Bombarding 7 houses, Israel renews rejection to right of return home to Palestinian refugees
Arabic News, May 10, 2003
Palestinians Saeed al-Qreinawi and his wife were wounded yesterday during the Israeli forces incursion in Deir al-Balah where Israeli forces destroyed seven houses and leveled agricultural lands, while the Israeli occupation forces arrested several Palestinians in Bethlehem, Jenin and Nablus and the Palestinian resistance fired shells at Israeli military bases and positions near Gaza and Neve Dekalim settlement.

Rights Groups Criticize Israel Over Mistreatment of Internationals
Palestine Media Center, May 10, 2003
IOF Impose New Restrictions on Foreigners’ Entry to Gaza  -- May 10, 2003 - International human rights groups on Friday condemned Israel’s crackdown on foreign activists in the occupied Palestinian territory as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested two foreign nationals in a raid on the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) in the West Bank and imposed new restrictions for entry into the Gaza Strip.

Breaking News: Curfew Imposed on Heart of Hebron
International Press Center, May 10, 2003
17:00--  Israeli occupation forces imposed a tight curfew on the old town, in the heart of Hebron City, after deploying a large number of soldiers and placing military checkpoints.

Israeli occupation forces arrest activists in Yamon
Palestinian Information Center, May 10, 2003
Jenin – Israeli occupation forces entered the village of Yamon in the early hours of Friday morning and arrested a number of Palestinian activists after imposing a curfew on the village.

ISM activist arrested Friday in Beit Sahour to be deported
Haaretz, May 10, 2003
The Interior Ministry decided Saturday to deport an American peace activist from the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) after being arrested, along with an Australian peace activist, in the ISM offices in Beit Sahour on Friday. Palestinian sources added that a Palestinian employee was detained for questioning.

Update on Detention of Two British Activists at Erez Border Crossing
The Electronic Intifada/International Solidarity Movement, May 9, 2003
It has been twenty eight hours since, at 8:30 PM on Thursday evening, May 8, 2003, two British internationals were detained at Erez border crossing at the entrance to the Gaza Strip. The Internationals are Nick and Alice. Both have been held at the crossing with no arrest and no charges. The police have actually refused to arrest them. There is no reason to arrest them. There are no charges pending.

Powell in Israel, will hear steps to ease restrictions on PA
Haaretz, May 10, 2003
United States Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived in Israel at around 6:30 P.M. Saturday evening at the start of a trip to promote the U.S.-backed road map for regional peace. As the first stage of his visit, Powell will meet Saturday night with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, and is expected to receive a list of measures Israel will undertake to ease restrictions on the Palestinians, a move Powell wants in order to aid the newly-appointed Palestinian prime minister in taking office.

Shaath Skeptical of Powell Mission
Arab News, May 10, 2003
PARIS, 10 May 2003 — Little will come of US Secretary of State Colin Powell’s trip to the Middle East this weekend because of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s resistance to peace efforts, a Palestinian minister said yesterday.

Human Rights Watch to Appeal Deportation of Researcher
International Press Center, May 10, 2003
New York, May 10, 2003, IPC – Human Rights Watch issued yesterday a press statement criticizing the arrest of a researcher of the organization and its order to deport the researcher outside the country.

IDF destroys home of militant involved in Qassam attacks
Haaretz, May 10, 2003
Israel Defense Forces troops operating in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun early Saturday destroyed the home of a Hamas militant Hussan Zuweidi, who was involved in launching Qassam rockets at Israel. The troops made certain that the house was empty before destroying it, Israel Radio reported.

Parents call on Britain to challenge Israelis over shooting of son
Palestinian Information Center, May 10, 2003
The parents of a young British peace activist shot in the head by Israeli troops called last night for the British government to challenge the Israeli government over their son’s plight.

U.S.: States joining free trade zone must end Israel boycott
Haaretz, May 10, 2003o
COLUMBIA, South Carolina - President George W. Bush linked Middle East peacemaking with the need for economic advancement, offering to extend U.S. free-trade benefits already enjoyed by Israel and Jordan to other nations in the region within a decade.

Palestinians charge Red Cross of negligence
Palestinian Information Center, May 10, 2003
Bethlehem - The Palestinian prisoner’s club has urged the international Red Cross to shoulder and reactivate its responsibility towards the Palestinian detainees in Zionist occupation jails.

Settlers vow to resist any move to expel them
The Guardian, May 10, 2003
Illegal settlements will test Israel's commitment to the peace plan -- The illegal outpost of Migron is a trailer park on a hill in the West Bank surrounded by barbed wire fences and guarded by chained alsatians positioned at 20-metre intervals. It provides a home, with views of Ramallah, Jerusalem and a part of Jordan, to about 40 families.

