 In an effort to energize his flagging campaign for party leadership, Labor Chairman Amir Peretz announced on Tuesday night that if he won the upcoming primary he would seek to switch his portfolio from Defense to the Finance Ministry." On May 28, on the night that I am re-elected to head the Labor party, I will inform the prime minister of my intention to revise the coalition agreement and to demand the office of the Treasury," Peretz thundered as he spoke to supporters who gathered in Tel Aviv for a Pessah toast. His announcement fueled speculation that Peretz had finally caved to popular pressure and planned to abandon the Defense Ministry regardless of whether or not Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ceded to his request to switch portfolios. Those close to Peretz dismissed this as pure media speculation. more.. Palestinian unity government ’ready’ Yahoo! News 3/14/2007 GAZA CITY (AFP) - A Palestinian unity government bringing together rival factions is ready and will be voted on by parliament on Saturday after weeks of wrangling, officials said on Wednesday. "The government is now ready and its composition will be announced on Thursday morning," said Nabil Abu Rudeina, a spokesman for president Mahmud Abbas, head of the Fatah faction. "On Saturday the government will likely be presented to the legislative council," he said, referring to the Palestinian parliament. Ghazi Hamad, spokesman for the rival Hamas movement, said premier-designate Ismail Haniya has already asked parliament to convene on Saturday at 0900 GMT to vote on the new line-up. Abbas and Haniya met in Gaza on Wednesday to put the finishing touches to the coalition agreement and hammer out a compromise on the candidate for the powerful interior ministry... more.. IDF: Force will be used against attempts to resettle Homesh Ha’aretz 3/26/2007 The police and the Israel Defense Forces will make a limited effort to prevent right-wing activists from marching Monday to the former West Bank settlement Homesh, but IDF Central Command said the participants will be evacuated by force if they try to stay and resurrect the former settlement. The IDF believes that at least 5,000 activists will participate in the march, but only 1,000 police officers and border police and 500 IDF soldiers will try to block access to the site, which was evacuated during the disengagement in 2005. With this ratio, the IDF knows the chances of completely blocking all the participants from reaching Homesh are slim. Senior officers in the IDF Central Command held talks throughout the day with the march’s organizers in an attempt to dissuade the participants from trying to bypass security forces by walking through Palestinian villages and thus taking an unnecessary risk. more.. Bethlehem governor addresses the issue of land theft in the Bethlehem area Ma’an News Agency 3/26/2007 Bethlehem - The governor of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Salah Ta’mari, presided over the periodic session of the governorate’s executive council on Monday. The council comprised of directors of governmental departments and representatives of the municipalities of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour, located adjacent to Bethlehem city. The meeting dealt with several issues related to the governmental ministries’ performance and the degree to which they adhere to the law. Furthermore, controversial issues regarding the ownership of land were discussed. In this regard, Ta’mari confirmed that any assault or forgery of documents will be dealt with. He urged any land owner whose land has been attacked to complain. The governor also stressed that the cases of land theft have nothing to do with Muslim-Christian differences;... more.. New complaint filed with police against President Moshe Katsav Ha’aretz 3/26/2007 President Moshe Katsav will soon be summoned by police for additional questioning, after a new complaint was filed against the president in the past few days. Attorney General Menachem Mazuz approved the police request to summon Katsav for further questioning, due to the fact that complaint was filed after a hearing was scheduled for the president on May 2. Following the hearing, Mazuz will make a final decision on whether or not to indict the president. A request to schedule the questioning was sent on Monday to Katsav’s attorney Zion Amir. Last week, Katsav petitioned the High Court of Justice, demanding that the state provide all materials collected in the investigation against him on suspicion of rape and other sexual assault charges. more.. Most obstacles overcome, unity government nears in Palestine International Middle East Media Center 3/13/2007 Salah Al-Bardaweel, spokesperson of Hamas’ parliamentary bloc said that Hamas will submit three names to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to choose one of them for the minister of interior post. Al-Bardaweel who refrained to reveal the names of the three nominees said that two of the candidates are Marshals while the third is civilian. Meanwhile, senior Fatah official stated Tayyeb Abdul Rahim stated that Abbas will meet with Prime Minister designate Ismael Haniyeh on Tuesday night to discuss the nominees for the unity government. Haniyeh on the other hand said on Monday that he hopes the government will be declared before the weekend. He added "we have overcome too many impediments that face up forming unity gov’ernment in intensive talks between me and President Abbas." more.. Abbas and Haniya to discuss names tonight, Al Ahmed and Abbas to put final touches on Fateh list Palestine News Network 3/13/2007 Secretary General of the Presidency, Tayeb Abdel Rahim, told PNN on Tuesday that the holdup for the new government continues to be the Interior Minister. President Abbas and Prime Minister Haniya will meet this evening to review the candidates for all ministerial posts in the upcoming unity government. Abdul Rahim confirmed that the ongoing dilemma is regarding the Minister of the Interior. The position belongs to the Hamas party, but President Abbas has rejected every candidate. more.. Regardless of hurdles, Interior Ministry expected to be agreed upon Palestine News Network 3/13/2007 Hamas spokesperson, Ismail Radwan, told PNN on Tuesday morning that the possibility of calculating the portfolio of Interior Minister is a real obstacle to forming the national unity government. He denied earlier reports that a name had been agreed upon. Candidate after candidate has been rejected for the position that has been contentious for years due to its involvement in overseeing internal security. Interior Minister Siyad Siam created the Executive Force and many blamed him for the year’s security upheaval, although many others blamed Fateh cadres who did not wish to see the Hamas government succeed after the elections. The current and designate Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya, said that he hopes to reach a conclusion by the end of his meeting with President Abbas this evening. more.. Abbas and Haniya to discuss names tonight, Al Ahmed and Abbas to put final touches on Fateh list Palestine News Network 3/13/2007 Secretary General of the Presidency, Tayeb Abdel Rahim, told PNN on Tuesday that the holdup for the new government continues to be the Interior Minister. President Abbas and Prime Minister Haniya will meet this evening to review the candidates for all ministerial posts in the upcoming unity government. Abdul Rahim confirmed that the ongoing dilemma is regarding the Minister of the Interior. The position belongs to the Hamas party, but President Abbas has rejected every candidate. The head of the Fateh bloc in the Palestinian Legislative Council, Azzam Al Ahmed, confirmed the six names of Fateh candidates for various ministerial positions yet to be assigned. The only firm position is that of Deputy Prime Minister for Al Ahmed. He told PNN, “President Abbas and I are authorized to put the finishing touches on the Fateh aspect of the government of national unity." more.. Hamas: Tax revenues went to security Jerusalem Post 3/13/2007 Some of the $100 million in tax revenues that Israel transferred to the Palestinian Authority in January went to thousands of Hamas supporters - including those in the security forces - Hamas officials said on Monday. Meanwhile, a senior PA official in Ramallah said that Israel’s decision not to release more of the hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues it owes the PA undermines PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah faction. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made the decision against releasing more of the funds last week, following reports that Abbas had broken a promise to use the revenues solely for humanitarian purposes." This is not a wise decision," the official told The Jerusalem Post..... PA Finance Minister Samir Abu Aisheh of Hamas said more than 9,500 new employees had been added to the public sector since the Islamist movement ’took power’... more.. Hamas facing a serious split, revolt over Mecca Accords Jerusalem Post 3/13/2007 The national unity agreement that was reached last month in Mecca has triggered a behind-the-scenes power struggle in Hamas, sources close to the Islamic movement in the Gaza Strip revealed Tuesday. Meanwhile, fierce fighting erupted Tuesday evening between Hamas members and gunmen belonging to a large clan in Gaza City, Palestinian security officials reported. The clashes began after a car carrying several Hamas members was fire upon in the Zeitoun neighborhood, they said, adding that Ala Hadad, a senior Hamas operative, was killed and four others injured." Hamas is facing a serious split," the sources said. "Opposition in Hamas to the Mecca agreement is growing as some of the movement’s senior officials are talking about a possible revolt." -- See also: Executive Force deny mutiny in Hamas military more.. Executive Force deny mutiny in Hamas military Ma’an News Agency 3/13/2007 Gaza - The executive force (EF) has denied reports regarding military disobedience in the Hamas movement or its military wing, Izzeddin Al-Qassam Brigades, it also denied any planned assassination campaigns within the military wings. In a statement issued by the EF, it said that what was stated in a report published by the Palestine Press Agency is "not more than programmed lies and misleading news". The EF have also denied any relation to Yousef Zahar, who Israeli media sources have alleged is leading a mutiny from within Hamas. The statement also criticized the electronic website of the PPA, which translated what was published on an Israeli electronic site. The EF accused the PPA of being the mouthpiece of Israeli lies and attempting to return internal conflict to the Palestinian streets. The EF also said it will sue the site. [end] -- See also: Hamas facing a serious split, revolt over Mecca Accords Fateh PLC bloc hands Abbas names of six candidate ministers International Middle East Media Center 3/13/2007 Palestinian legislator, Rabeeha Thiab, representative of Fateh movement at the Palestinian Legislative Council, stated on Monday at night that members of Fateh parliamentary block, including herself, met with president Mahmoud Abbas and handed him names of six ministers who will represent Fateh and the upcoming legislative council. The proposed six Fateh ministers of the new unity government are Azam Al Ahmad, to the vice Prime Minister post, and as a minister of another ministerial post, in addition to Rabeeha Thiab, Radwan Al Akhras, Ahmad Abu Holy, Mahmoud Al Aloul and Issa Qaraqe’. Thiab added the the names were given to Abba for a final decision. She added that Fateh will continue its efforts to maintain national unity among the Palestinian people. more.. Haniyeh: All issues regarding coalition solved, government to be announced this week Ma’an News Agency 3/12/2007 Gaza - Designated Palestinian prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, said on Monday that "every issue related to the unity government has been settled," and that he is "awaiting the return of president, Mahmoud Abbas, to the Gaza Strip in order to crystallize the final vision, before the announcement of the government this week to be submitted to the Palestinian Legislative Council for ratification." Speaking at the cabinet’s weekly session, Haniyeh said, "Several obstacles in the way to achieving the unity government have been settled through intensive meetings last week between myself and president Abbas." Haniyeh expressed his appreciation of the positive stances of several European countries, which announced support and readiness to deal with the Palestinian unity government. more.. Fatah nominate a deputy prime minister, as well as five other candidates for ministerial posts Ma’an News Agency 3/12/2007 Gaza - Fatah’s parliamentary bloc decided on Monday to present candidate, Azzam Al-Ahmad, for the post of deputy prime minister in the forthcoming Palestinian coalition government. The decision came after a meeting was held in Ramallah for the Fatah bloc of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Fatah’s commissioner for national relations, Abdul-Hakim Awad, affirmed to Ma’an that the central committee of the Fatah movement will convene and choose their candidates for ministerial portfolios in the forthcoming unity government. He added that the central committee will take into account the consultations that were conducted between president Mahmoud Abbas and Fatah members. They will consider the suggestions that the leadership of Fatah in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have introduced for Fatah, as well as independent, candidates. more.. AG decides against criminal probe into Tartman comments on Arab minister Ha’aretz 3/12/2007 Attorney General Menachem Mazuz decided Monday not to open a criminal investigation into Yisrael Beiteinu MK Esterina Tartman over comments she made regarding the decision to appoint Labor MK Ghaleb Majadele as a minister. Following the decision to appoint Majadele, Tartman told Israel Radio that the appointment of Israel’s first Muslim minister is like "swinging an axe at the trunk of Zionism" and said we need to "uproot this terrible evil from among us." Several complaints were filed against Tartman with the State Prosecutor’s Office, after which the comments were examined. Meretz Chairman Yossi Beilin, who filed one