Palestinians Approve Prime Minister Post
The Guardian, March 10, 2003
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - The Palestinian parliament on Monday approved the new position of prime minister as part of reforms sought by the United States, Europe and Israel to curb Yasser Arafat's near absolute powers.

US Confirms Delay of Palestinian-Israeli Peace Settlement
Palestine Media Center, March 9, 2003
In a sharp rebuff to European allies, Russia and the United Nations, the US administration has decided not to put forth a plan for a peace settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians until after the crisis in Iraq is resolved, thus confirming a linkage declared by President Bush late February between the Iraqi crisis and the Middle East peace process.

Restraint is dead, warns Hamas
The Guardian, March 10, 2003
Assassination in Gaza sparks threats against Israeli cabinet -- Hamas has accused Israel of launching a strategy to assassinate Palestinian leaders who oppose Ariel Sharon's plans to impose an emasculated form of independence on the occupied territories.

Woman, Child among Sixteen Palestinians Wounded by IOF Gunfire
Palestine Media Center, March 10, 2003
Shepherd Killed by Israeli Landmine -- At least sixteen Palestinians were wounded in the Gaza Strip Sunday as the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) pressed on with their military aggression in the densely populated territory, of which the northern part is currently re-occupied by Israel.

Israel Demolishes Palestinian Homes, Hamas Fires Qassams
Islam Online, March 10, 2003
Israeli occupation forces continued demolition of Palestinian houses -- OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, March 9 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas fighters fired four home-made Palestinian rockets from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel on Sunday, March 9, one day after assassination of a leading figure of the group by Israeli warplanes.

IDF troops re-deploy in northern Gaza Strip
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
IDF troops re-organized in areas in northern Gaza Strip that they took control over last week after the Haifa suicide attack that left 16 people dead. Earlier reports claimed that the troops had begun to withdraw from the territory.

Arafat Urges New Peace Drive After Naming Premier
Reuters, March 10, 2003
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian President Yasser Arafat called on Monday for a swift resumption of peace talks with Israel and condemned Palestinian militant attacks on Israeli civilians. He was speaking to a session of the Palestinian parliament convened to approve his appointment of leading Palestinian moderate Mahmoud Abbas as prime minister to spearhead a reform drive seen as crucial to reviving a peace process.

State must relieve crowded jails
Jerusalem Post, March 9, 2003   
One-hundred and fifty-three detainees in police lockups do not have beds to sleep in and there is no relief in sight, the state told the High Court of Justice on Sunday. The state was responding to a petition submitted by Physicians for Human Rights calling on the government to provide a bed for every detainee being held before trial.

Israel Admits to Extra-Judicial Assassination
Palestine Media Center, March 9, 2003
PNA Condemns it as Attempt to Sabotage PM Appointment -- Israel publicly admitted to carrying out the extra-judicial assassination of a top Hamas leader and his three bodyguards on Saturday, enraging the Palestine National Authority (PNA), which condemned the killing as a “crime” perpetrated to sabotage meetings aimed at appointing a prime minister for the Authority.

MI chief now says Iraq war next week
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
The American war on Iraq will begin next week, intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Aharon Zeevi told the government yesterday. In a review Zeevi said the U.S. would try to secure majority support for the attack at the UN Security Council, but would still launch the attack even if France or Russia vetoed the resolution.

Water Is a Method of Political Control’
Arab News, March 10, 2003
RIYADH, 10 March 2003 — “The way water is being used as a method of control in Palestine is a hidden agenda that rarely reaches the media headlines,” said Dr. Nidal Salim of the Palestinian Water Authority. “It’s a hidden war that has been going on since 1948.”

Refusenik wants case heard in civil court
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
Yonatan Ben-Artzi, a 20-year-old conscientious objector refusing to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, yesterday petitioned the High Court of Justice have his case transfered from the military to the civilian court system.

State urges High Court to uphold ban on Bakri's film, `Jenin, Jenin'
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
The State Prosecutor's Office, representing the film censorship board, yesterday asked the High Court of Justice to reject a petition by actor/director Mohammed Bakri and the Documentary Creators Forum to lift the censorship board's ban on the public showing of Bakri's movie, "Jenin, Jenin," and to revoke the Mandate-era law that empowers the panel.

