Photo story: Israeli bulldozer driver murders American peace activist
The Electronic Intifada, March 16, 2003
On 16 March 2003 in Rafah, occupied Gaza, 23-year-old American peace activist Rachel Corrie from Olympia, Washington, was murdered by an Israeli bulldozer driver. Rachel was in Gaza opposing the bulldozing of a Palestinian home as a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement.

At least 11 Palestinians killed in Gaza Strip, West Bank; Israel arrests Palestinian legislator
Al-Bawaba, March 17, 2003
At least seven Palestinians were killed and 18 wounded early Monday after some 30 Israeli tanks and armored vehicles supported by Apache attack helicopters raided the Nusseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, residents said.

Israel closes borders
News24, March 16, 2003
Jerusalem - The Israeli army late on Saturday closed the borders with the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, a military communique said. "No Palestinian will be authorised to enter Israeli following alerts of attacks during the Jewish festival of Purim," celebrated from Monday to Wednesday, the communique said.

Arafat's PM bill shunned
BBC, March 17, 2003
Palestinian legislators reject changes to a bill establishing a prime minister amid fears they would weaken the post.

Planning panel wants mosque razed before appeal decision
Haaretz, March 17, 2003 
In an extraordinary move, the Nazareth District Planning Committee has petitioned the Nazareth District Court with a request for permission to immediately implement an order to demolish the foundations of the Shihab al-Din Mosque in the city issued by the local magistrates court without waiting for the result of an appeal against the order filed by the Waqf (Muslim religious trust).

Abed Rabbo: Israel exploiting Iraq situation
Haaretz, March 17, 2003
Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo on Monday accused Israel of exploiting the situation with Iraq to carry out operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israeli Chief of Staff Affirm Scheme to ‘Get Rid’ of Arafat
International Press Center, March 17, 2003
Tel Aviv, March 16, 03, (IPC+ Agencies) — In an unprecedented political move best described as a predetermined plot, the Israeli Chief of Staff, General Moshe Ya’alon spoke of a scheme to “get rid” of President Arafat as his immediate and specific aim and compared this to the American’s aim to get rid of Sadam Husein.

Palestinian legislators reject Arafat key demand regarding powers of PM
Al-Bawaba, March 17, 2003
Yasser Arafat suffered defeat in the Palestinian parliament Monday, with legislators rejecting his demand that a Cabinet formed by a future prime minister be "presented" to the Palestinian leader.

PA President Arafat cancels union elections in Gazan al-Azhar university
LAW Society, March 16, 2003
Elections for workers union representatives in the al-Azhar university in Gaza have been cancelled for the second time running in two years, following an order issued by PA President.

International, Israeli, Palestinian health workers call on Israeli Government to guarantee health workers protection
The Electronic Intifada/WHO, press release, March 15, 2003
In an unprecedented call for protection, international, Israeli and Palestinian aid agencies joined together today to call upon the Government of Israel to ensure that its military respects the neutrality of all health personnel, services and property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) including east Jerusalem.

Christian Aid's Palestinian partners prepare for the worst
The Electronic Intifada/Christian Aid, March 12, 2003
Christian Aid partners in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) are stockpiling food and medicines to prepare for the repercussions of a possible war in Iraq. They fear that, as world attention focuses on Iraq, Israeli incursions into the OPT will become even more fierce, with serious humanitarian consequences.

Analysis / The allies need to link Iraq and the territories
Haaretz, March 17, 2003
"National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice called in Jewish leaders to her office on Friday and told them they had nothing to worry about."  --
Abu Mazen won an unexpected promotion yesterday. From being a party man in the Palestine Liberation Organization, he was suddenly catapulted into the center of an international crisis.