of the complaints, said "this is not another dismal comment from the Yisrael Beiteinu school, but rather a comment that is based on a racist ideological foundation..." more.. Government backs Peres’ economic ’peace channel’ Ha’aretz 3/12/2007 The government yesterday approved the economic peace corridor project as a national project. The plan, the brainchild of Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres, stretches 500 kilometers from the Gulf of Eilat along the Arava and Jordan Valleys to the Yarmuch River. Projects include the 160 kilometer Red Sea to Dead Sea channel, dedicated to preventing the Dead Sea from drying up; tourist projects; an Israeli-Jordanian airport in the Aqaba region; and an Israeli-Palestinian industrial park in the northern West Bank. By being declared a national project, all the individual projects will be given high priority and proceed along an accelerated approval track.... head of the Israeli branch of Friends of the Earth: "the decision worries us because nothing has been done to check the expected impact of the canal on the Dead Sea and the Arava..." more.. War inquiry focusing on PM’s choice of Peretz as defense min. Ha’aretz 3/11/2007 The issue of Amir Peretz’s appointment as defense minister is central to the discussions of the Winograd Commission, which is investigating the second Lebanon war. Labor sources said over the weekend that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was attempting to evade responsibility for the appointment. The commission has asked several cabinet ministers, including Labor Party members, whether they felt it was appropriate for a prime minister with no military experience to appoint as defense minister someone with neither knowledge nor experience in national security issues. Some of the ministers said afterward that the commission members demonstrated great interest in the appointment of Peretz, despite the fact that the issue was a matter of political considerations during coalition talks. more.. Officers slam PM for planning war, but not preparing IDF Ha’aretz 3/9/2007 Senior officers in the General Staff voiced criticism on Thursday of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s claims before the Winograd Committee regarding his plans for last year’s war in Lebanon and asked "if war was planned, why was the IDF left unprepared?" Labor Party ministers also lashed out on Thursday at Olmert’s testimonybefore the committee, as reported in Haaretz. Olmert reportedly said that he made a coalition deal with Labor under which Labor received the defense portfolio, but decided on its own who would fill it, and therefore, Labor is responsible for Peretz’s problematic appointment as defense minister. But Labor ministers charged that Olmert has sole responsibility for this appointment, as he and Peretz concluded the Labor-Kadima coalition agreement entirely by themselves, and this agreement... already had Peretz marked as defense minister. more.. Peretz: I’m better than my predecessors YNetNews 3/12/2007 Peretz rejects Olmert’s comments that he insisted on defense portfolio. ‘There were coalition negotiations. I wanted the finance portfolio, but Olmert said under absolutely no circumstances,’ defense minister says -- News of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s comments that Amir Peretz was appointed defense minister because Labor insisted on the portfolio outraged Peretz, who got wind of the comments while in the United States for diplomatic meetings. In closed talks with his aides, Peretz rejected Olmert’s comments outright. “There were coalition negotiations. I wanted the finance portfolio, but Olmert said under absolutely no circumstances,” Peretz said. Even though his political standing has suffered from his service as defense minister, Peretz said: “I should get very good grades for my performance as defense minister. ” more.. Knesset okays 3-year cooling-off period for security officials Ha’aretz 3/12/2007 The Knesset plenum on Monday approved in a second and third reading a new law requiring a three-year cooling-off period for senior security officials interested in running for Knesset or for a position in the cabinet. According to the new law, army officers with a rank of major general and lieutenent general, senior officials in the Shin Bet and the Mossad, and Israel Police officers or Prisons Authority wardens with a rank of major general or above must now wait three years before contending for a seat in the Knesset or for a position as minister or prime minister. Before the law was passed, senior officers in the Israel Defense Forces, Israel Police, Prisons Authority, the Mossad and the Shin Bet were required to wait only six months before running for office in the Knesset or cabinet. more.. President Katzav’s brother accused of sexual harassment Ha’aretz 3/12/2007 The brother of President Moshe Katzav, who faces charges of rape and other sexual offenses, has been accused of sexual misconduct himself. Lior Katzav, who has been his brother’s most vocal defender, insisted Monday that he was innocent of any wrongdoing, and called the allegations part of a web of lies about his family. He refused to divulge further details about the accusations against him. The complainant, a foreign worker who was arrested three weeks ago at a roadside inn where she was working illegally, filed a complaint during her arrest stating that Katzav touched her against her will while he was a guest at the establishment two years ago. The woman underwent a polygraph test, which indicated her version of events was 100 percent true, the official said, adding that police planned to soon question Lior Katzav for a first time. more.. Hamas submit nominees for Ministry of Interior post to President Abbas; expect agreement tonight or tomorrow Ma’an News Agency 3/7/2007 Bethlehem - The Hamas movement has stated on Wednesday that an agreement over the candidate for the ministry of interior will be reached either tonight or tomorrow night, during meetings between the Palestinian president and the designate prime minister. The spokesperson of Hamas, Isma’il Radwan, told Ma’an that Hamas have submitted several nominees to be suggested to President Abbas, excluding Hammodah Jarwan who was previously nominated. He added that the alternatives will be acceptable for both sides. Hamas, according to Radwan, have not agreed on the president’s nominees for the portfolio of the ministry of interior.... Radwan: "[the delay] is about broadening the factional participation in the government." more.. Hamas runner: Abbas is afraid of me Jerusalem Post 3/7/2007 Hamas’s candidate for the post of interior minister can’t understand why Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas opposes his appointment." Most of the political and security figures in Fatah have announced their support for me," Hamoudeh Jarwan, 55, a former PLO security officer with close links to Hamas, said Wednesday." I’m a religious person and everyone knows that I’ve been so for the past 40 years," he said in response to allegations that he was a Hamas member. "I’ve never hidden the fact that I’m a religious Muslim, but I was never a member of Hamas. Abbas and [Fatah leader] Muhammad Dahlan know that I actually belong to Fatah." Asked why he thought Abbas and Fatah firmly oppose his appointment... Jarwan said: "They are afraid, afraid, afraid. I was the former PLO military prosecutor..." more.. Al-Aqsa Brigades give presidency and government two weeks to demonstrate its commitment to the ’disaster city’ of Nablus Ma’an News Agency 3/7/2007 Nablus - The Al-Aqsa Brigades in the West Bank city of Nablus have threatened the presidency and the government that they will close all the banks and governmental institutions in the city if they fail to carry out decisive actions, rather than just issue statements declaring Nablus as a disaster city. Nasser Kharraz from the Al-Aqsa Brigades, the main military wing of Fatah, said in a press conference on Tuesday: "Announcing the city as a disaster city through media and statements is not enough. There should be practical steps taken." Following the Israeli army’s ’Operation Hot Winter’, during which it besieged the West Bank city of Nablus for five days, Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh described Nablus as an "afflicted city" on Friday 2 March. He said that the city had suffered damages amounting to US $750 million during the incursion... more.. Discord between the Palestinian health ministry and the union of Palestinian doctors Ma’an News Agency 3/7/2007 Gaza - Ma’an - Palestinian Minister of Health Dr. Bassem Naim has denied the accusations by the union of Palestinian doctors that he is trying to marginalize the role of the union in the international arena. Speaking to Ma’an via telephone, Dr. Naim described the union as "illegitimate" since it has not held any elections for seven years. Dr. Naim also described the head of the union as "illegal" since he formerly occupied the post of health minister and then he returned as head of the union without being elected by the union. Another point of contention has arisen regarding the examination which Palestinian doctors must take in order to qualify to practice their profession. The Palestinian health ministry has decided to take control of the supervision of this exam. more.. PM’s office says succeeding in portraying comptroller as a liar Ha’aretz 3/8/2007 Officials at the Prime Minister’s Office said Wednesday that their aggressive response to the state comptroller’s criticism of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has succeeded in portraying the comptroller as a liar who is obsessively trying to bring Olmert down. The officials said their efforts to undermine the image of State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss were not just spin." It was an exceptional step," one of the officials said. "But there was no choice. It was clear that it’s not possible to leave the arena to the comptroller without reacting." In a tense meeting with the Knesset’s State Control Committee on Tuesday, Lindenstrauss accused Olmert’s office of either delaying the transfer of material necessary for the report on home front management during last summer’s Lebanon war or not handing it over at all. more.. President Katsav escapes impeachment over likely rape charges Ha’aretz 3/7/2007 The impeachment process against President Moshe Katsav was thwarted Wednesday when only seven of the 25 Knesset House Committee members voting in favor of removing him from office due to the likely rape charges against him. Four of the 25 members of the committee voted against impeachment. The number of committee members voting in favor is significantly smaller than that required to extend the impeachment process - 19, or 75 percent of committee members. Attorney General Menachem Mazuz decided in principle to indict the presidnet on a series of charges, including rape, subject to a hearing on the matter. Voting in favor of impeachment were MKs Shelly Yachimovich, Nadia Hilo and Collette Avital (Labor); Gideon Sa’ar and Limor Livnat (Likud); Zahava Gal-On (Meretz) and Dov Khenin (Hadash). more.. Litzman demands NIS 500m in child benefits for resignation Globes Online 3/7/2007 Finance Committee chairman MK Yakov Litzman: Heavy pressure is being applied for me to leave quietly. -- Knesset Finance Committee chairman MK Yakov Litzman (United Torah Judaism) said that if the government added NIS 500 million in child benefits, he would resign from his post. “I’ve always said this. I’ll compromise. Instead of NIS 1 billion, I agree to NIS 500 million,” he said. Litzman said heavy pressure was being applied for him to leave quietly. Asked what the government would do, he replied, “I really don’t know what they’re going to do. This proves that I’m not an obstructionist; I only want to help large families. It also puts the onus on the government to prove that it isn’t deaf to children in poverty. ” Litzman proposes raising the child benefit for families with more than four children to NIS 250 per child. more.. State to move archives to Arad as part of Negev development plan Ha’aretz 3/7/2007 The Ministerial Committee on Development in the Negev and Galilee on Wednesday approved several plans to develop the Negev, including a plan to move the State Archives from Jerusalem to Arad. According to the Ministry of Development in the Negev and Galilee, an investigation into conditions in the Negev found that its dry climate is ideal for storing the archives’ documents. During the first stage, the ministry will deliver a budget of the project. Plans for site construction will begin at the beginning of 2008. The committee, which is headed by Vice Premier Shimon Peres, also approved a plan to subsidize the costs of land development for reserve soldiers who will move to Israel’s south in conjunction with the relocation of the Israel Defense Forces’ training bases to the Negev. more.. Abbas and Haniyeh hold third meeting in 48 hours in attempt to agree on interior minister Ma’an News Agency 3/6/2007 Bethlehem - A private meeting is taking place on Tuesday evening between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, away from the media, in order to decide the issue of the minister of the interior and some other suspended issues that still need to be solved in order for an agreement to be reached over a Palestinian unity government. The prime minister’s advisor, Ahmad Yousef, expects that the interior issue will be decided in this meeting. He told Ma’an via telephone that Abbas will present Haniyeh with many names for the post. Yousef also said that the announcement about the formation of the government will come after the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Abbas next week. more.. Names of new ministers to be ready by late next week, Foreign Minister settled upon Palestine News Network 3/6/2007 President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya have completed two days of consultations for the unity government, which should be announced at the end of next week. The President will attend his scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert first. However after PLO Executive Committee member and Fateh official Yasser Abed Rabbo’s announcement this afternoon that President Abbas rejected yet another of Hamas’ names for the position of Interior Minister, it is possible