Palestinian
mother of eight killed by Zionist forces
Palestinian Information Center, May 21, 2003
Ramallah - Two Palestinians from the village of Bani Zayed (north of Ramallah)
were killed a few hours ago. One of those killed was a mother of eight girls.
She was killed while at her home. Palestinian medical sources announced the names
of the martyrs, they are Ramez Aaid Khalil Arrar (18) a student, and Rasmia Hamdallah
Arrar (35) a mother of eight children.
Breaking
News: IOF Shoots Dead Palestinian Student and Elderly Woman, Crushes Another Civilian
To Death With Tank
International Press Center, May 21, 2003
16:15-- Israel occupation Forces (IOF) shot dead a 65-year-old woman, her name
unknown yet, and a 17-year-old boy, Ramiz Arar, 18, and wounded five others in
the village of Qarawet Zaid, near Ramallah, Palestinian sources told IPC. 15:50—
Bilal Qa’dan, 18, a Palestinian civilian killed and another critically injured
in Tulkarim by an Israeli tank that ran over the vehicle they were traveling in,
(IPC).
Israel
Reoccupies Beit Hanoun, Abbas Cancels Tour
Islam Online, May 21, 2003
BEIT HANOUN, Gaza Strip, May 21 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - The Israeli
army reoccupied Beit Hanoun on Wednesday, May 21, forcing Palestinian Prime Minister
Mahmoud Abbas to scrap a visit to the northern Gaza Strip town, as two Palestinians
were killed by Israeli gunfire elsewhere.
'One
day in five, the IDF attempts assassination'
Haaretz, May 21, 2003
Attorneys Avigdor Feldman and Michael Sfarad yesterday submitted a detailed 50-page-plus
document to the clerk of the Supreme Court. Even non-lawyers will read it with
bated breath. Unlike the documents usually filed with the court, this one is rich
in literary style (including irony), raises grave moral and philosophical questions
and includes information with which the public is not familiar.
A
teacher and pupil injured in Zionist attack on school
Palestinian Information Center, May 21, 2003
Al-Khalil - Israeli occupation forces raided the Deer Samt high school for boys
(25km east of Al-Khalil) this morning and opened fire injuring a pupil and his
teacher. School sources stated that the pupil Mohamed Mahmoud Al-Sharawna was
hit by a rubber bullet and his teacher Talib Al-Sweti was hit by a live bullet,
their injuries were minor.
Israeli
Troops Demolish Homes, Invade Towns
International Press Center, May 21, 2003
RAFAH, Palestine, May 21, 2003 (IPC+ Agencies)-- Early on Wednesday, Israeli troops
demolished six Palestinian homes in Rafah city, south of Gaza Strip along with
two others in Nablus city, West Bank.
Bush
calls Sharon, Abbas to encourage peace talks
Haaretz, May 21, 2003
U.S. President George Bush called Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon yesterday, reiterating his commitment to his June
24 two-state solution, and encouraging Abbas to combat terrorism.
Bush
Weighs Mideast Trip
New York Times, May 21, 2003
WASHINGTON, May 20 — President Bush, intervening to salvage his administration's
battered Middle East peace plan, today called the new Palestinian prime minister
for the first time, and administration officials said he was considering traveling
to the region in the next few weeks for the first time as president.
Sharon's
Chief of Staff to Talk to Bush
The Guardian, May 21, 2003
WASHINGTON (AP) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's chief of staff is holding
talks Wednesday with Bush administration officials in a search for ways to counter
terror and clear the path for negotiations with the Palestinians. Dov Weisglass
arrived unannounced for a meeting with Condoleezza Rice, President Bush's assistant
for national security, and other administration officials.
Likud
`forum' blasts road map
Haaretz, May 21, 2003
Some 800 Likud members, including more than half the party's MKs, gathered this
week to inform Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that they oppose his diplomatic program
and consider the road map to be "worse than Oslo."
Crushed:
the farmers caught between the Israeli army and Hamas
The Independent, May 21, 2003
[T]he Israelis bulldozed Mr Shawwa's 6,000 orange and lemon trees "to prevent
Hamas militants using them as cover". -- "We have lost our livelihood. We have
lost our orange gold," said Maher al-Shawwa, walking through his ruined citrus
groves. "Each tree is like my baby." Israeli tanks pulled out of Beit Hanoun in
the Gaza Strip yesterday, after what was deemed a "successful" five-day operation
to stop Palestinian militants firing rockets into Israel.
