Israeli
sources: IDF pullout in Gaza could begin Monday
Haaretz, June 28, 2003
Israel and the Palestinian Authority reached an agreement Friday for an IDF pullback
in the Gaza Strip and a transferal of security control to the Palestinians, during
a meeting between Palestinian Minister for Security Mohammed Dahlan and Israel's
coordinator in the territories, Major General Amos Gilad. No agreement was reached
on a transfer of security control in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, but talks
on the matter will take place in the coming week.
Israel,
Hamas Compromise
Arab News, June 28, 2003
GAZA CITY, 28 June 2003 — A cease-fire deal appeared likely as Hamas, Islamic
Jihad and the Fatah movement finalized a truce document yesterday and Israeli
and Palestinian officials reached an agreement in principle over an Israeli Army
withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and Bethlehem. The withdrawal of troops is due
to take place next Monday or Tuesday, Israeli television reported, quoting a leading
Israeli official.
Jihad
Leader Says Group Accepts Truce
The Guardian, June 28, 2003
JERUSALEM (AP) - An Islamic Jihad leader announced Saturday that the group accepted
a conditional three-month halt to attacks on Israelis - the first open confirmation
of the deal from a militant leader.
PM
Abu Mazen Meets Rice Today Amid Alleged Israeli-Palestinian Withdrawal Agreement
International Press Center, June 28, 2003
RAMALLAH, Palestine, June 28, 2003 (IPC + Agencies)- - US National Security Advisor,
Condoleezza Rice, will meet Saturday evening with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud
Abbass (Abu Mazen) in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Israeli sources said Rice
would meet Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Foreign Minister Silvan
Shalom and Defense Minister Shaol Mofaz.
Breaking
News: Khan Younis couple wounded by IOF
International Press Center, June 28, 2003
19:00-- Palestinian parents, Fathia Salama, 38, and her husband, Jamal Salama,
40, were wounded after being shot by Israeli occupation forces in the city of
Khan-Younis, Palestinian medical sources said.
Explosives
detonate near convoy with U.S. diplomats in Gaza
Haaretz, June 28, 2003
Two explosive devices detonated Saturday afternoon near a convoy with U.S. diplomats
travelling on the "Tancher" highway, which bisects the northern and southern Gaza
Strip. No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred adjacent to the
town of Beit Lahiya. One car sustained damages in the blast.
PM:
"no peace or security if one prisoner remains behind bars.”
International Press Center, June 28, 2003
RAMALLAH, June 28, 2003, (IPC)-- Palestinian Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas, said
Saturday in Ramallah the Palestinian National Authority is concerned in the issue
of the prisoners in Israeli jails, focusing on the necessity of releasing all
Palestinian detainees is main block in the way of peace and security.
Hamas,
Fatah Differences Delaying Truce: Sources
Islam Online, June 28, 2003
CAIRO, June 28 (IslamOnline.net) - Differences between the Palestinian Fatah movement
and the resistance group Hamas were delaying the announcement of the envisaged
Palestinian-Israeli truce, well-informed Palestinian sources told IslamOnline.net
Saturday, June 28. Egypt Qatar and Saudi Arabia received Saturday two divergent
truce blueprints, one from Hamas proposing a three-month truce and the other from
Fatah, suggesting its extension to six months.
Palestinians
Urge Smaller Factions to Join Truce
New York Times, June 28, 2003
JERUSALEM, June 28 - Seeking the first complete suspension of Palestinian violence
against Israelis after 33 months of conflict, Palestinian leaders reached beyond
Hamas and Islamic Jihad today to persuade other, smaller factions to join in an
announcement planned with those two groups for Sunday, Palestinian officials said.
Despite
Ceasefire Talks, Little Optimism in Ramallah
Palestine Chronicle, June 27, 2003
RAMALLAH, West Bank (PC) - Not even a ceasefire will instill optimism among the
Palestinians of Ramallah. That much was clear earlier this week when people spoke
about their experiences under occupation. Everyone interviewed by the Palestinian
Chronicle was sure Israel would probably never withdraw from the West Bank or
Gaza.
Defense
Min. to build separation fence in Baka al-Garbiyeh
Haaretz, June 27, 2003
Within a few days, the Defense Ministry will begin construction of a second separation
fence in Baka al-Garbiyeh in the Triangle. The fence will deprive some residents
of their land, and completely block passage to the adjacent village of Baka al-Sharqiyeh.
In about six months, passage from the territories into Baka al-Garbiyeh - where
an Israeli civilian was killed in a terror attack Thursday - will be completely
blocked.