Hear Palestine, March 17, 2003
NEWS: Tulkarem: 2 Killed in Explosion that Shook Saida Village / Al-Nusseirat: 7 Civilians Killed, Including Toddler in New Israeli Massacre /
Beit Lahya: 3 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Attack / Ramallah: Occupation Soldiers Arrest Youth from Evel Coffee Shop / Jenin: Curfew and Arrests in City and Refugee Camp; Invasion of Toubas / Nablus: Palestinian MP Arrested from the City / Israel Threatens to Demolish Al-Namsawi Quarter / Hebron: 4 Residents Wounded, Over 13 Arrested / Bethlehem: Curfew Imposed on Al-Khader; Arrests in City / Tulkarem: Home and Store Set on Fire; 5 Residents Arrested   FEATURES: Youth Killed while Rescuing the Wounded / Nightly Terror in Qifin / Deir al-Balah: Soldiers Invade Haddad Family Home 7 Times / Israeli Investigators Threaten to Rape Detainees, Arrest their Wives

75% of Palestinians Killed by Israeli Focres Were Civilians
Palestine Chronicle, March 17, 2003
A report released by the Israeli Forces last week presented inaccurate numbers as well as a misleading percentage of civilian deaths on the hands of the Israeli forces, Palestinian human rights groups said. The Israeli army has claimed it had only killed 365 “innocent” Palestinian civilians, 130 of whom were children under the age of 16, since the beginning of the Intifada or uprising against the Israeli occupation 29 months ago, the Israeli daily newspaper Ha’retz reported last week.

President Arafat Calls for Guarantees on Palestinian Statehood
Palestine Media Center, March 17, 2003
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat warned Sunday that a war on Iraq would amount to a “coup” against the region and called for guarantees on Palestinian statehood while US President Bush, British and Spanish premiers Blair and Aznar stressed the need for a Palestinian state in their summit on Iraq in the Portuguese Azores islands.

Israelis die after sealing room
BBC, March 17, 2003
An Israeli woman and two of her children died from suffocation while sleeping in a room they sealed against a chemical missile attack.

Outrage over Israeli bulldozer crushing of protester
Sydney Morning Herald, March 18, 2003
The United States is demanding a full investigation of the incident in which an American peace activist was crushed to death by an Israeli Army bulldozer in the Gaza Strip.

Activist who died for conviction
BBC, March 17, 2003
Rachel Corrie, the American killed by an Israeli army bulldozer, was a committed peace activist even before her arrival in the Gaza Strip a few months ago.

ISM Update of 15 March 2003: Tulkarem, Jenin, Susan Barclay
International Solidarity Movement, March 15, 2003
Tulkarem:  ISM Liberates Occupied House -- At 10 pm last night six ISM activists (from Sweden, the US, Canada, Occupied Palestine and Ireland) set out towards the Tulkarem Refugee Camp upon receiving information that the Israeli Army was conducting an operation in the area.

Rachel Corrie Murdered by Israeli Army
International Solidarity Movement, March 16, 2003
At about 5.20 pm today Rachel Corrie from Olympia in Washington State, USA died of her injuries in A-Najar Hospital in Rafah after being deliberately run over by an Israeli military bulldozer.

US demands Gaza killing probe
TheAge, March 17, 2003
"..although the department declined to condemn the incident, it said it had made clear to Israel that it expected a thorough probe into the matter." - The United States has demanded a full and immediate investigation by Israel into the death of a US peace activist who was crushed to death by an Israeli army bulldozer in the Gaza Strip as she tried to prevent the destruction of Palestinian homes.

STATEMENT ON THE MURDER OF RACHEL CORRIE
International Solidarity Movement, March 16, 2003

Rachel Corrie in her own words
International Solidarity Movement, March 17, 2003
The following is a brief statement by Rachel Corrie's parents followed by an essay she wrote during her time in Rafah.

Palestinians Express Sorrow over Death of American Activist
Palestine Chronicle, March 17, 2003
Israeli soldiers this evening killed an American peace activist from the Grassroots International Protection for Palestinians (GIPP)/ISM in the Al-Salam neighbourhood of Rafah city, in the south of the Gaza Strip.