Israel to Restrict Entry of Foreign Nationals into Palestinian Territories
International Press Center, May 10, 2003
Palestine, May 10, 2003, IPC + Al-Bawaba-- Britain on Friday condemned the Israeli decision to demand that all foreign nationals entering the Gaza Strip sign a waiver exempting Israel from any responsibility should they be killed or injured, a waiver that has hitherto been restricted to Israelis.

Australian woman arrested in West Bank
NineMSN, May 10, 2003
Australian diplomats have sought urgent access to a woman arrested by the Israeli army in a West Bank town for trespassing on a military post. The woman, believed to be an Australian human rights monitor, and a pro-Palestinian activist from Chicago were arrested on Friday and are to be deported.

Israel Tightens Rules on Foreigners
The Guardian, May 10, 2003
JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel is demanding new restrictions on foreigners entering the Gaza strip - a move that could hinder the work of journalists, aid workers and those trying to monitor the fighting between Israelis and Palestinians. An Australian human rights monitor and a pro-Palestinian activist from Chicago were arrested Friday on charges they were in a West Bank town without permission. The two were ordered deported.

Gaza travel curbs condemned
BBC, May 10, 2003
The human rights group Amnesty International has criticised Israel over new measures affecting foreigners wanting to enter the Palestinian territories. The Israeli authorities now require outsiders to sign waivers that absolve Israel from responsibility should they be killed or injured in the territories.

Int’l Body Demands Trial of IOF Soldiers Responsible For Briton’s Death
Palestine Media Center, May 10, 2003
Following the an autopsy indicting Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) for the killing of British cameraman James Miller on 02 May, an international media watchdog called for the punishment of those responsible for his slaying. The autopsy of the British freelance cameraman revealed that IOF soldiers had shot Miller from the front as he was filming the demolition of Palestinians’ houses in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian human rights group accuses Israel for escalation of military aggression
Xinhuanet, May 10, 2003
GAZA, May 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian Human Rights Center in a report released Saturday accused Israeli army of escalating its military aggression against Palestine. In its weekly report, the center said Israeli army perpetrates deliberate killings, shelling of crowded neighborhoods, demolishing houses, razing agricultural lands, large-scale arrest campaigns as well as raiding Palestinian cities, villages and refugee camps.

Road Map Status Report: Phase I - Acrobat format
Palestine Media Center, May 10, 2003
FACT SHEET: The Road Map is a document intended to provide a framework to end Israel’s military occupation of Palestinian Territory and establish a viable, independent Palestinian state. The Road Map, which is divided into three phases, sets out obligations for both Israel and the Palestinians. Obligations within each phase are to be carried out in parallel (unless expressly specified otherwise).

Sha’ath Affirms Palestinian Commitment to the Road Map, Asks France’s Political Pressure
International Press Center, May 10, 2003
PARIS, France, May 10, 2003, IPC -- Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Nabil Sha’ath, said Friday the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has accepted the “Road Map” peace plan for the interest of peace despite a lot of reservations.

Occupation Chronicle Events in Palestine May 10, 2003
Palestine Media Center, May 10, 2003
Israeli occupation Forces (IOF) killed a Palestinian man near the northern West Bank city of Nablus. IOF also detained two foreigners after raiding the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) offices in Beit Sahour and demolished nine Palestinians’ houses in the Gaza Strip.

A Leader's Conflicting Impulses
Washington Post, May 10, 2003
Palestinian Is Known For Strong Views, but Shuns Confrontation -- JERUSALEM, May 9 -- At a closed-door meeting of political activists in the Gaza Strip last fall, during a period of repeated Palestinian suicide bombings and attacks against Israelis, Mahmoud Abbas, then the number two official in the Palestine Liberation Organization, voiced unusual criticism of the militant groups carrying out the attacks.

Roadblocks on the road map to Middle East peace
Christian Science Monitor, May 8, 2003
JERUSALEM – After months of inaction, US determination to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict seems renewed. US envoy William Burns met Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas Monday in advance of a visit here next week by Secretary of State Colin Powell. Mr. Burns met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Sunday. The visits are part of a renewed push to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the road map.

Syria rejects Sharon terms to resume peace talks
Al-Bawaba, May 10, 2003
Syria denounced Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's insistence that peace talks can only resume with no preconditions, saying Friday that Sharon wanted to erase what was achieved in previous talks. Damascus has long said that if talks with Israel resume, they must pick up where they left off in 2000.