PLO: Peace, Security Are Impossible Under Occupation and Settlement
Palestine Media Center, March 10, 2003
Central Council Rejects All Forms of Terrorism, Violence Against Civilians -- The Central Council (CC) of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) concluded its two-day emergency session Sunday by endorsing President Yasser Arafat’s proposal to create the post of prime minister for the Palestine National Authority (PNA), and by confirming PLO commitment to the peace process as a strategic option and to peaceful means to realize the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people on the basis of the two-state solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Report: Sharon, King Abdullah hold secret meetings
Al-Bawaba, March 9, 2003
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met with Jordan's King Abdullah II three months ago in Jordan to coordinate the two countries' positions ahead of a possible U.S.-led war in Iraq, Israel's Channel Two television reported Saturday evening.

Iraq war delays publication of `road map'
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
The publication of the international "road map" for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be put off until after the war with Iraq, diplomatic sources say. The reports imply that the American administration is not interested in publishing the road map while its attention is fixed on Iraq and prefers to wait until circumstances are suitable for intervening between Israel and the Palestinians.

Palestinian resistance retaliates by al-Qassam missiles, Israeli forces bomb homes
Arabic News, March 10, 2003
The Israeli armed forces yesterday continued attacks against the Palestinians, who retaliated by bombarding Sderout settlement with al-Qassam missiles.

Palestinians criticise Arafat's choice of PM
Gulf News, March 10, 2003
Palestinians say the move to appoint Mahmoud Abbas as the new Palestinian prime minister will have significant implications for America's own plans in the Middle East.

PLC approves creation of new PM post by large majority
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
UN's Larsen urges Palestinians to empower prime minister to renew talks with Israel. -- The Palestinian Legislative Council approved Monday in Ramallah the creation of the new post of Palestinian prime minister, by a vote of 64-3, with four absentations.

Palestinians trim Arafat powers
BBC, March 10, 2003
The Palestinian parliament has voted overwhelmingly to create the new post of prime minister, in what is seen as a significant reform move.
The Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, finally agreed last month to loosen his grip on power after persistent international pressure.

Sharon coalition dims prospects for peace
The Guardian, March 10, 2003
The Editor briefing -- Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, has turned to parties from the right to create a ruling coalition which controls 68 of the 120 seats in the knesset, Israel's parliament.

ISM Update: Susan Barclay's Re-Arrest Hearing
International Solidarity Movement, March 9, 2003
At 9 am tomorrow morning the Jerusalem District Court will conduct a hearing concerning the re-arrest of the American peace activist Susan Barclay. The case for her re-arrest is being presented by Israel's Interior Ministry which claims that her activities as a non-violent peace activist in Nablus represented a threat to Israel's security.

Occupation Chronicle Events in Palestine, March 10, 2003
Palestine Media Center, March 10, 2003
At least sixteen Palestinians were wounded by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) gunfire in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, a Palestinian shepherd was killed after stepping on an Israeli-planted landmine near Tulkarem. IOF Demolish 2 Houses in the West Bank / IOF Detain More than a Dozen Citizens

UN official 'saddened' by deaths, excessive force used in Gaza refugee camp
United Nations News Center, March 7, 2003
7 March – Reacting to a recent incursion by the Israeli military into a Gaza refugee camp, which left 11 Palestinians dead, a top UN relief official in the region said today he was "deeply distressed and saddened" by the incident and by the indiscriminate and excessive use of force.

Annan deeply deplores 'disproportionate and excessive' Israeli force in Gaza
United Nations News Center, March 6, 2003
6 March – United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today deeply deplored the use of "disproportionate and excessive force" by the Israeli military in a Gaza refugee camp, which reportedly led to the killing of 11 Palestinians and the injuring of more than 140.

Only political solution can resurrect devastated Palestinian economy - UN
United Nations News Center, March 5, 2003
5 March – Immediate implementation of a political solution leading to two states is the only way to resurrect the devastated Palestinian economy and protect Israel from "murderous attacks," a senior United Nations envoy for the Middle East, Terje Roed-Larsen, said today.

