Palestinians: Man killed by IDF in Rafah
Jerusalem Post, March 18, 2003   
Palestinian sources said Tuesday that a 20-year-old man was killed by IDF fire near the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Itim identified the man as Ibrahim Barhoum and said that he had been hit by IDF fire while standing at the entrance to his home.

Three Palestinian Civilians Killed by IOF in Bethlehem and Gaza
International Press Center, March 18, 2003
BETHLEHEM, West Bank, March 18, 03, IPC+WAFA--Israeli occupation forces (IOF) Killed one Palestinian citizen early Tuesday  in the village of “Marah”, south east of Bethlehem, Palestinian security sources said.

Israeli wall to encircle Palestine
The Guardian, March 18, 2003
Sharon accused of turning territories into huge prison -- Ariel Sharon has told his cabinet that he plans to extend the "security fence" Israel is building along the length of the West Bank so that it entirely encircles any Palestinian state.

Israel planning 2nd security fence in West Bank — report
Jordan Times, March 18, 2003   
TEL AVIV (AFP) — Israel plans to build a new security fence cutting off the Jordan Valley from the rest of the West Bank, the Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot said Monday, calling the plan a “bombshell.”

International community warned of ethnic cleansing
Palestine Monitor, March 16, 2003
The International Women’s Peace Service (IWPS), based in the Salfit governorate of the West Bank, warns the international community of possible ethnic cleansing in the Salfit and Qalqilya area during the forthcoming war against Iraq.

Arafat signs Palestinian PM bill
BBC, March 18, 2003
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has signed a bill creating the position of prime minister - hours after it was passed by the Palestinian parliament. Earlier on Tuesday, the parliament rebuffed Mr Arafat's demands to dilute the authority of the new post, in particular to retain the power in appointing cabinet ministers.

Anan Criticizes IOF Raids on Palestinian Territories
International Press Center, March 18, 2003
Bashful American Response to Murder of American Peace Activist -- New York + Washington, March 18, 2003, IPC + Agencies-- Secretary General of the UN Kofi Anan accused the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) today of failing to provide security to the civilians during its invasions of Gaza Strip, While the American administration waited until an investigation is held about the incident that led to the killing of the American peace activist in Rafah by an Israeli army bulldozer.

Israel Removes 'Independent' State In 'Road Map'
Islam Online, March 18, 2003
Bush’s vision about two-state solution faces stiff Israeli resistence -- TEL AVIV, March 16 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – In a move ridding the so-called ‘road map’ of any meaning or essence, Israel removed all mention of “independent Palestinian state” from the quartet peace plan, which U.S. President George W. Bush vowed to implement few days ago.

Peace Activists Reiterate Solidarity with the Palestinian People Despite Rachel’s Death
International Press Center, March 18, 2003
RAFAH, Gaza Strip, March 18, 2003, (IPC) -- Josef Smith, a member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), stressed yesterday that the ISM would keep on expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people despite the killing of their friend Rachel Corrie by the Israeli occupation forces in the Southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah.

Finance Ministry: US will approve loan guarantees on Iraq war outbreak
Globes, March 18, 2003
The Ministry of Finance believes the US will approve the loan guarantees to Israel with the outbreak of war in Iraq. The working assumption underpinning the economic plan submitted yesterday is that Israel will receive the full $8 billion in requested loan guarantees, while the requested defense grant will be halved to $1-2 billion.

How Iran planned the Buenos Aires blast 
Haaretz, March 18, 2003
Israeli intelligence has uncovered most of the details of Iran's involvement in the July 1994 bombing of the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that left some 100 people dead and 250 wounded.

IDF reverses policy on gas masks for Palestinian kids
Haaretz, March 18, 2003
The IDF's Home Front Command has decided that it will, after all, distribute children's gas masks to the offspring of Israeli Arabs who have one Palestinian parent.

Hamas says it won't target Americans
Jerusalem Post, March 18, 2003   
With US forces poised for battle in Iraq, a leader of the Islamic militant group Hamas said Tuesday the group would not target Americans.