Powell arrives to face uphill struggle on road map
The Guardian, May 10, 2003
The US secretary of state, Colin Powell, arrives in Israel today to face Palestinian demands that he pressure Ariel Sharon to stop obstructing the launch of the "road map" to Middle East peace, and Israeli calls for fundamental changes to the plan.

Playing for time
Al-Ahram Weekly On-line, 8 - 14 May 2003
The roadmap resembles the Oslo accords as a staged process and without outside intervention it will suffer the same fate, writes Graham Usher from Jerusalem -- One week after being published the "roadmap towards peace" is starting to make itself felt within the contortions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, at least on the level of diplomacy.

Lecturers reject call to boycott Israel
The Guardian, May 10, 2003
Union votes for maintaining links to support progressive academics -- The largest university lecturers' union last night voted by a majority of about 2-1 to reject a call for an academic boycott of Israel, saying such a ban would harm progressive Israeli academics campaigning against the Sharon government.

UN Program to Address Shelter Problem in Occupied Territory
Palestine Media Center, May 10, 2003
Israel to Demolish 120 Christian Homes in Jerusalem Area -- The United Nations agency that deals with problems of housing and human settlement amid rapid urbanization has recently decided to establish a special Human Settlements Programme in the occupied Palestinian territory.

PM to meet Greek FM after Papandreou holds talks with Arafat
Haaretz, May 10, 2003
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon plans to meet this week with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou despite the fact that Papandreou will hold talks with Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.

Palestine an open wound on face of earth
Gulf News, May 10, 2003
Palestine is an open wound on the face of the earth where innocent people, mainly women and children, are being victimised by occupying Israeli troops, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said in its 2001-02 report. The report, released by the MSF office in Abu Dhabi, also stated that daily life for many Palestinians has become intolerable.

The Palestinian Chronicles: Trapped by War
Doctors Without Borders, September, 2002
In September 2002, MSF released the "Palestinian Chronicles: Trapped by War," a collection of articles and diary entries documenting the plight of Palestinian civilians trapped by conflict in Hebron and the Gaza Strip, and whose suffering is generally unknown. Written by MSF doctors and psychologists, the Palestinian Chronicles chart the psychological consequences of living under the continual threat of violence. The following excerpts are taken from the sections "Put to the test" by Dr. Jean-Hervι Bradol, President, MSF-France and "Palestinian interior."

The Palestinian Chronicles: Trapped by War - Acrobat format
Doctors Without Borders, September, 2002
Full report document.

Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories 01- 07 May 2003
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
Israeli forces continue their flagrant disregard for the lives of Palestinian Civilians / 19 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 5 children, were killed by Israeli forces / 13 of the victims, including 3 brothers and a toddler, were killed during an Israeli incursion into al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza / One of the victims was run down by Israeli forces in Tulkarm / A British journalist was killed by Israeli forces in Rafah / More...

Letter from canon's son brought tears to Arafat's eyes
icWales, May 10, 2003
"So I have one son who thinks he's Jewish and one who is into Yasser Arafat." -- CANON White's sons Josiah and Jacob illustrate their father's love and respect for both sides of the Middle East conflict. "It was Jacob who helped me to love and respect Yasser Arafat when he suddenly started adding his name to the people we mentioned in our everyday prayers."

Documentary on Palestine is a must-see
The Daily Star, May 10, 2003
Jeremy Hardy vs. The Israeli Army shows Sunday at Beirut Theater
"...Jeremy Hardy vs. The Israeli Army [is] a powerful new documentary by Leila Sansour about international activists agitating on behalf of Palestinians in the West Bank last year, showing this Sunday as part of Palestine in the New Cinema, a film festival at the Beirut Theater. -- Jeremy Hardy is a British comic with a face like a jack-in-the-box.

Tourists trickle back to Jericho
Christian Science Monitor, May 9, 2003
Easing of tensions in one West Bank city may be a model for incrementally restoring Middle East peace. -- JERICHO, WEST BANK – Most Jericho residents, ringed by Israeli army checkpoints and adversely affected by fighting in the rest of the West Bank, have had little or no work for two years. But now there is a possible sign of hope: Tourists are once again being lured to the Mount of Temptation.

photos
Continued Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, May 9, 2003
13 Palestinians killed and dozens wounded in Shojeya neighborhood in Gaza city on 01 May 2003

Other Middle East News

Seven Nuclear Sites Looted
Washington Post, May 10, 2003
Iraqi Scientific Files, Some Containers Missing -- BAGHDAD -- Seven nuclear facilities in Iraq have been damaged or effectively destroyed by the looting that began in the first days of April, when U.S. ground forces thrust into Baghdad, according to U.S. investigators and others with detailed knowledge of their work. The Bush administration fears that technical documents, sensitive equipment and possibly radiation sources have been scattered.