Israel Kills 9 Palestinians, Including A Baby In Gaza Raids
Islam Online, March 17, 2003
GAZA CITY, March 17 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Israeli troops killed nine Palestinians, including a toddler and a 13-year-old boy, in raids on the Gaza Strip launched just hours before the Palestinian parliament was to meet to debate a revised bill defining the mandate of a new power-sharing prime minister.

Baby Girl, Boy Among 9 Palestinians Killed in Gaza Invasions
Palestine Media Center, March 17, 2003
Palestinian MP Detained by IOF   -- March. 17, 2003 - A two year-old baby girl, a boy and a teenager were among nine Palestinians killed by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), which invaded al-Nusseirat refugee camp and Beit Lahia town in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical and security sources said Monday.

IOF Closes Palestinian Territory, Bans Youth from Traveling Abroad
Palestine Chronicle, March 17, 2003
The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) accused Israel of “escalating their aggression against the Palestinian people” after the Israeli Forces late Saturday imposed a total closure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

10 Palestinians killed in IDF raids in Gaza Strip
Haaretz, March 17, 2003 
Five Qassam rockets were fired from Gaza at Sderot and other towns in the western Negev on Monday afternoon, several hours after seven Palestinians were killed, among them a two-year-old girl, when 30 Israel Defense Forces tanks and armored vehicles supported by Apache attack helicopters, raided the Nusseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip.

Israel carries out deadly Gaza raid
BBC, March 17, 2003
At least nine Palestinians are reported killed and 12 wounded after Israeli troops entered a refugee camp in central Gaza.
The Israelis sent tanks and armoured vehicles backed by helicopters into the Nusseirat camp early on Monday, exchanging intense gunfire with Palestinian fighters.

IDF arrests prominent Arafat critic Balatta camp near Nablus
Jerusalem Post, March 17, 2003
Palestinians reacted with fury and surprise to Sunday night's detention of lawmaker Husam Khader, a prominent and respected Fatah leader and an outspoken critic of corruption in the Palestinian Authority.

PLC rejects Arafat's amendment to law on PM's powers
Haaretz, March 17, 2003 
Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat suffered defeat in the Palestinian parliament Monday, with legislators rejecting his demand that a Cabinet formed by a future prime minister be "presented" to the Palestinian leader.

Gazans mourn American protester killed by IDF bulldozer
Haaretz, March 17, 2003 
GAZA - Hundreds of Palestinians held a symbolic funeral Monday for U.S. student Rachel Corrie, who was killed by an IDF bulldozer as she protested the demolition of a house in southern Gaza's Rafah refugee camp.

Activist death: US wants probe
News24, March 17, 2003
Washington - The United States on Sunday demanded a full and immediate investigation by Israel into the death of a US peace activist who was crushed to death by an Israeli army bulldozer in the Gaza Strip as she tried to prevent the destruction of Palestinian homes.

US woman killed 'deliberately'
News24, March 17, 2003 
Rafah, Gaza Strip - Rafah's small bunch of international peace activists were on Monday more determined than ever to keep up their perilous protection work after one of them was killed by an Israeli bulldozer as she tried to prevent the demolition of a Palestinian home in the Gaza Strip.

PLO Extends Condolences on Death of Activist Rachel Corrie
Palestine Media Center, March 17, 2003
“We are indebted to Rachel not only for her bravery and her integrity but also for the principled message of non-violent resistance she advocated. All Palestinians – indeed all people who value freedom and justice – mourn the loss of a dear friend today.”

Israeli troops kill girl, 4
The Independent, March 17, 2003
At least five Palestinians were killed, including a girl aged four, when Israeli troops backed by dozens of armoured vehicles stormed a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip this morning.