that this morning’s optimism was premature. Reports coming in later on Tuesday indicate that Hamas may submit a new list for all of its decided upon ministerial candidates. The names of independent, Hamas and Fateh candidates were presented and discussed Sunday, with the issue of the Foreign ministry solved yesterday, but the Interior ministry remained a problem. more.. PLC speaker: PLC should be denied vote of confidence as 40 members are still in Israeli jails Ma’an News Agency 3/6/2007 Khan Younis - Acting speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Ahmad Bahar, has said that he expects the new Palestinian unity government to be announced around the middle of next week. Speaking to Ma’an via telephone, Bahar said that the meetings between President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh have resolved many issues. He said that all the issues causing discord between the two sides were agreed upon, except the issue of the interior ministry post. He added, "There are different views related to the nominee, Hammouda Jarwan, and we hope this will be cleared up soon". He denied that there are any deep differences between Fatah and Hamas. "There are many fabricated reports about differences, but the issue is that the two men are meeting on their own..." more.. DFLP may be granted a ministry, a leading member says Ma’an News Agency 3/6/2007 Gaza - A member of the political bureau of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Salih Zeidan, has confirmed that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is prepared to give the DFLP the ministry of its choosing in the incoming national unity government. After meeting with Abbas, Zeidan said: "The meeting was positive. The front’s final decision to join or not the government will be decided by the leading institutions in the front." He added that, "the president agreed to have all factions in the government and on the necessity for starting reform of the Palestine Liberation Organisation". Abbas met with the DFLP delegation on Tuesday evening. They discussed many issues, including the coalition government’s platform and the plans for reform of the PLO. According to Zeidan, the DFLP called for accelerating the formation of the coalition government and for ensuring that the bilateral Mecca agreement between the rival factions of Hamas and Fatah becomes a comprehensive one. more.. Israeli Arabs to get greater school funding, settlements less Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 The methods used in calculating the budgets of the country’s elementary schools are set to change in September to conform to a High Court of Justice ruling from last year, which is aimed at helping disadvantaged students and reducing inequality. Under the new plan, which is being drafted by Education Ministry officials, the use of "national priority areas" in determining elementary school budgets will be scrapped in favor of ensuring an adequate basic funding level with additions for underserved populations. Among other things, the changes will reduce funding for schools on settlements in the territories, which are currently considered national priority areas, and increase funding for schools in Arab communities. "The new budget formula will change the political-education map from A to Z," a senior ministry officials said... more.. State Comptroller: Home front report ’liable to anger many’ Ha’aretz 3/7/2007 State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss said Tuesday the criticism in his report on the management of the home front during last summer’s Lebanon war will be "very sharp and liable to anger many." In a tense meeting with the Kneset’s State Control Committee, Lindenstrauss accused Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s office of either delaying the transfer of material necessary for compiling the report or not handing it over at all. But Lindenstrauss did not discuss the personal responsibility of political or military leaders regarding the home front, in accordance with an agreement reached with the High Court of Justice. The Israel Defense Forces had petitioned the court against the release of the report’s interim findings. Olmert’s associates accused the state comptroller of spreading lies. more.. Peretz blasts PM at cabinet: ’This is not an autocracy’ Ha’aretz 3/7/2007 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert suspended yesterday’s cabinet meeting for several minutes after Defense Minister Amir Peretz accused him of behaving like an autocrat." Olmert acts like an autocrat, but this is neither an autocracy nor a tyranny," Peretz said. The comments came after Olmert refused to let Peretz speak during a discussion of the non-payment of salaries in the local authorities, saying the matter did not fall within his jurisdiction." You have to wait patiently," Olmert said. Several ministers said Peretz asked angrily, "What are we doing here if you don’t let us make comments? " Olmert told Peretz to calm down and suspended the meeting. Several ministers described the mutual recriminations as one of the most disgraceful incidents to take place in the cabinet in recent years. more.. Gaydamak to help fund monument to victims of helicopter disaster Ha’aretz 3/7/2007 The bereaved families of the soldiers killed in the 1997 Air Force chopper disaster are expected to accept multi-millionaire Arcadi Gaydamak’s offer to donate $450,000 toward the completion of the monument commemorating their loved ones. So far, $600,000 have gone into the construction of the monument south of Kibbutz Dafna in the Galilee, but that wasn’t not enough to complete the work. "We are not in any position to say no. Beggars can’t be choosers", explained the bereaved mother of Avi Opner, Ra’aia, who coordinates the commemoration activities." We thank all donors, but we would rather see the state take the matter upon itself. That would be more appropriate than collecting donations. For 10 years now we have been seeking funding. We’re tired", she explained. more.. Abbas, Haniyya met on Monday night, agreed on names of independent government candidates International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2007 Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, met on Monday evening, with the acting and designate Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyya, and agreed on the names of independent candidates who will hold positions in the upcoming unity government. The government is likely to be officially announced by end of the coming week. Government spokesperson, Dr. Ghazi Hamad, from the Hamas party, attended the meeting and said that Abbas and Haniyya discussed several important issues headed by appointing Dr. Ziad Abu Amro, as the upcoming Palestinian Foreign Minister. “There are no major differences and obstacles that would hinder the formation of the unity government”, Hamad stated, “We have minor differences but in general the conditions are assuring”. more.. Hamas orders book of Palestinian folk tales pulled from schools The Independent 3/6/2007 The Hamas-run Education Ministry has ordered an anthology of Palestinian folk tales pulled from school libraries and destroyed because of sexually explicit language, officials said yesterday, in what critics charged was the most direct attempt by the Islamic militants to impose their beliefs on Palestinian society. The book ban angered and worried many Palestinians, who long feared that Hamas would use its victory in last year’s parliamentary election to remake the Palestinian territories according to its hard-line interpretation of Islam. The 400-page anthology of folk tales narrated by Palestinian women was first published in English in 1989 by the University of California at Berkeley.... West Bank novelist Zakariya Mohammed said he feared Hamas’ decision to ban "Speak Bird, Speak Again," a collection of 45 folk tales, was only the beginning and urged intellectuals to take action. more.. Rift splits Fatah as Barghouti and Dahlan vie for leadership Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 Infighting among leading members of Fatah, on all levels, is preventing the embattled organization from closing ranks in its struggle against Hamas. A major struggle seems to be unfolding over control of Fatah’s grass roots between jailed Marwan Barghouti and Gaza-based strongman Mohammed Dahlan. Barghouti supporters say Dahlan is trying to undermine the position of the jailed leader within the organization. They say Dahlan is wary of Barghouti’s strength in any future leadership bid and is therefore trying to distance him from decision making. The latest crisis broke out following the announcement of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) of the creation of a Grass Roots Committee, which will serve in the overall leadership of Fatah in the West Bank. more.. Palestinian PM says unity government delayed ReliefWeb 3/5/2007 GAZA, March 5 (Reuters) - A Palestinian unity government will not be agreed before the end of next week, Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of the Islamist Hamas group said on Monday. The government, which Fatah and Hamas agreed to form after talks in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 8, had originally been expected to be unveiled at the end of last week." We did not conclude the consultations to form the government and we will not announce it before the end of next week," Haniyeh told a cabinet meeting in Gaza, referring to his talks on Sunday with President Mahmoud Abbas of the rival Fatah faction. Haniyeh and Abbas met again on Monday and failed to agree on who would take the helm of the Interior Ministry, which is in charge of the security forces, officials said. more.. Fatah, Hamas agree on Minister of Foreign Affairs International Middle East Media Center 3/5/2007 The Palestine News Network said that Dr. Ziad Abu Amr will be the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the coming government which is expected to be declared by the end of this week. The source added that a ministerial committee is formed to set the political program of the new government. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be part of Fatah quota in the government, no agreement has been reached regarding the Minister of Interior as Abbas rejected all Hamas’ candidates for this portfolio. Abbas demanded that Hamas nominates independent figures for the Interior portfolio. So far, the Palestinian People’s Party and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) will be given a Portfolio each, and the door will be open for the Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) to join the government. more.. Unity government political platform not set in stone, may entice PFLP Palestine News Network 3/5/2007 An informed source told PNN that yesterday’s meeting in Gaza City between President Mahmoud Abbas and the current and designate Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya, was positive. The new government will be ready next week, the source told PNN in Ramallah on Monday. “There is a committee of ministers in the new government that will work to formulate its political program. And the door is still open to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. ”It was confirmed that the Fateh party stands behind Dr. Ziyad Abu Amr as Foreign Affairs Minister to be calculated as part of its own quota and Dr. Salam Fayyad to resume his former position as Minister of Finance. Issues linger with the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, while the Democratic Front, PPP and Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi are considered more or less stable in positions. more.. Abbas, Haniyya Gaza meeting fails in making progress on unity government International Middle East Media Center 3/5/2007 Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, and acting Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyya, met in Gaza on Sunday in an attempt to push forward the formation of the Palestinian Unity Government, but the meeting failed to achieve any positive results. Spokesperson of Hamas at the Palestinian Cabinet, Dr. Ghazi Hamad, said that the movement was hoping to present the government before the period alloted to Haniyya expires. Haniyya has two more weeks in his position as an acting Prime Minister. Hamas stated that the consultations were not completed during the Sunday meeting, but will continue in the coming days. Abbas-Haniyya meeting lasted for three hours and the two leaders left just after midnight without making any statement to the reporters. more.. Palestinian unity government to be announced within a week, senior Fatah legislator says Ma’an News Agency 3/3/2007 Gaza - The head of the Fatah bloc in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Azzam Al-Ahmad, has said that he expects the formation of the Palestinian national unity government to be completed by the end of this coming week, and before the meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert. In a press conference held in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Friday night, Al-Ahmad said, "Abbas will be coming to Gaza on Sunday to continue consultations with the prime minister in order to reach a final decision regarding the government." He hinted that some of the factions have refused to participate in the unity government. Al-Ahmad added that he did not give the list of names for the Fatah ministers to Prime Minister Haniyeh during his meeting with him as was expected... more.. Officials: Abbas, Hamas forces expanding despite unity deal Ha’aretz 3/4/2007 Forces loyal to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and the ruling Hamas movement are pushing ahead with expansion plans despite a unity government deal, Palestinian and Western officials said. Workmen in the West Bank city of Jericho said they have stepped up construction of a 16-acre base for Abbas’s presidential guard and are putting the finishing touches to a "college" for his intelligence service. Since the power-sharing deal between Abbas’s Fatah faction and Hamas Islamists was signed on February 8 in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the presidential guard has set up a makeshift camp on newly-appropriated land next to the Karni commercial crossing in Gaza and has started training recruits there. "This is a military base that needs money to be equipped, whether