Blueprint gives coalition control of oil
The Guardian, May 10, 2003
US and Britain see advisory role for UN in draft resolution -- America and Britain yesterday laid out their blueprint for postwar Iraq in a draft resolution to the United Nations security council, naming themselves as "occupying powers" and giving them control of the country's oil revenues.

U.S. Wants ‘Free Hand’ In Iraq: Press Reports
Islam Online, May 10, 2003
LONDON, May 10 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - As the United States and Britain seek the approval of the United Nations for lifting sanctions against Iraq, many suspiciously considered the move an attempt to have a free hand in the oil-rich country without an international oversight.

France, Russia Question U.S. Postwar Plan
The Guardian, May 10, 2003
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - With the U.N. Security Council looking to avoid the bitter divisions that broke out before the war, France and Russia toned down objections to a new U.S. plan for ruling postwar Iraq, but appeared intent to seek changes to give the United Nations a stronger role.

Iraq's medical emergency
BBC, May 10, 2003
There is enough painkiller in the hospital to give just four more injections. There is no fluid to sterilise equipment. Too few staff to look after patients. -- There's a man standing still among the chaos of the accident and emergency department. He is naked. His back turned towards me. His face looking down at the floor, though I doubt he can see anything.

U.S. Troops Surround Iranian Opposition Group in Iraq
Washington Post, May 10, 2003
CAMP ASHRAF, Iraq, May 9 -- The U.S. Army today surrounded camps of an Iranian opposition group in eastern Iraq, pointing tanks at its sentinels and demanding it lay down arms. Surrender negotiations between U.S. officials and the Mujaheddin-e Khalq continued past nightfall with no apparent resolution, though the Americans appeared confident of an agreement.

Gun rule in Basra
Al-Ahram Weekly On-line, 8 - 14 May 2003
Weeks after the battle for Basra ended, the city remains paralysed by lack of security -- Shops are slowly starting to reopen in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, children have returned to near-empty schools, but the city remains an unsafe place at night. "It really hurts to see the lack of security," says a former Iraqi police officer, who wished to remain anonymous, outside a shop selling arms in Basra. "I don't see the British doing anything about it."

In the wreckage of Saddam's nuclear research centre, villagers take their pick of lethal spoils
The Independent, May 10, 2003
The labels were clearly visible when the caretaker of the al-Wrdiya village school pulled from a storeroom at the back of the building two looted plastic drums and a translucent off-white crate.

Iraqi cleric calls for 'independence'
BBC, May 10, 2003
The leader of Iraq's best-known Shia opposition group has told thousands of supporters that Iraqis would not accept a government imposed by foreigners. Ayatollah Mohammed Baqr al-Hakim was addressing a crowd in the southern city of Basra, after returning from exile in Iran on Saturday.

The allies' broken promises
The Independent, May 10, 2003
Oil: Tony Blair: 'We don't touch it, and the US doesn't touch it' MTV, 7 March The reality: Yesterday's draft UN resolution gives total control of Iraq's oil revenues to the US and UK until an Iraqi government is established / The UN: George Bush: 'The UN will have a vital role to play' Belfast, 8 April / The reality: The UN is reduced to an advisory function on the ground in Iraq. All operational decisions will be taken by UK and US officials...

Campaign Baghdad
Washington Post, May 10, 2003
Back From Exile, Ahmed Chalabi Is Taking Iraqi Politics for a Spin --A sandy-haired, deeply tanned political strategist from Washington aims the antenna of his satellite phone skyward, hoping to fix on a clear signal somewhere beyond the Saddam Great Mosque, which soars behind him with all the gargantuan subtlety of a Las Vegas theme hotel. He's calling an important contact at the National Security Council. "We just brought a head of Saddam in here," Francis Brooke, the guy on the phone, reports gleefully to his buddy in the White House. "We're kicking it around the courtyard right now. Call me back!"

Council Is Willing to Negotiate on Iraq
Washington Post, May 10, 2003
Key Members Back U.S. on Lifting Sanctions But Seek Broader Role for U.N. -- UNITED NATIONS, May 9 -- France, Germany and other key United Nations Security Council members who opposed the U.S.-led war against Iraq said today that they would strive to reach agreement on a U.S.-sponsored resolution that would lift sanctions on Iraq and tap into its oil revenue to rebuild the battered country.

Troops die rescuing injured child
The Guardian, May 10, 2003
A Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the Tigris river in northern Iraq yesterday, killing three US soldiers on board, the Pentagon confirmed. A fourth was injured.