Occupation
forces arrest 8 Palestinians
Palestinian Information Center, May 21, 2003
Occupied Jerusalem - Zionist security sources revealed on Wednesday morning that
8 Palestinians were arrested last night in the west bank, seven of whom were from
Al-Khalil on suspicion of involvement with resistance.
The
Democracy Index: Major Findings 2003 - The State of the Israeli Democracy
Palestine Monitor/The Israel Democracy Institute, May 22, 2003
For over a decade, from 1992-2003, the IDI has been studying the quality of Israeli
democracy and how well it functions. Entitled The Democracy Index, this study
consists of two parts: a long-term and comparative study of some thirty-one indicators
measuring Israeli democracy against that of thirty-five other democracies, and
a public opinion survey reflecting how Israelis view their democracy.
Fateh
forced into camp ceasefire after clashes with extremist rivals
Jordan Times, May 21, 2003
AIN AL HILWEH, Lebanon (AFP) — An uneasy calm returned to Ain Al Hilweh
Palestinian refugee camp in south Lebanon Tuesday after factional fighting which
dealt a serious blow to the dominance of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fateh
movement. Fateh, six of whose members were killed in Monday's clashes, signed
a ceasefire deal with the fundamentalist groups Osbat Al Nour and Osbat Al Ansar,
which appears on a US terrorist organisation list.
IOF
Re-invade Beit Hanoun after Few- Hour-Long Withdrawal
Palestine Media Center, May 21, 2003
Destruction of Homes, Uprooting of Trees Leaves Land Arid -- May 21, 2003
- Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) re-invaded the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit
Hanoun, after it withdrew for several hours, leaving behind a trail of destroyed
houses and uprooted olive, citrus and date palm trees.
Israeli
tanks move back to Beit Hanun
Middle East Online, May 21, 2003
BEIT HANUN, Gaza Strip - Israeli tanks and bulldozers moved back into the northern
Gaza town of Beit Hanun on Wednesday, forcing Palestinian prime minister Mahmud
Abbas and his security chief Mohammad Dahlan to cancel a visit to the area.
Bush
in 'friendly' phone call to Abbas
The Guardian, May 21, 2003
George Bush yesterday tried once more to rescue his "road map" to Middle East
peace by initiating his first telephone conversation with the Palestinian prime
minister, Mahmoud Abbas, or Abu Mazen as he is known.
Bush
Calls Abu Mazen, Reiterates Palestinian State by 2005
International Press Center, May 21, 2003
RAMALLAH, May 21, 2003 (IPC + Agencies)- - Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud
Abbas (Abu Mazen) asserted his commitment to peace, reform and ending terror to
the US president George Bush. In a phone call made by president Bush to PM Abu
Mazen, which is considered the first contact between the US president and the
Palestinian Prime Minister.
Abu
Mazen appeals for an end to Zionist pressures on Arafat
Palestinian Information Center, May 21, 2003
Ramallah - Sources close to the Palestinian Authority premier Mahmoud Abbas (better
known as Abu Mazen) said that he asked the USA and UK to pressure “Israel”
into ending provocations against PA chief Yasser Arafat.
Majali,
Shaath discuss bridge crossing procedures
Jordan Times, May 21, 2003
AMMAN (Agencies) — Minister of Interior Qaftan Majali and Palestinian Foreign
Minister Nabil Shaath met on Tuesday to discuss procedures taken by the government
to facilitate traffic on bridges linking the Kingdom with the Palestinian self-rule
territories.
PCHR
Deplores Israel's Unprecedented Actions Against Internationals in the OPT
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, May 18, 2003
Israeli authorities are continuing to impose severe measures on internationals
moving in and out of the Gaza Strip. As of today, 18 May 2003, with the exception
of some United Nations staff and a small number of humanitarian workers, internationals
are being prevented from entering or leaving the Gaza Strip.
Medical
Personnel Released
Palestine Monitor, May 19, 2003
Further to our recent appeal, we are pleased to announce the release of Mr Nasaif
Al Dik (Coordinator of Community Health Projects), Shadi Abu Bakr and Ahmed Badwan
(Medical Relief Volunteers). All were arrested whilst in their homes along with
Dr Mohammed Skafi (Head of Emergency Services and First Aid). Dr Skafi was released
on the 7th of May.
PSL
warns of Zionist attacks on Aqsa Mosque
Palestinian Information Center, May 21, 2003
Nablus - The Palestine Scholars League has warned the Zionist government of serious
repercussions in the event of any new Jewish encroachment on the holy Aqsa Mosque.