Israeli Troops Kill Six Palestinians and Wound 15 Others in Nusairat Camp
International Press Center, March 17, 2003
GAZA STRIP, March 17, 2003, IPC+ Agencies--- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) killed early on Monday six Palestinian civilians and wounded several others in the central Gaza Strip refugee camp of Al-Nusairat. 

Israeli Army Kills an American Girl and a Palestinian Boy in Gaza Strip
International Press Center, March 17, 2003
GAZA STRIP, March 16, 2003, (IPC)--- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) killed an American peace activist woman, member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) on Sunday evening while she was trying to prevent an Israeli bulldozer from demolishing a Palestinian home in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah.

IOF Imposes Closure on the OPT, Two Palestinian Women Wounded in Hebron
International Press Center, March 17, 2003
GAZA, March 16, 2003, (IPC)- - Israeli occupation forces (IOF) imposed a full closure on the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and declared preventing all Palestinians between the ages of 15-35, from leaving the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. More than three million Palestinian citizens will be unable to leave the Palestinian territories.

Robbery Among Israeli Soldiers Between Human Instinct And Government Policy
International Press Center, March 16, 2003
During the course of the Al Aqsa Intifada, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have practiced several aggressive measures and harsh policies to punish the Palestinian people and diminish their way of life, since the occupation of the Palestinian territories, especially the West Bank cities in March, 2002.

Israel Threatens International Consensus on ‘Roadmap’ to Peace
Palestine Media Center, March 16, 2003
The Israeli government, headed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was threatening the international consensus on the US peace plan for the Middle East as Washington assured the Palestine National Authority (PNA) that the United States “is committed to the roadmap as introduced to the parties on December 20” and that the plan will be released for implementation.

Israel warns it may fight back if Iraq attacks
The Independent, March 17, 2003
Israeli leaders warned Saddam Hussein yesterday that they reserved the right to retaliate if he attacked Israel in response to any American-led invasion of Iraq.

PLO Welcomes, Bush and Blair Call for Palestinian State
International Press Center, March 15, 2003
RAMALLAH, West Bank, March 15, 03 (IPC+WAFA)- The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) welcomed Friday the US president Bush’s statement concerning setting a Palestinian state in light of implementing the original draft of “Road Map” peace plan.

NEWS UPDATE  March 17, 03:
International Press Center, March 17, 2003
11:30 Israeli occupation forces (IOF) shot dead two Palestinians and wounded four others during their invasion of the town of Beit Lahia, which began early this morning.

U.S. orders non-essential diplomats to leave Israel, Syria and Kuwait
Al-Bawaba, March 17, 2003
The United States ordered its non-essential diplomats and the families of all embassy personnel to leave Israel, Syria and Kuwait, in a move that could signal a war with Iraq is imminent.

LAW lawyer reduces 27,500 NIS fine to 3,000 NIS for Jerusalemite
LAW Society, March 16, 2003
LAW lawyer Mahmoud Jabarin reduced a fine imposed by an Israeli court in Jerusalem on Ibrahim Shweiki from Abu Tour from 27,5000 NIS (Israeli shekel) to 3,000 NIS, and one year's time to license his home.

Gas Masks a Luxury for Most Palestinians
Arab News, March 17, 2003
AL-BIREH, West Bank, 17 March 2003 — Gas masks are out of the reach of most Palestinians as a possible US-led war on Iraq approaches.

Israel to Strike Back if Hit by Iraq
Arab News, March 17, 2003
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, 17 March 2003 — Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said yesterday the threat of an Iraqi attack against the Jewish state was low, but stressed Israel had the support of American troops and would be “ready and prepared” to defend itself.

Kuwaiti Journalists Back Ban on Israelis
Arab News, March 17, 2003
KUWAIT CITY, 16 March 2003 — The Kuwait Journalists Association yesterday announced its support for measures taken by the Information Ministry banning Israeli journalists from entering Kuwait.