Water Expert Says Arab Resources Are Being Targeted
Islam Online, March 18, 2003
KYOTO, March 18 (IslamOnline.net) – As the world holds its breath, in anticipation of a war on Iraq, speakers at the Third World Water Forum, held currently in Japan, discussed the water crisis in the Arab world, urging more cooperation between Arab countries in research and development.

British Airways suspends flights to Israel
The Guardian, March 18, 2003
British Airways today announced that all its flights to Israel's capital, Tel Aviv, will be cancelled from Thursday, and will remain suspended until further notice.

Hamas members shot dead
BBC, March 18, 2003
The Israeli army has been sweeping the West Bank in search for militants -- The Israeli army says it killed two senior members of the militant group Hamas in two separate raids in the West Bank. The army said in a statement that the two Hamas militants - identified as Nasser Assideh and Ali Alan - were linked to suicide bombings and other attacks in Israel.

2 senior Hamas men killed; reservist shot dead near Bethlehem
Haaretz, March 18, 2003
IDF troops on Tuesday killed senior Hamas member Ali Alan in a West Bank village south of Bethlehem, in a pre-dawn gunbattle in which Sergeant Major (res.) Ami Cohen was killed and another soldier was lightly wounded.

Hear Palestine, March 18, 2003
Hear Palestine
NEWS: Qalqilya: Israeli Army Assassinates Activist / Bethlehem: Resident Killed; 3 Homes and Factory Demolished / Al-Nusseirat: Youth Died of Injuries Subjected Yesterday / Khan Younis: Youth Shot Dead at Dawn; Child Critically Wounded / Deir al-Balah: Israeli Army Bulldozes Agricultural Land / Tulkarem: Israeli Army Invades Atil; Khirbat Jbara Isolated / Nablus: Raids and Arrests in Villages and Refugee Camp; 1 Wounded / Hebron: Wide-Scale Israeli Military Invasion  FEATURES: Rafah: . When Martyrs are rapped with the American Flag / 80 Killed and 521 Wounded Since Beginning of March / Soldiers Steel 41,000 Shekels from Tradesman in Ramallah / Israel Intends to Establish New Fence East of West Bank

ISM Update: Condolences for Rachel Corrie (New Address)
International Solidarity Movement, March 18, 2003
The Corries' inbox is now full of condolence messages concerning Rachel and new messages are not being received. They have created a new account to receive messages of condolence.

Iowa kin mourn peace activist
Des Moines Register, March 18, 2003
Drake University graduates Craig and Cynthia Corrie were alarmed when they learned their daughter Rachel had decided to travel to the Middle East.

Association for human rights condemns killing of Rachel Corey
Palestine Monitor, March 18, 2003
PNGO and Other updates -- The Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA) deplores and condemns the killing of Rachel Corey in Rafah by the Israeli Army on Sunday 16th March 2002.

Israeli army deliberately killed US human shield — eyewitnesses
Jordan Times, March 18, 2003    
RAFAH, Gaza Strip (Agencies) — Rafah's small bunch of international peace activists were 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.

US Demands Probe into Death of Activist Crushed by IOF Bulldozer
Palestine Media Center, March 18, 2003
Witnesses Insist Young Woman was Killed Deliberately -- March. 18, 2003 - The United States has expressed its deepest regret over the death of a 23-year-old American peace activist, who was crushed to death by a US-made Israeli army bulldozer while trying to prevent it from demolishing a Palestinian house in the Gaza Strip.

Sharon Plans to Sandwich Future Palestinian State With Wall
Palestine Media Center, March 18, 2003
IOF Killed 14 Palestinians Since Monday -- March. 18, 2003 - In a move condemned strongly by the Palestinians, Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon told his cabinet Sunday that he plans to extend the so-called “security fence” Israel is building along the length of the West Bank so that it entirely encircles any futuristic Palestinian state.