Quds
Brigades affirm responsibility for Afula martyrdom operation
Palestinian Information Center, May 21, 2003
Gaza - The Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement, yesterday
affirmed responsibility for the Afula attack in a statement, a copy of which was
made available to the Palestinian Information Center.
Weekly
Review of the Arab Press in Israel
Arab Association for Human Rights, May 20, 2003
Published every Tuesday. Provides news from the Arab community in Israel and an
update on the main issues debated in the Arab society in Israel, in topics such
as human rights, civil rights, discrimination, and freedom of expression.
Occupation
Chronicle Events in Palestine May 21, 2003
Palestine Media Center, May 21, 2003
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) demolished 9 houses in the southern Gaza Strip
town of Rafah and Nablus and Bethlehem cities in the West Bank. IOF also raided
a West Bank school and wounded a student. IOF Raid Hebron School, Wound Student.
IOF Detain Palestinian in Salem Village. IOF detain 6 Citizens in Hebron.
Israeli
foreign minister considers EU membership
EU Observer, May 21, 2003
The freshly appointed Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom, is considering
Israel's EU credentials, reports Israeli daily, Ha’aretz....Any acceptance
of Israel as a member is likely to be based on a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict and substantially improved Arab-Israeli relations. The political criteria
for entering the EU requires would-be members to have good relations with their
neighbours. At present this would mean some creative map reading, or Israel to
dramatically improve its relations with Lebanon, Syria, and most crucially Palestine.
Female
bombers show shift in thinking
Haaretz, May 21, 2003
Hiba Da'arma, who committed Monday's terror attack in Afula, was the fifth woman
to become a suicide bomber since the intifada broke out 32 months ago - but she
was the first to be employed by Islamic Jihad.
Argentines
not coming to Israel
Haaretz, May 21, 2003
Immigration to Israel from Argentina has declined drastically this year, a Jewish
Agency official told the Knesset Immigration Committee yesterday....The drop was
largely due to the fact that Argentine Jews no longer believe the promises of
Israeli envoys, according to Ernesto Frances of the Association of Immigrants
from Argentina.
UK
panel nixes complaint over anti-Sharon cartoon
Haaretz, May 21, 2003
LONDON - Britain's Press Complaints Commission last week rejected the complaint
submitted by Israel's embassy in London against the cartoon published in The Independent
on January 27, the day before the elections in Israel, in which Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon is seen butchering and eating a Palestinian child and asking: "What's
wrong? Have you never seen a politician kissing a child before?"
Analysis
/ There's still no light at the end of the economic tunnel
Haaretz, May 21, 2003
Just last week, the Central Bureau of Statistics published an optimistic figure
that grabbed front-page headlines in all the papers: The economy grew by 2.5 percent
during the first quarter. Some people immediately began celebrating the end of
the recession....Yesterday, the unemployment figures confirmed that the situation
is, indeed, worse than we thought.
Knesset
passes reading of bill proposing one chief rabbi
Haaretz, May 21, 2003
The Knesset on Wednesday passed the preliminary reading of a bill proposing that
there be one chief rabbi in the country, rather than one chief Ashkenazi rabbi
and one chief Sephardi rabbi, as is currently the practice.
Ben-Eliezer
supports Peres as Labor president
Haaretz, May 21, 2003
Former Labor Party chairman MK Benjamin Ben-Eliezer has promised MK Shimon Peres
his support in making Peres the party president, who would have the authority
to act as party chairman until a new one is elected.
U.S.:
Barrels Missing From Iraq Nuke Site
The Guardian, May 21, 2003
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Some 20 percent of the known radioactive materials stored
at Iraq's largest nuclear facility are unaccounted for, and U.S. nuclear experts
have found radioactive patches on the ground where looters dumped out barrels
believed to contain hazardous materials.
Allies
to Begin Seizing Weapons From Most Iraqis
New York Times, May 21, 2003
BAGHDAD, May 20 — Iraqi citizens will be required to turn over automatic
weapons and heavy weapons under a proclamation that allied authorities plan to
issue this week, allied officials said today. The aim of the proclamation is to
help stabilize Iraq by confiscating the huge supply of AK-47's, machine guns,
rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons that are used by criminal gangs, paramilitary
groups and remnants of the Saddam Hussein government.