there is Mecca or not," a presidential guard commander said... more.. PFLP leaders meet Abbas, reject participation in unity government International Middle East Media Center 3/6/2007 Delegates of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, PFLP, met on Monday night with the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, in Gaza City, and confirmed the Front’s position which rejects to be part of the coalition government. Rabah Mhanna, member of the Political Bureau of the PFLP, told the Maan News Agency after his meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas, that the PFLP will not be part of the new government. Mhanna added that he told Abbas that the Mecca unity deal between Fateh and Hamas “resulted in a decline of the Palestinian political standards”, and that political partnership became “distribution of ministries between Fateh and Hamas instead of partnership with all factions”. He also said that the PFLP will not abandon its agenda of resistance and will stand firm against all sorts of insecurity and internal clashes. more.. Hamas will have PM and 12 ministers in new government, Hamas spokesman assures Ma’an News Agency 3/3/2007 Gaza - Hamas spokesman Salah Bardawil has confirmed that none of the new Hamas ministers in the new coalition government, who are from the Gaza Strip, will be members of the current Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). He also said that six of the Hamas ministers will be from the Gaza Strip, including Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, and seven will be from the West Bank. Speaking to Ma’an News Agency, he confirmed that the announcement about the new government will be very soon. "It is a matter of days" he said, hinting that the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) and the Palestinian People’s Party (PPP) will be represented in the government by one minister each. He also expressed hope that the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) will be also represented. more.. Palestinian factions delay submitting cabinet list Reuters AlertNet 3/2/2007 GAZA, March 2 (Reuters) - Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas appealed to faction leaders on Friday to finish choosing ministers for a unity government and said further delay could embolden opponents of the deal. Haniyeh had asked President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah faction and other groups to submit their choices by Friday, ahead of a planned meeting with Abbas in the Gaza Strip, but this deadline has been pushed back. Following a late night meeting between Haniyeh and Abbas aide Azzam al-Ahmed in Gaza, the prime minister said Hamas would present its list of ministers on Saturday and Ahmed said the Fatah list could be released by Sunday. With most of the differences between the parties now resolved, Ahmed said he expected the government could be named by the end of the coming week. more.. PM Haniyeh declares Nablus an "afflicted city" suffering losses of $750m Ma’an News Agency 3/2/2007 "What is happening in Nablus resembles the comprehensive destruction of the holy city [of Jerusalem] and its surroundings." -- Gaza - Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh announced on Friday that he had ended his consultations regarding the formation of a Palestinian national unity government. He is now "putting together the final vision for the establishment of the coming government," he said, assuring that he had demanded that the two main political parties, Fatah and Hamas, speed up their submission of names for ministers within days. Previously this week it was announced that Fatah and Hamas had to submit their nominations by Friday at 9pm. Haniyeh, in his Friday sermon in Al-Iman Al-Shaf’i mosque in Gaza, added, "we will proceed to speed up the formation of the unity government..." more.. Officials: IDF to withdraw petition against panel hearing on Lebanon war Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 A petition filed Monday by the Israel Defense Forces to the High Court of Justice to cancel a discussion in the Knesset State Control Committee seemed likely to be withdrawn as of Monday night, following late-night negotiations between IDF attorneys and the State Comptroller’s Office, legal officials said. On Tuesday, the committee is slated to hear an overview of State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss’s findings from his investigation into the conduct of the home front during last summer’s war in Lebanon. The petition, filed by the IDF Home Front Command and the army’s legal defense unit, argued that Lindenstrauss had no right to present his findings until the army and individual officers have been given a chance to respond to them, as this would undermine their fundamental right to a fair hearing. more.. PMO drafts plan to maintain ’fabric of life’ in any future war Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 During future wars, people confined to shelters will be able to ask for a messenger from the local authority or Home Front Command to fill pharmacy prescriptions, says Dr. Dan Laor of the Health Ministry’s emergency services. The availability of medicines is one of issues the Prime Minister’s Office has instructed the ministries, Home Front Command, Union of Local Authorities and local authorities to examine. These bodies have been asked to ensure that the civilian population is more prepared for the next war than it was for the last one, which paralyzed the North in the summer of 2006. In contrast to the last war, people in shelters will receive information of open pharmacies and clinics in the next war. The PMO has formulated a program intended to preserve the civilian population’s "fabric of life for a length of time." -- See also: HMO data show Lebanon war lead to baby boom more.. PM and State Comptroller clash over planned report Ha’aretz 3/4/2007 The impending release Tuesday of an interim report by State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss on the functioning of the government during last year’s Lebanon war has Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s bureau on a collision course with the comptroller. The comptroller decided in an unusual move to present the interim findings of his report to the Knesset State Control Committee without waiting for Olmert’s version. According to the Prime Minister’s Bureau, on December 25, the state comptroller asked the prime minister for a meeting in the comptroller’s offices so he could be questioned on the home front’s functioning during the war by a team headed by Gen. (res. ) Yaakov Or. The prime minister refused to appear before the team. "No comptroller has ever summoned a prime minister before." more.. PM refused to testify before State Comptroller on aid to home front in war Ha’aretz 3/3/2007 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert refused to appear before State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss in order to testify regarding assistance provided to the home front during the second Lebanon war, offering instead to respond to written questions. According the State Comptroller’s Office, Lindenstrauss sent a written request to the prime minister on December 25, asking him for a meeting on the issue. On January 7, Olmert informed the state comptroller that he does not intend to meet with him, and offering to respond to questions handed over to him in writing. Although he believed Olmert’s offer was inappropriate, Lindenstrauss agreed and sent the prime minister a document with a number of questions regarding the aid to the home front. more.. Racist’ forced to withdraw bid for Israeli cabinet post The Independent 3/1/2007 Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the most right-wing party in Israel’s governing coalition, was forced last night to cancel his nomination of a colleague condemned as a "true racist" to the Tourism Ministry. Mr Lieberman had faced mounting embarrassment over his choice of Esterina Tartman for the post of Tourism Minister after a series of damaging revelations about her eligibility for the job - or lack of it. Ehud Olmert’s Cabinet confirmed Ms Tartman’s appointment on Sunday despite her having made what was widely construed as a racist attack on the appointment of the first Arab Muslim minister last month. Saying that Ghaleb Majadale’s promotion was "lowering the guillotine on Zionism" Ms Tartman, a Knesset member in the Yisrael Beiteinu party declared: "We need to burn this plague out of our midst and God willing, the Lord will help us with that." more.. Rewards for neighborhoods aiding with absorption YNetNews 3/4/2007 Immigration minister to submit proposal to government urging monetary incentives for neighborhoods with over 10 percent Ethiopian residents, same for native Israelis who move in to immigrant neighborhoods -- A unique plan put forward by Immigration Absorption Minister Ze’ev Boim (Kadima) proposes the government pump funds into neighborhoods where over 10 percent of the population is of Ethiopian origin. Boim also proposes significant financial incentives for native Israelis who chose to move into immigrant neighborhoods. The plan also calls for allocating positions in state service for immigrants, boosting mortgage funding for housing and more funds for programs to curb teenage violence within the Ethiopian community. more.. PM slams comptroller, alleging ’falsehoods’ and leaks Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 In a sharply worded letter, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday accused State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss of falsehoods, intentional leaks to the press and violating the law. Addressing the Knesset leadership in his letter, Olmert called on the Knesset State Control Committee not to allow Lindenstrauss to present the main findings of his interim report on government conduct concerning the Home Front during the Lebanon war last summer before the individuals named have the opportunity to respond to the comptroller’s claims. Earlier, the commander of the Home Front, Major General Gershon Yitzhak, threatened to petition the High Court of Justice if the meeting of the State Control Committee is not postponed. Yitzhak is liable to be one of the individuals most hurt by the comptroller’s report. more.. Aides: Peretz has no intention of dropping out of Labor primaries Ha’aretz 3/6/2007 Defense Minister and Labor Party Chairman Amir Peretz does not intend to withdraw from his party’s upcoming leadership primary, despite his poor standing in the polls, Peretz’s associates said Monday. They accused associates of the two leading candidates, Ehud Barak and MK Ami Ayalon, of being behind the rumors that Peretz was seeking to join up with one of them and dismissed these rumors as "transparent spin." Peretz’s associates were responding to the first polls of Labor members based on the party’s new membership rolls. In one, commissioned by Haaretz, Barak led with 25 percent, followed by Ayalon with 23 percent, Peretz (19 percent), MK Ophir Pines-Paz (15 percent) and MK Danny Yatom (5 percent). more.. Hawatmeh: Palestine is entering a "historic golden opportunity to reconstruct national unity" and defeat imperialism Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Gaza - The secretary general of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Nayef Hawatmeh, assured that the Palestinian cause is entering a "historic golden opportunity to reconstruct the real national unity with a new united political program. " But, he added, "The opportunity could be destroyed by bilateral proportional distribution of power between Fatah and Hamas. "Hawatmeh said, "Any revolution that is not based on national unity and national vision, which is not nationalistic, revolutionary, clear and transparent is doomed to failure and corruption. "Hawatmeh stressed the importance of not missing this opportunity as Palestinians cannot bear any more of the mistakes of their leadership, or Zionist or colonial rule.... "The fundamental condition of the victory of the Palestinian people is the defeat of imperialism and of Israel. " more.. Haniyeh plans to hold an 8-track "national workshop" Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Gaza - The Palestinian prime minister designate, Ismail Haniyeh, said on Thursday that he is planning a "national workshop" aimed at setting out a comprehensive Palestinian plan to "open new horizons" and return the Palestinian situation to the world’s front page. Haniyeh was attending a ceremony for laying the foundations for new buildings for the Islamic University, located on the land of the evacuated Israeli settlements. He said that his new plan consists of holding "workshops" on eight different "tracks": political, legislative, judicial, security-related, economic, financial, administrative and functional. Haniyeh stressed the need to establish the coalition government quickly since it is the first practical implementation of the Mecca agreement since the infighting was ended. [end] Dahlan: The Mecca Agreement has ended the rift between Fatah and Hamas and assimilated Hamas into the political system Ma’an News Agency 3/1/2007 Gaza - Fatah’s Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member, Muhammad Dahlan, who is also head of the interior and security committee in the PLC, affirmed on Thursday that president Mahmoud Abbas will meet with the prime minister designate Ismail Haniyeh next Saturday to discuss the developments in the formation of the coalition government. Dahlan added, during a meeting with Palestinian journalists and writers in his office in Gaza City, that the Mecca agreement came to comply with Palestinian interests, as well as ending the infighting between rivals. He also welcomed the positive shift in Hamas’ stance in preparing for assimilation into the Palestinian political system.... He also depicted his relationship with Hamas as positive, referring to the promising atmosphere which prevails in the Hamas-Fatah discussions and sessions in the Gaza Strip. more.. Khalida Jarrar sets her agenda for the PA opposition Jerusalem Post 3/1/2007 She belongs to a self-described revolutionary party, and indeed she wants a revolution. Everything is on her agenda: democratic reform, human rights, women’s liberation, corruption. Khalida Jarrar was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council