Occupation Chronicle Events in Palestine, March 18, 2003
Palestine Media Center, March 18, 2003
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed a Palestinian citizen after raiding his house near the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem. Meanwhile, the number of Palestinians killed by IOF gunfire in the Gaza Strip reached 13 in the past twenty-four hours.

Palestinians caged in beach paradise
Palestine Monitor, March 18, 2003
The waves break all along the clean sandy beach and palm trees sway in the Mediterranean breeze. It could be a holiday resort, but to the residents of Al Mawasi this fertile paradise is little more than a prison.

Detention without charge
Palestine Monitor, March 15, 2003
Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the health of Anan Nabih Labadeh, who was arrested with his brother, Dr ‘Abd al-Fatah Labadeh, by the Israeli army on 11 March 2003. Anan Nabih Labadeh is paralysed from the waist down and suffers from gastritis, bladder and skin problems, and is in constant need of medical care.

Israeli intelligence: Iran involved in 1994 bombing of Jewish community center in Buenos Aires
Al-Bawaba, March 18, 2003
Israeli intelligence has uncovered most of the details of Iran's involvement in the July 1994 bombing of the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that left some 100 people dead and 250 wounded, Haaretz daily reported on Tuesday.

Palestinian Parliament Approves PM Bill
Islam Online, March 18, 2003
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, March 18 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The Israeli occupation forces killed Tuesday, March 18, a Palestinian activist in southern Bethlehem in the West Bank, as the Palestinian Parliament passed a bill creating a new Prime Minister's post after reaching a compromise with President Yasser Arafat over changes he had introduced.

Palestinians Approve Prime Minister Bill
The Guardian, March 18, 2003
JERUSALEM (AP) - The Palestinian parliament created the post of prime minister Tuesday, taking a major step toward U.S.-sought reforms and rebuffing Yasser Arafat's attempts to retain a say in forming the next Cabinet.

Powell Applauds New Palestinian Premier
The Guardian, March 18, 2003
WASHINGTON (AP) - Yasser Arafat remains in control of Palestinian security, but the creation of the post of prime minister is a positive move, Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday.

Full powers for Palestinian prime minister
UPI, March 18, 2003
GAZA, March 18 (UPI) -- The Palestine Liberation Council, meeting in the West Bank town of Ramallah, Tuesday approved an amended law that will give the newly created office of prime minister full administrative and executive powers.

Air Force raises level of alert ahead of Iraq war; jets on 24-hour patrol
Haaretz, March 18, 2003
IDF tells public, hospitals to seal rooms, but says no need yet to open gas mask kits.

'Public sector cuts, privatization and reduced income tax' 
Haaretz, March 18, 2003
The economic program outlined by Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday is based on two major precepts - cutting down the public sector on the one hand, and enlarging the private sector on the other.

Hizbullah fires anti-aircraft shells over Israel border
Jerusalem Post, March 19, 2003
Hizbullah fired several anti-aircraft shells over the Western edge of the Israel-Lebanon border Tuesday night.

Two Israeli youths arrested after mock execution of Sharon
Jerusalem Post, March 18, 2003 
Two teenagers have been arrested following a Purim festival in memory of Hebron mosque killer Baruch Goldstein in Kiryat Arba on Monday night during which a mock death sentence was carried out on a figure representing Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Palestinian Enterprise Revitalization to provide PLAZA tenants with business support
MENA Report, March 18, 2003
The Arab Palestinian Shopping Centers Company, which will be opening the PLAZA shopping center, and the Palestinian Enterprise Revitalization Project (ENASH) signed a cooperation agreement that will enable qualified PLAZA rental applicants to receive a wide range of highly subsidized business consulting services.

Court blocks HP Israel ID card contract
Globes, March 18, 2003
11 companies participated in the tender. The tenders committee disqualified ten bids, leaving HP Israel as the sole participant. --
Jerusalem District Court Judge Moussia Arad today ordered the state and Hewlett-Packard (HP) Israel not to change the current situation with regard to the company’s winning a Ministry of the Interior tender to issue identity cards.