Iraq Shiite Leader Calls for Islamic Rule
The Guardian, May 10, 2003
BASRA, Iraq (AP) - The leader of the largest Iraqi Shiite Muslim group opposed to Saddam Hussein returned to his homeland on Saturday after two decades in exile and called for Iraq to become an Islamic state.

Top Iraqi Opposition Leader Returns Home
The Guardian, May 10, 2003
BASRA, Iraq (AP) - The leader of the largest Iraqi Shiite Muslim group opposed to Saddam Hussein returned to his homeland on Saturday after two decades in exile and called for Iraq to become an Islamic state.

Rumsfeld: US forces may stay years in Iraq; Mass grave found in southern Iraq
Al-Bawaba, May 9, 2003
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld appealed for realistic expectations on Friday in the U.S.-led efforts to rebuild Iraq, while his top war commander said basic services such as water and electricity were not yet at an acceptable level.

Pentagon's hawks woo Iranian exiles
Financial Times, May 9, 2003
Donald Rumsfeld has said he does not do diplomacy. But some of his fellow neo-conservatives in the Pentagon, emboldened by victory in Iraq, are attempting to construct an improbable alignment of interests to effect regime change in neighbouring Iran.

Iraqi, US officials hold talks on new govt
Dawn, May 10, 2003
BAGHDAD, May 8: The core group of Iraqi political factions tapped by the United States to oversee the birth of a democratic government after the fall of President Saddam Hussein agreed on Thursday to add two new members to its ranks.

U.S. Soldiers Boast ‘Liberation’ Of Iraq
Islam Online, May 10, 2003
U.S. soldiers are brainwashed into joining “Liberation War” -- BAGHDAD, May 10 (IslamOnline.net) - A one-month journey took me from homeland Somalia to Iraq for post-war coverage. But it was rather as hard as informative fact-finding mission. Down the long road to Baghdad across the Jordanian borders, obstacles were thrown out as many as unexpected; from being stopped at more than 10 checkpoints to being detained for several hours, for no reason but carrying a Somali passport.

Jihad Depends On Leadership: Iraqi Shiite Leader
Islam Online, May 10, 2003
NAJAF, May 10 (IslamOnline.net) - Weeks into the end of the U.S.-led invasion and the ouster of Saddam Hussein, Iraqi Shiite clerics are still divided on how best to drive occupation forces out of the country.

U.S. Credibility Eroding Among Iraqis: Report
Islam Online, May 10, 2003
BAGHDAD, May 10 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Although the U.S. forces have declared themselves the "absolute authority within Iraq," their failure to maintain security, restore public services or ease the tough living conditions in post-Saddam Iraq, sent anti-American sentiments sky-high.

’Terrorism Is Alien to Islam’
Arab News, May 10, 2003
JEDDAH, 10 May 2003 — The Shariah considers terrorism one of the most heinous crimes, says Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki, secretary-general of the Makkah-based Muslim World League. “Islam has nothing to do with terrorism and the two do not meet at any point,” he said.

Iran hardliners reject reform bill
BBC, May 9, 2003
Iran's conservative-controlled Guardian Council has rejected a key reform bill aimed at giving President Mohammad Khatami greater authority over his cleric rivals. The proposed legislation - approved by the Iranian parliament last month - would have allowed Mr Khatami to challenge rulings by the country's conservative judiciary.

Report on the state of the press in the Arab states
Arabic News, May 10, 2003
The recent annual report of the Reporters Without Borders has depicted conditions of the press and the media in 139 countries during 2002....As for the Arab states, Several states use every means to control the media and stifle any dissenting voice. No Arab state is among the top 50. Lebanon ranked best among with a rating of 56 followed by Bahrain with number 67.

In welcome but belated move, US army orders enquiry into shooting on ITN crew
Reporters Without Borders, May 2, 2003
 05.2.2003 - Reporters Without Borders welcomes the opening of an enquiry into the death of ITN reporter Terry Lloyd and the disappearance of ITN cameraman Fred Nerac and interpreter Hussein Osman (see photo) in southern Iraq.

US frees 13, but detains another 30
The Guardian, May 10, 2003
The US announced yesterday that it had freed 13 detainees from its prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. However a Pentagon spokeswoman said that 30 more detainees had been flown into the camp from Afghanistan, bringing the current total of inmates to 680.

Secret Service Questions Students
KRON News, May 7, 2003
OAKLAND (KRON) -- Some teachers in Oakland are rallying behind two students who were interrogated by the Secret Service. That followed remarks the teenagers made about the President during a class discussion. The incident has many people angry.