Jobseeker numbers jumped 2.6% in February to 194,000
Globes, March 16, 2003
Applicas for income supplements leaped 4.3% to half of all Jobseekers. The number of legal foreign workers was up 2%.

US administration for helping new Palestinian premier to perform duty
Arabic News, March 17, 2003
The US administration has asked Israel to help the appointed Palestinian prime minister Mahmoud Abbas after a decision provides for his appointment was ratified.

Israeli nuclear 'power' exposed
BBC, March 16, 2003
Israel has enforced Vanunu's silence for 16 years -- Mordechai Vanunu, Israel's nuclear whistleblower, was jailed in 1986 for publishing photographs of Israel's nuclear bomb factory at Dimona. Olenka Frenkiel reveals the extent of Israel's nuclear gagging.

Decision expected tonight on final home front preparations 
Haaretz, March 17, 2003 
The defense establishment will decide this evening whether to issue civil defense instructions to the public. America and Britain are expected to issue a statement on their next moves after their 24-hour ultimatum expires, and the army will make its decisions based on the content of this statement.

In a limbo worse than hell
Haaretz, March 17, 2003 
He supplied Israel with information. And he doesn't want to live with `the Arabs'  -- Y.J. is supposed to be on trial tomorrow at a court in the center of the country, but he won't show up. Although the prosecution (the state) promised at an earlier session that it did not intend to demand his immediate expulsion to the Gaza Strip, he doesn't believe it.

Behind the Palestinian optimism
Haaretz, March 17, 2003
"The fear is that this will be an auspicious opportunity for the right-wing Israeli government to considerably intensify its policy of punishment and the destruction of the entire fabric of life in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, already under heavy stress."

`Chained' women protest outside Chief Rabbinate
Haaretz, March 17, 2003 
Dozens of women whose husbands have refused to divorce them demonstrated opposite the Chief Rabbinate in Jerusalem yesterday and demanded the rabbinical courts exercise their legal powers to force recalcitrant husbands to grant a divorce.

Jordan calls for joint Arab force in Gulf
Middle East Online, March 17, 2003
ABU DHABI - Jordan on Monday urged Arab states to overcome their political differences and establish a joint rapid deployment force in the Gulf as part of a collective security step to reduce the number of foreign forces in the region.

Cook quits over Iraq crisis
BBC, March 17, 2003
Robin Cook has resigned from Tony Blair's cabinet as the build-up to apparent war with Iraq gathers pace.
The decision by the Leader of the House of Commons, one of the highest profile figures in the Labour Party, came as the cabinet held an emergency meeting in Downing Street.

War on Iraq does not drive Boeing out of Middle East
Al-Bawaba, March 17, 2003
US aviation major Boeing has promised to “compete for the dollars” this year in the Middle East despite an imminent war in the region. While the company anticipates a drop in commercial sales, it forecasts positive results for its defense division.

Hundreds Protest U.S. Unloading Equipment At Turkish Port
Palestine Chronicle, March 17, 2003
ISKENDERUN, Turkey - Chanting "Yankees go home!" and "The Middle East will be your grave!" hundreds of Turks took to the streets Sunday in the Mediterranean port of Iskenderun to protest against U.S. personnel unloading equipment for possible war against Iraq.

Anti-War Protests Worldwide
Palestine Chronicle, March 16, 2003
PARIS/WASHINGTON - Hundreds of thousands of protesters worldwide took to the streets yesterday to say “No” to any US-led invasion of Iraq in the biggest anti-war demonstration since millions joined a global march for peace last month.

This Present Moment: Living in Baghdad on the Eve of War
Palestine Chronicle, March 16, 2003
"The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments.”  - Thich Nhat Hanh -- I am in Baghdad with the Iraq Peace Team, and we will stay here throughout any war. We will share the risks of the millions who live here, and do our best to be a voice for them to the world. Our risks are uncertain. Thousands here will surely die. But most Iraqis will survive, and so too, I hope, will I.