IMF: Give Bank of Israel full independence
Globes, March 18, 2003
The IMF believes the Bank of Israel should have full independence to manage policy tools, and the exchange rate fluctuation band should be abolished. The goals should be achieved through a new Bank of Israel law that would protect the governor of the Bank of Israel from being fired and stipulate that price stability as the sole objective of monetary policy.

US-Egyptian rights activist acquitted
Middle East Online, March 18, 2003
Egypt's cassation court dismisses case against Saad Eddin Ibrahim, three co-defendants, US hails verdict. -- A court here Tuesday acquitted US-Egyptian rights activist Saad Eddin Ibrahim of charges of tarnishing Egypt's image abroad, a decision swiftly hailed by the United States.

Emir of Qatar pardons Jordanian journalist sentenced to death
Al-Bawaba, March 18, 2003
The emir of Qatar on Tuesday pardoned a Jordanian journalist who had been convicted of spying and sentenced to death.

Qatar's ruler, King of Jordan discuss reconciliation, current developments
Arabic News, March 18, 2003
A round of talks was held yesterday at al-Wajba palace in Doha between the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani and the King of Jordan Abdullah II during which the two leaders reviewed cooperation relations between the two states and means of strengthening them.

US, Canadian Oil Workers Gunned Down in Yemen
Arab News, March 18, 2003
SANAA, 19 March 2003 — A Yemeni man shot and killed an American, a Canadian and a Yemeni working on a rig run by a US oil firm east of Sanaa yesterday, and then killed himself, a Yemeni official and the company said.

Blair Wins Legislative Votes on Iraq
The Guardian, March 18, 2003
LONDON (AP) - Britain's House of Commons backed Prime Minister Tony Blair's policy on Iraq on Tuesday, voting in favor of using ``all means necessary'' to disarm Saddam Hussein.

US to use depleted uranium
BBC, March 18, 2003
A United States defence official has said moves to ban depleted uranium ammunition are just an attempt by America's enemies to blunt its military might. Colonel James Naughton of US Army Materiel Command said Iraqi complaints about depleted uranium (DU) shells had no medical basis.

Iran-backed rebels eye new Iraq role
BBC, March 18, 2003
Hundreds of guerrillas from an Iranian-backed Iraqi Islamic opposition faction have staged a military parade in northern Iraq, in an area controlled by the Iraqi Kurds, close to the border with Iran.

`I wrote resignation letter' - Short
Express.co, March 18, 2003
The International Development Secretary revealed she was "all set to go" and carry out her threat of resignation in protest at war without a second resolution when she decided it was "cowardly" to walk out of her job.

Persian Gulf: Iraqi Christians fear post-Saddam Islamists
Come and See, March 18, 2003
"There has been no persecution against Christians in Iraq until now. But there is fear among Christians now that if this secular and religiously tolerant regime goes, the fanatics and extremists will pop up," one Western envoy said. Iraqi Christians had felt protected during 35 years of rule by the pan-Arab nationalist Baath Party, which was founded by Michel Aflaq, a Christian from Syria.

Relations Among U.S. Religions at a Low
Newsday, March 18, 2003
Some Christians say Islam promotes violence. Jews feel they are being scapegoated by opponents of a U.S. war on Iraq. A Muslim leader wonders if there's a divine message in the breakup of the shuttle carrying an Israeli astronaut.

Iraqis Sue Elder Bush Over Gulf War Crimes
Islam Online, March 18, 2003
Iraqis fear the old crimes perpetrated by Bush, Cheney, Powell and Schwarzkopf would be repeated again -- BRUSSELS, March 18 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - With a new U.S.-led aggression hanging over their heads, seven Iraqi families filed a lawsuit in Belgium Tuesday, March 18, against former U.S. president George Bush and three other U.S. leaders for crimes perpetrated during the 1991 first Gulf War.

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Bitterness in Paris after UN diplomacy collapses
The Guardian, March 18, 2003
French officials are privately resentful that France has been made a scapegoat for Britain and the USA's failure to win a second UN resolution, reports Jon Henley from Paris.