PLC set to approve appointment of Abu Mazen as prime minister amid dispute regarding his powers
Al-Bawaba, March 9, 2003
The Palestinian Legislative Council meets Monday in Ramallah to debate and approve the appointment of Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen), as prime minister of the Palestinian Authority.

Hamas rockets hit Israeli town; Israeli officer shot in Gaza Strip
Al-Bawaba, March 9, 2003
Four home-made Qassam rockets fired from the Gaza Strip landed near the Israeli town of Sderot on Sunday morning. No injuries were reported.

ISM: Clarification / Love and Resistance from Yanoun / Gaza / Mid East plea
International Solidarity Movement, March 9, 2003
Clarification / 1) Love and Resistance from Yanoun, by  Emily Winkelstein,  2) Israeli Army Continues Killing Spree in the Gaza Strip, by Kristen Ess,  3) Mid East Peace Plea (London Houses of Parliament) - Courtesy of Nick Cheel

King Abdullah meets with Sharon
Arabic News, March 10, 2003
Israeli sources disclosed yesterday that the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon had met during 2002 for several times with the Jordanian King Abdullah II.

Sharon names security cabinet
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has appointed 11 members to the ministerial committee on defense, known as the Security Cabinet.

Bassiouni dismisses Israel's alleged annexation of border area
Arabic News, March 10, 2003
Shura Council member Egyptian Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Bassiouni dismissed allegations by Yediot Ahronot newspaper's web site that the Israeli authorities annexed AL Mothalath El-Bahari (sea Triangle) area between the Egyptian Israeli borders in southern Eilat.

Israeli women earn 40% less than men
Globes, March  10, 2003
The gap in salaries is greater among the well-educated. -- Women in Israel earn an average of 60% of men’s salaries. The average man earns NIS 8,642 per month, compared with only NIS 5,160 for the average woman, according to Central Bureau of Statistics figures published for International Women’s Day.

Hear Palestine, March 9, 2003
Hear Palestine
NEWS:  Shepherd Killed in Tulkarem Town this Evening / Khan Younis: Child Wounded by Missile Shrapnel / Youth Critically Wounded North Gaza City / Hebron: 3 Homes Demolished; 8 Residents Arrested; Ongoing Settler Attacks / Tulkarem: Settlement Activities; Tightened Closure Measures / Bethlehem: Home Demolition Orders   FEATURES: Occupation Chases Beit Rima Children in Search for Wanted Children! / Female Detainees Suffer on Women's Day / 176 Women Killed; 51 Gave Birth at Military Roadblocks / The Canary Birds Died under the Rubble of Al-Sayid's Home / Barta'a Al-Sharqiya. A Small Village Strangled with Settlements and Roadblocks / 42 Palestinians, Including 11 Children Killed in One Week

U.S. embassy: Israel to receive warning of strike on Iraq
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
The United States Embassy said Monday afternoon that Israel would receive warning of the upcoming American strike on Iraq, contrary to reports in the Israeli media stating otherwise, Israel Radio reported. In a meeting with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Ambassador Dan Kurtzer said the media reports were baseless.

Analysis / Banana republic accounting
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
In December 2002, Israeli democracy went through a watershed experience - for the first time in its history, the defense ministry presented the treasury with its own budget book. Brig. Gen. Muli Ben-Avi prepared the defense ministry budget that contradicted a government decision.

Decisive meet on defense budget - today
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
A three-way meeting between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled today in the Prime Minister's Office to decide on the defense budget for this year.

Iraqi aid to terrorists' families continues
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
Even the continuing U.S. pressure on Iraq is not stopping Saddam Hussein from sending financial aid to the families of Palestinian suicide bombers in the territories. It appears now that the massive Iraqi support has started to arouse the concern of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, who fears that outside assistance reduces his influence on what happens in the territories.