a year ago, as No. 3 on the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s ticket. Her office in Ramallah, right off Manara Square, is sparsely decorated. There’s a Palestinian flag in the corner, a small bookshelf near her desk and a few chairs for visitors. A red socialist banner hangs on her door. Before the election, she ran Addameer, which focuses on prisoners’ human rights. It is no surprise that she is now the head of the Parliamentary Committee for Prisoners and Martyrs - "and their families," she stresses, speaking with The Jerusalem Post over the weekend. -- See also: Addameer. more.. Peretz, PM at odds over outposts YNetNews 3/2/2007 Peretz’s determination to evacuate illegal outposts set up by Jewish settlers in West Bank may put him on a collision course with Prime Minister Olmert, whom Labor accuse of shirking issue -- Defense Minister Amir Peretz’s determination to evacuate illegal West Bank settlements may put him on a collision course with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and lead to a further deterioration in relations between the two leaders. Peretz’ associates accuse Olmert of shirking the issue. The Prime Minister’s Office however insisted to Ynet that Olmert was “committed to clearing illegal outposts. ” “He intended to do so in an inclusive plan, as far as possible, with agreement (of the settlers) and without violence,” they said. Defense Ministry officials closely associated with Peretz said, “We expect the prime minister to make a decision soon regarding the evacuation of illegal outposts. ” more.. Golani troops stage huge revolt against commander Jerusalem Post 3/2/2007 In one of the largest revolts in IDF history, close to 100 soldiers from Battalion 51 of the Golani Brigade - which lost eight soldiers during the battle over Bint Jbail in Lebanon this past summer - stormed out of their base on Thursday in an act of protest against their new commander. The soldiers claimed that they were fed up with the tough disciplinary approach of new battalion commander Lt. -Col. David Zini and the IDF’s general "lack of compassion" for soldiers who had fought and lost friends in Lebanon. The soldiers said that meetings with psychologists they requested to discuss the effects of the war had been repeatedly postponed by their commanders." We did not get what we deserved," said one of the soldiers, who said that Zini also broke with Golani traditions and took away certain privileges granted to veterans of the battalion. more.. Hamas may rename settlement sites Jerusalem Post 3/2/2007 The Hamas-led Palestinian Authority government is planning to rename the sites of former Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip after famous Islamic battles and some former Arab cities inside Israel, as well as Arab capitals. The move, which comes on the eve of the formation of a joint Hamas-Fatah coalition, has drawn criticism from Fatah representatives, who say the outgoing government does not have the authority to make such an important decision. A document obtained by The Jerusalem Post shows that Hamas leaders have made plans to rename at least 20 settlements that were evacuated in August 2005. The document, drafted by Palestinian Authority Agriculture Minister Muhammed al-Agha of Hamas, will soon be brought to the Palestinian Legislative Council for approval. more.. Human
Rights
UN warns of new Gaza sewage flood BBC Online 3/28/2007 The UN has warned that there could be another cesspool collapse in the Gaza Strip, a day after at least five people were killed by a flood of raw sewage. Three women and two toddlers died after a sewage treatment pool broke down in the northern village of Umm al-Naser. Rescue teams are continuing their search for more bodies. On Wednesday, the head of the UN relief and works agency in Gaza said a larger cesspool in the area was overloaded and could collapse at any time. In a separate development, unidentified gunmen opened fire on a car of a local Hamas commander in Gaza City, witnesses and medics said. They said the commander’s wife and their two children were injured. It remains unclear if the commander himself was hurt. ’Bigger disaster’ -- "The real threat now comes from another [sewage] facility up there which is equally overloaded..." more.. Report: 60 suicides in detention centers over past 7 years Ha’aretz 3/28/2007 According to a report issued by the Israel Bar Association’s committee overseeing detention centers, over the past seven years, more than 60 detainees committed suicide while in remand. The figure presented in the report does not include failed suicide attempts." The criminal justice system in Israel does not want offenders to die," the committee chairman, Attorney Benny Steinberg, wrote in the report. "Nonetheless, it leads to the death of suspects and detainees at a frequency that cannot be ignored, even if the death is ultimately self-inflicted." The report determines that there is no mental health system in detention centers, and detainees have accessibility difficulties in reaching their attorneys, which increases the risk of suicide. The report states that between 2000 and 2005, approximately 50 detainees committed suicide while in remand... more.. Um El-Naser Environmental Disaster Victims Increase to Five Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 3/28/2007 The victims who were killed in yesterday’s environmental disaster in Um El-Naser (Bedouin) village increased to five after rescue crews recovered the body of Fatima Habban Abu Safra (70) yesterday afternoon. The body was found under the rubble of her house that was flooded by sewage water. It is noted that earth barriers around a sewage pool that was constructed last September broke and flooded the village. The pool was constructed by a joint council of municipalities in the northern Gaza Strip. Rescue teams recovered four bodies in earlier rescue operations. All of them were drowned by the sewage flood. Accordingly, Medical sources in Kamal Odwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, Shifa Hospital in Gaza, and the Medical Emergency Relief clinic in the village informed PCHR that they have thus far received the bodies of dead victims, all of them residents of the Bedouin village. more.. Beit Lahia waste water treatment plant – Floods Humanitarian Situation Report #1 ReliefWeb/United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) 3/28/2007 1. Facts on the ground - At 9. 30 this morning a large wave of effluence from an emergency filtration basin at the waste water treatment plant in Beit Lahia in north western Gaza flooded into the nearby Bedouin village of Um Al Nasser. Four people are reported dead and a further 18 injured while dozens of homes have been destroyed and damaged from the flood waters. The cause of the over flow has still to be determined however there has been concern for a number of years at the lack of capacity at the treatment plant to absorb the ever expanding volume of effluence. Estimated Casualties / Damage: Deaths: 4, Injuries: 18, Missing people: 11, Houses destroyed/damaged: 96. -- 2. Humanitarian impact and immediate needs - Relocation of between 250 and 300 families to a temporary camp situated on higher ground... more.. Palestinian Medical Relief Society warns of a looming public health disaster in northern Gaza following sewage flood Ma’an News Agency 3/28/2007 Bethlehem - The Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) has issued a press release warning of a public health disaster in the northern Gaza Strip following the waste water flood on Tuesday. PMRS reports that six people were killed in the flood of sewage, including two elderly women, two children and a teenage girl. PMRS also assured in its press release that 18 people were injured, and 11 people are still missing due to the flooding. At least 96 homes have been damaged or destroyed by the flood, and up to 300 families were forced from their homes, PMRS reports. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, reported earlier that it had set up tents for over 150 displaced families, adding that the majority of the village’s residents are UNRWA-registered refugees. more.. Jailed PFLP leader demands Arab Summit to affirm the refugees’ right to return International Middle East Media Center 3/28/2007 Ahmad Sa’adat, Secretary-general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) demanded the Arab leaders holding their summit is Saudi Arabia to affirm the Palestinian refugees’ right to return to their homeland. Sa’adat said that Arab leaders should remain steadfast on the Palestinian national rights of independence and the right of return in any possible peace settlement. Sa’adat’s statement came as he was talking to Botheina Douqmaq, one of the lawyers of the Mandela Institute as she visited him and visited detainees Mousa Doudeen and Sultan Al Jalony in Hadarim Israeli detention facility. He said that the Arab Summit is demanded to break the siege imposed on the Palestinian people, and to start practical measures to transfer the Palestinian case to the United Nations... more.. Palestinian refugees in Iraq appeal Arab Summit to rescue them International Middle East Media Center 3/28/2007 As attacks continued against the Palestinian refugees in Iraq, and as their conditions continued to worsen, they called on the Arab leaders holding a summit in Saudi Arabia to adopt practical measures to rescue them and get them out of Iraq. The refugees sent a statement to the summit asking the summiteers “not to allow the Iraqi delegation to side their issue”, and asking them not to believe the delegation’s pledges of protecting them. They said that the Iraqi government is not interested in protecting the refugees “since it had many chances to do so, but chose not to”, and accused the Iraqi government of “giving orders for committing crimes against the refugees”. The refugees also said that the government repeatedly vowed in several previous conferences that it would provide the Palestinian refugees with the needed protection “but waged more violent attacks against them." more.. ’Revoke citizenship of Arab MKs’ YNetNews 3/28/2007 Shurat HaDin organization petitions High Court, demands the dismissal of MKs Bishara, Zahalka, Taha from Knesset, revocation of their citizenships -- The Shurat HaDin Israel Law Center organization petitioned the High Court of Justice Wednesday, demanding that the citizenships of the three members of the National Democratic Assembly faction be revoked following their visit to Syria several months ago. The petitioners urged Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik to dismiss National Democratic Assembly members MK Wasil Taha and MK Jamal Zahalka, as well as the faction’s chairman, MK Azmi Bishara. The petition is based on the Citizenship Law, according to which an Israeli citizen automatically loses his citizenship if he visits an enemy state. more.. Human Rights Council calls for fact-finding missions to probe alleged Israeli abuses ReliefWeb/United Nations News 3/27/2007 The United Nations Human Rights Council today adopted a resolution without a vote which called for two urgent fact-finding missions to be dispatched to the occupied Palestinian territory, voicing concern that previous attempts to investigate potential human rights abuses had been hindered by Israel. The 47-member Council noted with regret that Israel had not cooperated with two previous resolutions which dispatched the missions. A resolution in July said Israel must “end its military operations in the occupied Palestinian territory, abide scrupulously by the provisions of international humanitarian law and human rights law, and refrain from imposing collective punishment on Palestinian civilians,” while a November resolution called for the “immediate protection of the Palestinian civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory..." more.. Human Rights Council adopts text on follow-up to resolutions on missions to Occupied Palestinian Territory; review of mandates ReliefWeb/UN Human Rights Council 3/27/2007 Considers Extrajudicial Executions, People of African Descent and Racism; Concludes Debate on Freedom of Religion, Opinion and Arbitrary Detention -- The Human Rights Council this afternoon adopted a resolution in which it called for the implementation of its resolutions and the dispatch of two urgent fact-finding missions to the occupied Palestinian territory. It also adopted a resolution in which it requested the Coordinating Committee of the Special Procedures to extend until the closure of the fifth session of the Council the deadline for the submission of comments on and inputs to the draft manual of Special Procedures; and requested the Working Group on the Review of Mandates to present to the fifth session the outcome of its deliberations on the code of conduct regulating the work of the Special Procedures. more.. UN Rapporteur compares Israel to Apartheid South Africa International Solidarity Movement/Electronic Intifada 3/27/2007 The UN’s Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, John Dugard, has issued a harshly critical report on Israel’s human rights record in regards to its treatment of the Palestinians in occupied Palestine. “The international community, speaking through the United Nations, has identified three regimes as inimical to human rights - foreign occupation, apartheid and colonialism,” Dugard says. In a report posted on the UN Human Rights Council’s website, due to be tabled this week, the South African law professor accuses Israeli regime of all three. Below follows an excerpt of the report. - OCCUPATION, COLONIZATION AND APARTHEID: IS THERE A NEED FOR A FURTHER ADVISORY OPINION? more.. Hebron: More detentions and home occupation update International Solidarity Movement 3/27/2007 More detentions and update on home occupation by Israeli settlers -- The settlers have worked very quickly and through the nights, despite the still outstanding High Court decision on the legality of their occupation of the Palestinian house, to install electricity, water and waste pipes. They have also now fitted spotlights to the roof of the building. The HRWs observing at the house were informed by a Palestinian family living directly opposite the occupied house that they are now under curfew from 7pm and cannot leave their house after this time, as the only way out of their home is past the settlers