Conference
on Iraq's future delayed till July
Middle East Online, May 21, 2003
BAGHDAD - The head of the US-led administration in Iraq, Paul Bremer, on Wednesday
put off until July a planned meeting of Iraqi politicians to chart out the country's
political future. "I don't think it's going to be in June," he said in a fresh
shifting of the target date for the promised national conference that had originally
been due by the end of this month. "We are talking about some time in July."
American
concession eases fear of UN veto
The Guardian, May 21, 2003
The UN security council could drop its objections to the US occupation of Iraq
as early as this week, now that Washington has conceded more powers to a future
UN mission in Baghdad. Diplomats and UN officials said the American compromises,
reviewed by council members yesterday, would allay the concerns of Russia, France
and Germany about Washington's sweeping powers over Iraq's resources and the establishment
of a new government.
Soros
Watchdog to Monitor US Use of Iraqi Oil
CommonDreams, May 21, 2003
UNITED NATIONS - Billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros said on
Tuesday he was setting up a watchdog group to guard against any abuses in how
the United States manages Iraq's oil resources while it occupies Baghdad. Soros,
at a news conference at U.N. headquarters, also said he hoped Iraq would not repay
all its foreign debt stemming from Saddam Hussein's years in power, in order --
he said -- to discourage the practice of lending money to dictators.
US
Plans to Keep Control of Iraq Oil
CommonDreams, May 20, 2003
UNITED NATIONS - In hopes of getting strong U.N. support, the United States has
made concessions in its quest to lift 13-year-old trade sanctions against Iraq,
opening the door for the return of U.N. arms inspectors. But the resolution, expected
to be adopted by Friday, still gives the United States and Britain wide-ranging
powers to run Iraq and control its oil industry until a permanent government is
established, which could take years.
U.S.,
IAEA Negotiate Sending Teams to Iraq
Washington Post, May 21, 2003
Agency Concerned About Nuclear Sites -- The United States has started discussions
with the International Atomic Energy Agency to make arrangements for IAEA teams
to return to Iraq to determine what may have been stolen from nuclear sites, a
State Department official said yesterday.
Top
Briton In Iraq Sees No Elections For ‘One-Two Years’
Islam Online, May 21, 2003
BAGHDAD, May 20 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - The top British civilian
in Baghdad, John Sawers, said Tuesday, May 20, that the U.S.-led forces did not
intend to hand power to an Iraqi government until elections have been held, which
he expected to take between one and two years.
Power
workers protest against new Baath boss in Baghdad
Jordan Times, May 21, 2003
BAGHDAD (AFP) — About 50 electricity department employees staged a demonstration
Tuesday in the Iraqi capital against the appointment of a former Baath Party official
to be their boss. The group gathered outside the headquarters of US-British coalition
forces in a former presidential palace in Baghdad and handed over a protest letter
against Karim Wahid Hassan, recently named as director of the department.
NATO:
Poland Will Lead Iraq Peacekeepers
The Guardian, May 21, 2003
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - NATO's 19 nations agreed unanimously Wednesday to start
planning to help Poland lead a multinational peacekeeping force in Iraq, a move
that begins to heal the alliance's deep divisions over the war.
'Iron
hand' cleric issues fatwa amid Baghdad chaos
The Guardian, May 21, 2003
Baghdad's most powerful Shia cleric warned yesterday that he would use a 'hand
of iron' to impose an extreme vision of Islam that could seriously challenge America's
secular ambitions for Iraq.
Iraqi
Politicians to Issue a Protest of Occupation Rule
New York Times, May 21, 2003
BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 20 — Iraq's main political groups said tonight that they
were drafting a formal statement of protest to the American and British authorities
over their plans to declare an occupation authority in Iraq, which would delay
the rapid turnover of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government.
UNESCO
finds daunting task in rebuilding of Iraqi cultural institutions
Jordan Times, May 21, 2003
AMMAN — United Nations cultural experts returning from Iraq say the damage
done to cultural institutions from looting is a “disaster” that will
take years to repair. After four days of museum inspections in Baghdad and talks
with Iraqi cultural and historical experts, the United Nations Education, Scientific
and Cultural Organisation team told the press Tuesday that they faced daunting
challenges in determining what was stolen and in getting museums up and running
again.
British
Army officer investigated over Iraq war allegations
The Independent, May 21, 2003
A high-profile British Army officer is being investigated over allegations about
his conduct in Iraq, it emerged today. Lieutenant Colonel Tim Collins, who made
headlines on the eve of battle with a stirring speech to his troops that was praised
by the Prince of Wales and President George Bush, is being investigated by the
Army's Special Investigations Branch, defence sources said.