IDF officer seriously hurt by sniper fire in Gaza 
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
An Israel Defense Forces officer was seriously injured yesterday in an attack by a Palestinian sniper on an army outpost in the Katif Bloc in the Gaza Strip. The officer, who was hit in the chest, was rushed to Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva for treatment.

Envoy to Belgium staying home for now, Shalom says
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
Israel's ambassador to Belgium will remain at home for the meanwhile, at least until after a Belgian parliamentary debate and decision on an amendment to the Belgian law that provides for trying international war criminals in the country, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom decided yesterday following internal deliberations at the ministry.

Four more Qassam rockets hit Sderot
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
Four Qassam rockets hit Sderot yesterday, despite the massive IDF presence in the adjacent northern end of the Gaza Strip. The rockets all fell in open land and did not cause any damage, although one local woman was taken to Ashkelon's Barzilai Medical Center suffering from shock.

Mofaz: IDF will keep on targeting Hamas
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz sent out a warning to Hamas yesterday, saying that the militant Palestinian organization remains at the top of Israel's list of targets.

IDF to implement new plan for the systematic conversion of non-Jewish immigrant soldiers
Haaretz, March 10, 2003
The IDF is set to begin the systematic conversion of non-Jewish immigrant soldiers from the former Soviet Union.

Foreign Ministry warns Israeli war talk fuels US anti-Semitism
Jerusalem Post, March 10, 2003
The Foreign Ministry has received reports from the US that the plethora of war predictions emanating from Israeli leaders is being sharply criticized by the US media, which accuse them of trying to goad the administration into war.

Cafe terror victims sue Palestinian Authority
Jerusalem Post, March 9, 2003 
The families of seven victims of last year's suicide bomb attack at Jerusalem's Moment cafe on Sunday filed suit against the Palestinian Authority and its chairman, Yasser Arafat, for NIS 135 million in damages.

Mofaz: Film shows Palestinians were killed by own bomb
Jerusalem Post, March 9, 2003   
A Palestinian-made bomb, and not an IDF tank shell, killed eight Gaza residents during the March 6 raid by Israeli soldiers in northern Gaza's Jabalya refugee camp, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Sunday after an IDF review of a televised videotape of the incident.

Litzman to be named new PM in first no-confidence motion
Jerusalem Post, March 9, 2003 
United Torah Judaism MK Ya'acov Litzman is to be proposed as an alternative prime minister when the 16th Knesset considers the first motion of no confidence in the Sharon government on Monday.

West bank apartment sales plummet 72%
Globes, March  10, 2003
Central Bureau of Statistics figures show that only 206 new apartments were sold in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza in 2002.

Mayor of Seclin, France brought to court for recommending boycott of Israeli products 
Alternative Information Center, March 10, 2003 
On March 12, 2003, Mayor Jean-Claude Willem (French Communist Party) will appear in the high court in Lille following accusations of incitement to anti-Semitism on account of his campaign of protest against Israeli policies in the Palestinian territories. The accusations were filed by representatives of the Jewish community in northern France.

U.S. Arrests Protesters Mourning Victims Of A War On Iraq
Islam Online, March 10, 2003
WASHINGTON, March 10 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Twenty-three protesters dressed in black and carrying flower-topped coffins to speak out for the victims of an anticipated war on Iraq were arrested Sunday, March 9, as they crossed a police perimeter around Capitol Hill, where the U.S. Congress meets.

Top UN rights official raises concerns about US treatment of terror detainees
United Nations News Center, March 6, 2003
6 March – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello, has raised his concerns about the treatment of detainees in the war on terror as well as the situation in Iraq during meetings with United States President George W. Bush and other top administration officials.

The veto and how to use it
BBC, March 10, 2003
Since 1945, when the United Nations was founded, the Soviet Union and Russia have used their veto at the Security Council 120 times, the United States 76 times, Britain 32, France 18 and China only five.

West's failure to donate humanitarian aid threatens catastrophe for millions
The Guardian, March 10, 2003
UN given only quarter of requested funds as plans fall behind -- With a war against Iraq perhaps days away, the world's richest governments have given the United Nations barely a quarter of the funds its agencies have asked for to deal with the expected humanitarian catastrophe.