and the occupied house. There is still a heavy army and police presence at the house. HRWs observed border police urinating against the outside of the Palestinian cemetery wall on two separate occasions... more.. Um Nasser sewage pools were scheduled to be transferred in April 2007, Palestinian Centre for Human Rights reveals Ma’an News Agency 3/28/2007 Gaza Strip - The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) has issued a press release clarifying that four Palestinians were killed by the flood of sewage that burst into the village of Um Nasser on Tuesday. PCHR names the four as Nasra Nuseir Salem Ermeilat (70), Suheir Salab Abu Ghrara (17), Mohammad Salem Masek Abu Atieq (1), and Jamal Barak Abu Safra (3), saying that they died from drowning. PCHR adds that twenty other inhabitants of the Bedouin village were injured by the floodwater, which PCHR says was 2 meters high in the village. Eight of the injured were women. "More than 250 homes were damaged, including 20 homes that were totally destroyed," PCHR adds. "In addition, substantial damage was caused to commercial shops, private vehicles, and other services in the area." more.. Médécins Sans Frontières providing drinking water to the evacuated villagers of stricken Um Nasser Ma’an News Agency 3/28/2007 Bethlehem - The international aid agency, Médécins Sans Frontières (MSF), has been providing drinking water to the population of Um Nasser, whose homes were flooded with waste water when the wall of a cesspool collapsed on Tuesday. MSF said in a press release that three water tanks have been set up, containing some 4500 liters. These tanks will be filled five times a day, MSF says. MSF says it is collaborating closely with the Palestinian Medical Relief Services (PMRS), which is providing healthcare through a fixed medical point, as well as through mobile clinics going tent to tent. 300 tents have been set up by the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, who reported earlier on their efforts to aid the afflicted villagers. more.. UNRWA assisting the flooded Gaza village of Um Nasser, warns of unexploded ordnance Ma’an News Agency 3/28/2007 Bethlehem - Following the environmental disaster in northern Gaza on Tuesday, in which a sewage pool burst its banks and flooded a Bedouin village, the United Nations agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, has confirmed that the majority of the village’s inhabitants are UNRWA-registered refugees. In a press release issued on Tuesday evening, UNRWA adds that bulldozers are levelling land nearby, east of Beit Lahiya, so that UNRWA can erect tents as shelter for more than 150 displaced families. UNRWA trucks are bringing in six water tanks with a capacity of 6,000 litres of water to the emergency camp established north of the affected village, the press release adds. Food, blankets, mattresses and hygiene kits will also be distributed in co-ordination with other UN and aid agencies. more.. In the Most Serious Environmental Disaster to Hit the Northern Gaza Strip: Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 3/27/2007 Earth Barriers in the Sewage Disposal Pools Break Killing 4 and Rendering Hundreds of Families Homeless in the Bedouin Village, Many Remain Missing -- PCHR Calls upon the International Community and the Palestinian Government to Provide Emergency Shelters for the Victims of the Disaster -- At approximately 10:00 on Tuesday, 27 March 2007, four Palestinians, an elderly woman and 3 children, were killed and 20 others injured in the Um El-Naser (Bedouin) village, when the earth barriers around a sewage disposal pool broke 150 meters to the north of the village. As a result, sewage water flooded from the pool flooded the village, and the effect was more devastating due to the fact that the pool’s elevation was higher than the village, giving the flood more power and destructive force. more.. MAP - The Gaza Strip: Beit Lahiya - Waste water treatment plant flooding (as of 27 Mar 2007) ReliefWeb/United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 3/27/2007 Date: 27 Mar 2007 * Source(s): United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) * Type: Natural Disaster; Complex Emergency * Keyword(s): Floods; Water and Sanitation -- See also: View full map (PDF, 605k) more.. Land Day Demonstrations, This Friday & Saturday, March 30-31 International Solidarity Movement 3/27/2007 This Friday, March 30th, marks the 31st Anniversary of Land Day, a day commemorating the killing of six Palestinians in the Galilee on March 30, 1976 by Israeli troops during peaceful protests over the confiscation of Palestinian lands. Land Day links all Palestinians in their struggle against occupation, self-determination and national liberation. The central theme for this year’s Land Day focuses on Israel’s Apartheid Wall. Though Israel claims the Wall is being built for “security reasons,” the Wall annexes the land it seizes into Israel, and illegal Israeli settlements are built on the appropriated land, forcing into ghettos Palestinians who once lived and worked on the land. This Friday and Saturday, Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza will demonstrate against Israeli Apartheid and the destruction of their land. more.. New center to care for elderly Palestinians Daily Star 3/29/2007 BEKAA: Caritas Lebanon inaugurated the Love and Charity Center for the Support of Elderly Palestinian Refugees on Wednesday in the town of Taalabeya, Bekaa. The project is supported by the Humanitarian Aid Office of the European Commission and Caritas Austria. The president of Caritas Lebanon, Father Louis Samaha, said that the center was meant to assist "each and every" elderly Palestinian here, especially in the absence of minimum social and healthcare insurance." It has been decided to open the center here in the Taalabeya region in the Bekaa after we perceived the needs of the elderly for healthcare and social centers and for a constant follow-up in order to reduce the burden of their sufferings and to spark of hope in their lives," Samaha said. more.. University students harassed for wearing head scarves at checkpoint Palestine News Network 3/28/2007 Deputy Dr. Najat Abu Bakr unveiled a new phenomenon that is casting a shadow over Palestinian girls and women who cross the checkpoints daily. At southern Nablus’ Huwara Checkpoint a group of students from An Najah University spent hours being harassed for covering their heads. Israeli soldiers shouted at the university students that they were oppressed for opting to cover. The 70 year old man who attempted to intervene on behalf of the young women was held for seven hours. Israeli soldiers poured cold water over the elderly resident of Jenin’s Burquin Village and assaulted him. The government member, Abu Bakr, called for an end to such abusive practices, this newest phenomenon coming from the Druize community. He went straight to the mothers, asking why a community that historically honors custom is raising sons such as these... more.. See the Ad that CBS Didn’t Want You To International Solidarity Movement/US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation 3/28/2007 See the Ad that CBS Didn’t Want You To, from US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation - We’re really excited to let you know about an ad campaign that we’ll be running in the Washington, DC metro rail system in the month leading up to our June 10-11 mobilization against 40 years of Israeli military occupation. This ad campaign almost wasn’t though. CBS Outdoors, which manages advertising for the Washington, DC metro rail system, originally rejected our ad. However, after our friends at the ACLU intervened and defended our right to freedom of speech, CBS relented and DC commuters will view this ad almost 9 million times starting in May. -- See also: View the DC Metro Ad Campaign and View large version (PDF) more.. Lebanon and Palestine crisis ReliefWeb/Muslim Hands International 3/27/2007 There are two huge humanitarian crises looming in Lebanon and Gaza. The fact that the current conflict has seen more children than soldiers killed in Lebanon shows the true horror of this war and the blatant disregard for civilian life. The number of dead, injured and homeless in that country continues to rise daily with no prospect of a lasting peace in sight. Meanwhile, Israeli offensives continue apace in Gaza with daily civilian deaths and human suffering on an unimaginable scale, all barely reported by the media as events in Lebanon dominate. What We’re Doing: Muslim Hands is on the ground in Lebanon and Gaza -- Muslim Hands and its regional partners in Lebanon and in Gaza are continuing to provide vital aid to the innocent people who have fallen victim to the growing violence. more.. NGOs in Nablus demand a national plan to confront the strangulating effect of the numerous West Bank barriers Ma’an News Agency 3/28/2007 Nablus - Non-governmental organizations in the West Bank city of Nablus have called on the Palestinian Authority and all Palestinian nationalist and Islamic factions, in addition to all Palestinian organizations, to draw up a national plan in order to face the negative effects resulting from the existence of Israeli military barriers across the occupied territories. These barriers affect all facets of life in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially in Nablus. A statement issued by the NGOs in Nablus said that the barriers which surround Nablus from all sides turn the city and the area of Nablus into a huge prison, from which Palestinians are banned from entering or leaving. Some citizens may only cross after they have been detained for hours at the various barriers. During this time, Palestinians face all kinds of humiliation and suffering... more.. Stoking the Fires of Turmoil in Gaza Rafah Today 3/25/2007 [with photos] In an act which only adds to the chaos in the Gaza Strip these days, over 50 fishermen were recently arrested by Israeli Occupation Forces while fishing along the southern Gaza beach of Rafah. Palestinian sources said that most of the fishermen were released later on. Nonetheless, the daily shelling continues from the Israeli Occupation Forces’ warships constantly patrolling Gazan waters. This has made it difficult for fishermen to go as deep and often as they need into the Palestinian Mediterranean sea, veritably the only source of income to thousands of fishermen. Abu Hamam, 42 years old, reported: ”My five children are expecting me to come back with food for them, some fish to feed their stomachs. It’s useless; my boat was damaged by Israeli gunfire. ” He added: “What is their goal in targeting us..." more.. Nine dead and more feared buried in northern Gaza Strip disaster Palestine News Network 3/27/2007 The sewage lines burst and several water basins collapsed in the northern Gaza Strip late Tuesday morning. Umm Al Nasser is a Bedouin Village north of Gaza City that was already in need of infrastructure repair. Civil services rushed to the Beit Lahia area village as the death toll mounted today, ending with nine killed and dozens more injured. Those numbers could rise, however, as bodies may be buried under the earthen beams surrounding the sewage basins. Homes are flooded with sewage, making those still standing uninhabitable for the village’s 200 families. The humanitarian disaster is compounded by the tragedy of villagers searching for missing children. Nine people have arrived dead in Kamal Radwan Hospital thus far with medical sources there saying that it is more than likely that the death toll will rise as rescue work continues. more.. Israelis destroying children’s play area and seven homes near Al Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem Palestine News Network 3/27/2007 Muslim and Christian dignitaries held an emergency meeting in Jerusalem last night. The subject was demolition in the Old City’s Bab Hatta neighborhood that will leave seven families homeless and hundreds of children without a place to play. Gathered in the headquarters of the Burj Al Laqlaq Society, committee members agreed to operate another tent in order to entertain children in the Old City for starters. They penned a statement asking for international assistance with this, and the larger issue at hand, that is the Israeli takeover of Jerusalem. ”We call on the entire world to stand against this attack that affects the rights of children to play, and for Palestinians to live dignified lives in their own homes on their own land. ”To demolish a place where children play contravenes the International Declaration of Human Rights, said the committee on Tuesday. more.. Water rights expert: Israel must compensate for theft of Palestinian water Palestine News Network 3/27/2007 Dr. Fadiyah Deibs is calling for the United Nations to put an end to the Israeli siege on Palestinian water sources. The Israelis control the Palestinian water supply and therefore the Palestinians have no rights in this regard, said the natural resources expert in the UN on Tuesday. She said that it is the responsibility of the United Nations to enforce implementation of its own resolutions, and among those is the permanent Palestinian right to rule its own water sources. Dr. Deibs pointed out that at a time when the international community celebrates World Water Day it is an ultimate shame that Israel continues to get away with controlling Palestinian water, and diverting it for its own use in settlements and inside its boundaries. Many also have noted that the route of the Israeli Wall built inside the West Bank is laid out in such a way that the sources of water are on the Israeli side. more.. Tree-planting in Qalqilya governorate to mark Land Day Ma’an News Agency 3/27/2007 Qalqilya - The Palestinian youth association in the Qalqilya governorate, located in the northwest of the occupied West Bank, carried out a tree-planting campaign in Jayyus village, in the north east the governorate, to mark the imminent Land Day (30 March), under the slogan, ’The Land Is The Most Precious Thing We Have’. Mohamed ’Amer, the head of the association ’Ibda’ Al-Shabab’ (which means ’Creativity of Youth’) in Qalqilya, reported that as part of the campaign, which took place in cooperation with the municipality of Jayyus, they planted trees in the children’s garden in Jayyus. [end] Palestinian envoys visit Sfeir to mark Land Day Daily Star 3/28/2007 BEIRUT: Palestinians in Lebanon marked the 31st commemoration of Land Day at the Press Federation headquarters in Verdun on Tuesday. Several Palestinian and Lebanese figures from civil society and the political sphere spoke at the gathering on what Land Day meant to them and their cause. Speakers called on attendees of the Arab League summit this week to resist American and Israeli pressures. Land Day, held on March 30 each year, marks the killing of six Israeli Arabs and detention and abuse of hundreds of others by the Israeli Army and police in 1976 during Israeli expropriations of Arab land. Land Day has become a worldwide day of commemoration and demonstration not only for Israeli Arabs, but for all Palestinians and their supporters. more.. Despite frequent warnings, an environmental disaster hits the Bedouin Village, wall of sewage water basin collapses killing four Al Mezan Center for Human Rights 3/27/2007 The wall of a sewage water basin located on a hill in north-east of the Bedouin Village in north Gaza collapsed today creating a flood. The disaster resulted in the death of four - two women and two children - and caused massive damage to many houses. Rescue operations and searches for survivors are ongoing. According to Al Mezan’s field information, the level of sewage water in the basin has exceeded its capacity and destroyed one of the sand walls causing a flood at app. 10am today, 27 March 2007. Water attacked the houses in the village, which are built on land lower than that of the basin. As a result, four have been killed and 18 injured, among whom were 10 women and three children. The identity of three of the dead have not yet been identified. In addition, dozens of homes were flooded and damaged and some collapsed completely. more.. Flood of sewage in Gaza Strip village kills at least five people Ha’aretz 3/27/2007 An earth embankment around a sewage reservoir collapsed Tuesday, spewing a river of waste and mud that killed at least five people and forced residents to flee from a village in the northern Gaza Strip, officials said. A local Palestinian official blamed the disaster on shoddy infrastructure and United Nations officials said they had been warning of a catastrophe for more than two years. Two women in their 70s, two toddlers and a teenage girl died in the sudden flood, and 25 people were injured, said Dr. Muawiya Hassanin of the Palestinian Health Ministry. At least 25 houses were completely submerged. Palestinian emergency workers poled between the houses on flat-bottomed boats and chickens fled their coops to perch high on power lines. more.. Catastrophe in Gaza: flood of sewage kills six, numbers rising Ma’an News Agency 3/27/2007 Gaza - At least six Palestinians have died and many others have been injured when a pool of sewage burst its banks near the Bedouin village of Um An-Nasir in the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning. The rescue operation is ongoing. The sewage, which was held in a reservoir, destroyed the decades-old walls and flooded an area where many Bedouins live. At least 25 houses in the Bedouin village of approximately 5,000 inhabitants were surrounded by the polluted water. One of the killed people was identified as Nasira Abu Atiq, 80, according to medical sources. The head of emergencies in the Palestinian health ministry, Dr. Mu’awiya Hassanein, confirmed to Ma’an the death of six Palestinians and the injury of many others. The mayor of the village, Ziad Abu Farya, said, "Nearly 70 percent of the village’s houses were surrounded by the contaminated water..." more.. Israeli forces contravene Fourth Geneva Convention: disallow ambulance to reach the wounded, 2 dead Palestine News Network 3/27/2007 Israeli forces killed 24 year old Muhanad Imreish and 26 year old Ala’ Ziad of the Fateh-linked Al Aqsa Brigades this morning. Israeli forces invaded Nablus’ Old City at dawn Tuesday and the armed resistance responded. Local sources report that military vehicles stormed the city during the early morning hours and besieged the Casbah. The armed resistance attempted to stave off the invasion near the blacksmith market which led to the injury of a large group of resistance fighters. Medical sources told PNN that ambulance crews headed to the site and tried repeatedly to access the wounded. However, in direct contravention to the Fourth Geneva Convention, the Israeli soldiers forced them to stay away despite appeals from neighbors, medics and the injured themselves. more.. VIDEO - Welcome To Inspection Point (2/3) Electronic Intifada 3/27/2007 Video, Domhan Eile Media Project, 27 March 2007 -- Israel has occupied the West Bank and Gaza for 39 years. In 1948, 900,000 Palestinians were expelled from present day Israel. Their six million descendants live in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza and the surrounding Arab States. An 8-12 meter high wall stretches 622km annexing 13. 1 percent of the West Bank. Seven students and a camera visited the West Bank for three weeks in June 2006. They drove around the West Bank, spending time in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Aida Camp, Jenin, Ramallah among other areas. This is a glimpse of what they encountered. [end] -- See also: YouTube video link Parents of Palestinian girl killed by IDF in December sue state Ha’aretz 3/27/2007 The parents of a Palestinian child who was shot dead by IDF soldiers near Tul Karm in December have filed a compensation suit against the state. The father of 14-year-old Doaa Abd al-Qadr, who has been in police custody on suspicion of auto theft for five months, is due to be released Tuesday." Doaa returned from school that day as she always had, accompanied by a 12-year-old friend" the suit, submitted to the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, begins. The two girls passed close to the separation barrier near Faroun Village in the Tul Karm province, when IDF soldiers opened fire at them. Doaa was fatally wounded and taken to Beilinson Hospital, where she died. An inquiry concluded that the soldiers mistook Doaa for a terrorist. GOC Southern Command Yair Naveh, who probed the incident, dismissed the soldier who shot Doaa and his commander. more.. Amnesty Calls on Arab Leaders to Press for an International Force in Palestine International Middle East Media Center 3/27/2007 Amnesty International has called on the Arab leaders, ahead of their due summit meeting in Saudi Arabia Wednesday, to lobby for the deployment of an international monitoring force across the occupied Palestinian territories. The statement maintained that this force should be authorized to abide all parties concerned with the respect of international humanitarian laws and take the necessary measures against those who violate these laws. The proposed force’s mandate should also include verifying each party’s rights and obligations in accordance with the international law, the statement made clear. Such a monitoring mechanism should as well guarantee free of movement of the Palestinian population, removal of the Israeli separation barrier in the West Bank, halting all Israeli excessive measures against the Palestinians... more.. Palestinian resident of Jerusalem is exiled into the West Bank Ma’an News Agency 3/27/2007 Jerusalem - Israeli occupation forces on Tuesday exiled a Palestinian man citizen from Jerusalem, Ibrahim Ubaydat, aged 45, from Jabal al Mukkabir neighbourhood, into the occupied Palestinian West Bank. Ma’an’s correspondent stated that an Israeli police unit broke into the man’s house and took to him to the military post in his neighbourhood. They then took him to Rachel’s Tomb checkpoint en route to Bethlehem, in the West Bank. Ubaydat told Ma’an’s correspondent that the Israeli police commander told him that he is executing a decision made by the Israeli ministry of interior. The decision states that he should be exiled from Jerusalem under the pretext that he is illegally residing there. Ubaydat is married with seven children and his wife is a Palestinian holder of an Israeli ID card. more.. Israeli prison administration attempts to break nonviolent resistance Palestine News Network 3/27/2007 Human rights sources report that a Palestinian political prisoner from Jenin’s town of Burqin was transferred from Al Naqab Prison in order to put an end to his nonviolent resistance. Bilal Hamada had declared an open hunger strike in protest of the Israeli authorities continuing to hold him beyond his 40 month sentence. The hunger strike is one of the oldest and most effective forms of nonviolent resistance available to political prisoners world-wide, according to international human rights sources. Concerned for their son’s health, the Hamada family said on Tuesday, “The occupation authorities are fully responsible for the life of our son who continues his open hunger strike, now in its eighth day. ”The family’s appeal continued, “Bilal’s health is deteriorating and instead of releasing him, the occupation authorities have transferred him... more.. Al Mezan welcomes the CEC’s update of the election registry and encourages citizens to participate in the registration process Al Mezan Center for Human Rights 3/26/2007 The Central Elections Committee (CEC) announced the commencement of the process of updating the election registry, which is to take place between 28 March 2007 and 1 April 2007. The last registry update was conducted during 13 – 17 November 2005. On 25 March 2007, the CEC has also launched an awareness campaign in all of Gaza’s districts, distributing educational materials regarding the updating of the registry. Al Mezan Center for Human Rights welcomes the CEC’s decision to update the registry and positively views its educational campaign to encourage voters to register. The Center also understands the registration process to be one of the most important and sensitive stages in the election process. more.. 13 days following the kidnapping of Johnston, Al Mezan calls upon the PNA and the government to secure his release Al Mezan Center for Human Rights 3/25/2007 Thirteen days have passed since the kidnapping of the BBC’s correspondent Alan Johnston and the situation remains mysterious. The Palestinian Ministry of Interior and other executive authorities have failed to undertake their obligations to secure his release. Johnston was kidnapped at app. 14. 45pm on 12 March 2007, while driving down Al Wehda Street in Gaza City, as four gunmen in a white vehicle blocked his way, and forced him out of his car. No information on his whereabouts has yet been released. Although 13 days have passed since Johnston’s kidnapping, the PNA has failed to undertake its legal obligations in securing and protecting him and other foreign citizens in the territory under its control. Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns the kidnapping of Johnston as a flagrant violation of human rights... more.. Students in Beirut mobilize against the Apartheid Wall Stop The Wall 3/22/2007 From the 12th to the 15th of March, students at the American University of Beirut (AUB) organized a three day campaign to make the Apartheid Wall, its reality, political meaning and effects on the ground better known on their campus. A mock wall, a photo exhibit, film screenings, a panel discussion and circulation of a petition have helped to draw attention to the crimes of the Israeli state across the border and to demonstrate solidarity with the Palestinian struggle. Twelve university clubs partnered with the Palestinian Culture Club to create the event. Students from the Art Club worked for days to create a 10 meter large mock wall that ran across the campus. The wall is adorned with graffiti - "tear down the wall," a painted Palestinian flag and Naji al-Ali’s celebrated icon, Handala. more.. German human rights lawyer to give public lecture in Ramallah Ma’an News Agency 3/26/2007 Bethlehem - The German human rights lawyer Wolfgang Kaleck is giving a series of lectures in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories this week. Under the auspices of the Palestinian human rights organization ’Al Haq’, and the coalition ’United Against Torture’ (UAT), the advocate Wolfgang Kaleck is giving a public lecture entitled “Torture and Universal Jurisdiction” in the Protestant Hall in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Thursday, 29th March 2007, from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Mr. Kaleck is a leading defender of universal jurisdiction and prosecutor of war criminals for international crimes. He is one of the lawyers involved in the prosecution of former US Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, in Germany. Organised by the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI)... -- See also: Public Committee Against Torture in Israel - PCATI more.. Teenager severely beaten and then placed under house arrest Palestine News Network 3/26/2007 Fadi Shqerat is a 17 year old boy from Sawahre in East Jerusalem who Israeli soldiers beat so severely on 12 February his leg is broken. He is not allowed to leave home, accused of throwing stones. During the height of nonviolent demonstrations against Israeli excavations at Al Aqsa Mosque’s Moroccans Gate Fadi was leaving his school when he saw Israeli soldiers chasing his fellow students. Not knowing exactly what was happening Fadi opted to keep out of things and run and hide. However, a soldier saw Fadi and pushed him up against a wall. After he fell to the ground, four soldiers began to beat him with their rifle butts throughout his body until he lost consciousness. The soldiers then began dragging the teenager along the ground. An eyewitness reported seeing the Israelis jumping on Fadi’s leg. more.. IDF cancels ban on Israelis driving Palestinians in West Bank Ha’aretz 3/26/2007 Israel Defense Forces GOC Central Command Yair Naveh on Sunday canceled a ban prohibiting Israelis from taking Palestinian passengers in their vehicles within the West Bank. Naveh issued the order a few months ago to prevent Israeli citizens from picking up illegal workers or potential suicide bombers from the occupied territories, and driving them to Israel. The order, which was due to take effect in January, was never put into practice and was finally withdrawn due to a petition filed by civil rights groups with the High Court of Justice. In their petition, the groups claimed the ban constituted an "apartheid