Bremer
oversees reopening of Baghdad prison
Middle East Online, May 21, 2003
BAGHDAD - The head of the US-led administration in Iraq, Paul Bremer, oversaw
the reopening of a Baghdad prison and police station Wednesday in a demonstration
of his tough new security policy that was marred by a bomb alert and a protest.
U.S.
Analysts Link Iraq Labs to Germ Arms
New York Times, May 21, 2003
United States intelligence agencies have concluded that two mysterious trailers
found in Iraq were mobile units to produce germs for weapons, but they have found
neither biological agents nor evidence that the equipment was used to make such
arms, according to senior administration officials.
Prince
Abdullah: No real proof al-Qaeda carried out attacks
Middle East Online, May 21, 2003
KUWAIT CITY - Saudi Arabia has no concrete proof the al-Qaeda terror network was
behind last week's suicide bombings in Riyadh that claimed 25 victims, Crown Prince
Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz said in an interview published Wednesday.
U.S.
Diplomatic Outposts to Be Shut in Saudi Arabia
New York Times, May 21, 2003
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 20 — American officials said today that the United
States Embassy here and two consulates in Saudi Arabia would be closed on Wednesday
because of an "imminent" threat of more terrorist attacks inside the kingdom.
Officials in Britain and Germany also said they would close their embassies temporarily.
Al-Zawahiri
calls for suicide attacks against Westerners
Middle East Online, May 21, 2003
DUBAI - Osama Bin Laden's deputy in the al-Qaeda terror network called Wednesday
on Muslims to carry out more suicide attacks against Western targets, in an audiotape
attributed to him by Al-Jazeera television.
New
Arab League sought
Middle East Online, May 21, 2003
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher urged Wednesday Arab League member-states
to find a "new vision" to save their grouping, which emerged more divided than
ever from the US-led war in Iraq. Officials at the Cairo-based league meanwhile
said that proposals were being floated on how to reform the 22-member organization,
with some taking inspiration from the European Union.
Speaker
Disrupts RC Graduation
CommonDreams/Rockford Register Star, May 21, 2003
A New York Times reporter delivers an antiwar speech that offended many. His microphone
was unplugged within three minutes. -- ROCKFORD — New York Times reporter
Chris Hedges was booed off the stage Saturday at Rockford College’s graduation
because he gave an antiwar speech. Two days later, graduates and family members,
envisioning a “go out and make your mark” send-off, are still reeling.
Guests wanting to hear the author and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter are equally
appalled.
Noted
Scientists Reject Nuclear Quest
CommonDreams/San Francisco Chronicle, May 20, 2003
U.S. research would give legitimacy to others to develop low-yield bombs, letter
says -- As Congress moves closer to a vote on repealing a ban against developing
smaller, more usable nuclear warheads, a group of prominent scientists issued
a letter Monday urging that the prohibition be kept in place.
Letter:
Leading Scientists Call on Senate to Keep Mini-nuke Ban
Union of Concerned Scientists, May 19, 2003
Dear Senator, as scientists and engineers with long experience on nuclear weapons
and defense issues, we are writing to urge you to retain the Spratt-Furse law
banning development leading to the production of nuclear weapons with yields of
less than five kilotons.
Intelligence
Agency Does Not Distinguish Between Terrorism and Peace Activism
CommonDreams/Oakland Tribune, May 18, 2003
State Monitored War Protesters -- "You can make an easy kind of a link that, if
you have a protest group protesting a war where the cause that's being fought
against is international terrorism, you might have terrorism at that (protest).
You can almost argue that a protest against that is a terrorist act." --
Days before firing wooden slugs at anti-war protesters, Oakland police were warned
of potential violence at the Port of Oakland by California's anti-terrorism intelligence
center, which admits blurring the line between terrorism and political dissent.
Bush
Hopes Goodwill Will Help U.S. Image
The Guardian, May 21, 2003
NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) - President Bush wants to burnish his administration's
image abroad by highlighting global U.S. generosity as he prepares to attend a
major meeting of world leaders next month. Delivering the commencement address
at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on Wednesday, Bush was to tout ``the great role
America's compassion abroad plays in averting wars and in solving problems,''
White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said.
Alarm
at Pentagon's email snooping
The Guardian, May 21, 2003
Civil liberties groups raised their concerns yesterday about the Pentagon's plans
for cyber-surveillance systems which would give the government access to private
emails and medical, education, travel and financial records. The fears were expressed
as the defence department reported on its plans for the total information awareness
(Tia) programme.