measure" because it institutionalized racial separation. "Such was the situation in South Africa during the apartheid, and such it was in the American South until the 1960s. There are some things one does not do," they wrote. more.. As Prisoners Day approaches, female detainees appeal to be freed International Middle East Media Center 3/26/2007 The Nafha Society for Defending Human Rights and the Rights of the Detainees, stated that Palestinian female detainees are facing harsh living conditions in Israeli prisons, and are facing torture, repeated attacks and are deprived from their basic rights. The Society called on the Palestinian people, president and government in addition to all faction to organize a wide campaign for the support of the detainees who are facing Israeli violation to their rights and to the international law. The Society added that several female detainees are confined to solitary in underground cells, dark and filled with humidity, and are deprived from their visitations rights. As the Prisoners Day approaches, April 17, Palestinian female detainees, as well as all detainees, are still living under bad conditions, and facing continuous harassments... more.. Gazan journalists to strike in protest against abduction of BBC reporter Ma’an News Agency 3/26/2007 Gaza - Journalists in the Gaza Strip are continuing their protest against the abduction of the BBC reporter in Gaza, Alan Johnson, who was abducted two weeks ago. The journalists union in Gaza announced that today, Monday, will be a day of general strike for all journalists in the Strip. The union also threatened to withdraw every journalist’s membership if he/she is not to be committed to the strike. A member of the journalists’ union council, Sakhir Abu Oun, confirmed that the union has made an agreement with the council of ministers not to allow any journalist to cover the activities of the council for this day. The journalists will carry out a sit-down strike at the same time as journalists in London who are also expected to carry out a strike protesting the abduction. Both strikes will be broadcast live on BBC. [end] Israeli forces beat and arrest seven young men in Bethlehem Palestine News Network 3/25/2007 On the same day that the United Nations Secretary General was in Bethlehem’s Aida Refugee Camp, Israeli forces contravened UN resolutions by continuing the occupation. They also invaded southern Bethlehem’s town of Beit Fajar. Soldiers broke into several homes and forced residents into the streets before tearing through their belongings. Eyewitnesses report that seven patrols of Israeli military jeeps raided the town early this morning as residents slept. They brought in trained dogs as they dragged out screaming children into the streets. Woman, men and the elderly were not spared the treatment either. The dogs were set loose inside the homes in what was described as “deliberate provocation. ”During the attack seven young men were blindfolded and bound. Israeli soldiers beat them with their fists and rifle butts..." more.. Leftists protest near disputed Hebron house YNetNews 3/25/2007 Dozens of activists rally in Hebron outside Palestinian house occupied by settlers. MKs Avshalom Vilan, Dov Khenin attend protest, demand government evict settlers ’before it’s too late’ -- Dozens of left-wing activists arrived in Hebron Sunday and held a rally near a Palestinian-built house that was occupied by hundreds of settlers last week. The settlers maintain that they bought the house legally, but a local Palestinian family contests their claim. "Peretz is neglecting his duty," Peace Now secretary-general Yariv Oppenheimer said. "If the settlers aren’t evacuated today, we’ll witness a second Amona here tomorrow," he said, referring to the violent evacuation of the illegal West Bank outpost last year. About a week ago, some 300 yeshiva students and youths took up occupation of the four-story building near Hebron... more.. Palestine Times Hits the Shelves International Solidarity Movement 3/26/2007 VIDEO included - Follow the link to the American Hummus website to watch the video, as aired by CNN, by clicking [below]. The first issue of Palestine Times to be sold in Israel ran a front page story called: ‘East Jerusalem is occupied territory’ by Asa Winstanley -- RAMALLAH – In a private letter to Morocco’s King Muhammad VI, British Prime Minister Tony Blair says his government “considers East Jerusalem to be occupied territory,” the Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding (CAABU) said yesterday. Working as chair of the Organization of the Islamic Conference’s committee on Jerusalem, King Muhammad had sent letters to various heads of state asking them to clarify their position on the status of Jerusalem. In his March 12 reply, Blair stated explicitly that Britain does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over any part of the city. -- See also: American Hummus and Watch the video more.. 75 human rights organisations attend an EU workshop in Ramallah Ma’an News Agency 3/26/2007 Ramallah - 75 human rights organisations from across the West Bank and Gaza Strip are attending a workshop on the European Union’s human rights policy in the West Bank city of Ramallah today, Monday, 26 March. According to a press release from the organisers of the workshop, the European Commission Technical Assistance Office (ECTAO) in Jerusalem, the purpose of the workshop is "to exchange information on how EU human rights policy is formed and to provide a better understanding of EU funding mechanisms." ECTAO added that the workshop provided "a great opportunity to discuss the role of human rights organisations in the formulation of EU human rights policy and the challenges they face in the implementation of their projects." more.. Evictions continue in East Jerusalem Middle East Online 3/24/2007 Hundred East Jerusalem families estimated to have been left homeless after demolitions by Israel in 2006. -- EAST JERUSALEM - Two months ago, the 12 members of the Abdullah family awoke at 7. 30am to find their home in East Jerusalem surrounded by 2,000 Israeli soldiers. They were hustled out as two bulldozers from the Jerusalem Municipality tore it down – leaving them to face the winter cold with just a canvas Red Cross tent for shelter. “We have no money to rent a flat here and no relatives who can take us in. Years of saving money and work disappeared in 30 minutes,” said Milouk Abdullah, a 55-year-old scrap-metal dealer. Abdullah’s house in Al Tur, on the city’s hilly eastern outskirts, was officially demolished because the family built it without a permit. more.. Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, 15 - 21 March 2007 Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 3/22/2007 Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Continue to Commit War Crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) * 2 Palestinian, including a child, killed by IOF in the West Bank. * 13 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children were wounded by IOF. * 8 of these civilians were wounded in Bal’ein village, west of Ramallah; 4 were injured by IOF gunfire at checkpoints. * IOF conducted 31 incursions into Palestinian communities in the OPT, including a minor incursion into the Central Gaza Strip. * IOF arrested 61 Palestinians, including 6 children, in the West Bank. * 4 civilians, including 2 fishermen, arrested from the Gaza Strip. * IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT. * IOF positioned at a checkpoint in the West Bank arrested 1 Palestinian civilian. * The Gaza Strip has suffered from shortages in fuels and basic goods.... -- See also: Full Report (PDF) more.. Israel accused of ’apartheid’ Al Jazeera 3/22/2007 Dugard said Gaza was an imprisoned society, with things little better in the West Bank -- A UN human rights envoy has likened Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in occupied territory to "apartheid", and said that failure to tackle the situation will make it hard to solve abuses elsewhere. John Dugard, a UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, made his remarks to the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday. Dugard, a South African lawyer, said restrictions on movement and separate residential areas gave a sense of "deja vu" to anyone with experience of apartheid, noting that apartheid was "contrary to international law". He said: "Of course there are similarities between the OPT [Occupied Palestinian Territory] and apartheid South Africa." He also told the council that the situation "places in danger the whole international human rights enterprise". more.. The Occupation of Hebron : Call for Papers International Solidarity Movement 3/26/2007 The Occupation of Hebron : Legal Aspects - Call for papers: an international students’ competition from the ICRC -- As a specialized journal in humanitarian law, the International Review of the Red Cross invites submissions of manuscripts on subjects relating to international humanitarian law, policy and action. All academic submissions related to these themes are welcome. This includes as well papers on the territories occupied by Israel, and in particular related to the jurisprudence of the Israeli High Court. The international student’s competition on legal aspects of the occupation of Hebron falls within the scope of these criteria, as many other manifestations related to international humanitarian law do in other contexts. No article has been recently published by the International Review on the Israeli and Palestinian context... more.. Political cartoon: How to Steal a Palestinian Home By Katie, International Solidarity Movement 3/26/2007 Marzel, by Katie. -- See also: Larger image more.. Bikes vs. Bombs By Martinez, International Solidarity Movement 3/23/2007 It started out to be a magnificent afternoon here in Ramallah. Being an avid bicyclist back home in Pittsburgh and San Francisco, biking against oil wars, my eyes lit up like a small child in a sparkling candy store when I read the following announcement: “The East Jerusalem-YMCA’s “Youth to Youth Initiative” is organizing the Palestine International Bike Race, aimed at promoting peace and tolerance among ethnic, religious and national groups in the region. The idea stemmed from the increasing need to stop violating human rights and lift the movement restrictions and blocks which prevent the Palestinians to move freely. Participants from the Palestinian Territories, Israel and different international identities will join the event. ” more.. Land theft continues to destroy lives in Jenin district Stop The Wall 3/8/2007 Occupation forces have distributed military confiscation orders in Faqu’a Zabda, Yabat and Barta’a village, northern Jenin district. -- 150 dunum of land has been confiscated alone in Faqu’a, north east of the district capital. The land is located east of the Apartheid Wall that has been encroaching on the village’s land since 2004,, its path passing only meters from the boundaries. The people of the village were not informed of the reasons for the land theft. The most plausible explanation seems to be that the Occupation wants to erect a secondary wall, fence or military zone to expand the damage made by the main wall and to ensure that nobody can get close to it. The occupation forces have destroyed or isolated around 460 dunum from the village land so far to build the Apartheid Wall and the people have not been allowed to access the isolated land. more.. Fishing the Mediterranean: one of the toughest jobs in Gaza has just gotten harder Palestine News Network 3/13/2007 It is sardine season in the Mediterranean off the Gaza coast. Fishermen need to go out 15 miles to do their work, but Israeli forces are opening fire on the sardine hunters. This is a violation of Article 11 of the Israeli-Palestinian Protocol which stipulates the right of Palestinian fishing boats to go out 20 nautical miles from the coast in a specific region. President Abbas is trying put an end to hostilities against Palestinian fishermen by appealing to the Israeli Prime Minister. But during the Intifada the space was reduced and it keeps getting smaller. The Israeli navy would not attack within 10 nautical miles to shore. That number was reduced to six and then to nothing for half a year. And this summer, although six is still what the Israelis say, the distance before being fired upon is between four and five miles. Although even a distance of less than one mile proves dangerous at times. more.. MP arrested for third time in ongoing campaign against Hamas party members in PLC International Middle East Media Center 3/13/2007 Less than a month after his release from prison, Israeli forces again arrested Palestinian Legislative Council member Ahmed Abdel Azziz Mubarak. This is the third time the 43 year old member of the Change and Reform bloc of the PLC has been arrested due to his political affiliation. Mubarak’s wife said that a large contingent of Israeli forces besieged the family home in southern Al Bireh, Ramallah’s neighboring city. The invasion began at 3:30 am Monday with Israeli soldiers breaking into all apartments in the Sharait neighborhood building before storming Mubarak’s apartment. She described the raid as “brutal. ” Tens of masked soldiers broke into the family’s home and rapidly began tearing through the rooms before dragging the Palestinian official into the night. Without allowing him to change out of his pajamas, troops took Mubarak in the back of a jeep to an unknown location. more.. BBC Journalist Likely to be Freed in Gaza Palestine Chronicle 3/13/2007 Palestinian Interior Minister Saeed Seyam of Hamas described the kidnapping as a "criminal act" and security forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah declared a state of emergency. -- GAZA, March 13 (Reuters) - The Hamas-led Palestinian government said on Tuesday it has information about who abducted a BBC correspondent in the Gaza Strip and expected him to be released soon." This issue is on its way to being solved, God willing. We have definite information regarding the parties behind this kidnapping," said Hamas government spokesman Ghazi Hamad. Hamad offered no other details. Alan Johnston, who has been the BBC’s correspondent in Gaza for three years, was abducted on Monday while driving his car in the coastal strip. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