42%
of West Bank areas confiscated due to segregation fence
Palestinian Information Center, June 28, 2003
Gaza - More than 42% of Palestinian lands in the West Bank would be confiscated
by the Zionist entity after completion of the so-called security fence built to
ward off Palestinian commando raids into the green line. A report by the PLO’s
political department said that the Zionist entity was confiscating 1248 sq km
while building the western wall of the fence while another 1242 sq km were being
confiscated to build the eastern wall.
Israel
Isolates Nablus from the Outside World
International Press Center, June 28, 2003
Nablus, June 28, 2003 (IPC)--Despite their claims of easing the Palestinian people's
suffering that they try to "market" all over the world, the Israeli occupying
forces (IOF) continue to isolate Nablus District from the other Palestinian districts
and the outer world. In the town of Asira Al Shamaleya, IOF patrols further gripped
control over the roads of the town, chasing the citizens and the cars
that try to go out of the town, eyewitnesses told IPC correspondent.
Hebron:
Forces of construction, forces of destruction
Jerusalem Times, June 26, 2003
Palestinian efforts to rehabilitate the Old City in Hebron have been confronted
by a new threat imposed by occupation authorities, which recently issued a military
order to demolish the southern side of the city.
IDF
officer jailed for refusing order during outpost removal
Haaretz, June 28, 2003
An IDF officer who refused to participate in the evacuation of an illegal outpost
was sentenced by a military court Friday to a month in a military prison. Military
sources said he would most likely face a military discharge following his prison
term.
Policeman
hurt by rocks hurled on Bar Ilan street in J'lem
Haaretz, June 28, 2003
One policeman suffered light injuries Saturday after being struck in the head
by rocks hurled by ultra-Orthodox Jews on Bar Ilan street in Jerusalem to protest
Israelis driving on the Sabbath. The protestors hurled both rocks and garbage
at passing vehicles. Despite the protests, the road was open to traffic.
Occupation
Chronicle Events in Palestine June 28, 2003
Palestine Media Center
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed four Palestinians, including a 15-year-old
boy, after raiding al-Mighraqa town in the Gaza Strip. IOF also wounded a Palestinian
boy in the northern West Bank town of Tubas and detained 3 Palestinians in the
central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah. Israeli Navy Ships Attack Palestinian
Fishermen Boats.
Hear
Palestine June 28, 2003
Hear Palestine
NEWS: Yesterday: 4 Palestinians, Israeli Soldier Killed during Invasion
of al-Mighraqa / More Detainees Join Food Strike / Hebron: Military and Settler
Attacks against Residents / Bethlehem: Home Demolition Orders in Kisan Village
/ Khan Younis: Resident Wounded in Israeli Fire / Ramallah: Oppressive Measures
at Roadblocks NEWS REPORTS: Withdrawal from north Gaza and Bethlehem
within 24 Hours / Palestinian Truce to be Declared Tomorrow
Forces
thwarted attacks militants planned in Haifa, Petah Tikva
Haaretz, June 28, 2003
Security forces thwarted terror attacks planned for Haifa and Petah Tikva this
week after locating militants in Baka al-Garbiyeh and Kafr Qasem, it was released
for publication on Saturday. Two Palestinians killed by security forces near the
Israeli-Arab town of Baka al-Garbiyeh on Thursday were en route to carry out a
double suicide bombing in Haifa.
Hamas
says truce document is ready
Sydney Morning Herald, June 28, 2003
Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement had "agreed on" a truce
document which would be released within the next few days, a senior official of
the radical Hamas movement said yesterday. "There is a shared document, which
reflects a shared position, and was agreed on by Hamas, Jihad and Fatah. It will
be announced very soon, within a few days," Abdelaziz al-Rantissi told AFP, adding
that Hamas "prepared the document".
Declaration
of Truce Expected Sunday, to Coincide with IOF Withdrawal from Gaza
Palestine Media Center, June 28, 2003
According to a mutual agreement “in principle” on Friday, announced
one day ahead of a visit by the US national adviser Condolizza Rice, Palestinian
and Israeli field commanders are expected to meet Sunday to draw up detailed plans
for the withdrawal of Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) from reoccupied Palestinian
territories in Gaza Strip and the West Bank Governorate of Bethlehem, to coincide
with a truce to be declared by Palestinian factions on the same day, according
to media reports.
Israel
To Withdraw From Gaza Monday: Israeli Media
Islam Online, June 28, 2003
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, June 28 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - The Israeli
army will pull out Monday, June 30, from parts of the Gaza Strip under a deal
reached with the Palestinian Authority, the Israeli public and army broadcasts
announced Saturday, June 28.
Hamas
to declare stand regarding truce in few days
Palestinian Information Center, June 28, 2003
Gaza - Dr. Abdul Aziz Ranteesi, political bureau member of the Islamic Resistance
Movement, Hamas, has declared that his Movement had concluded consultations on
the issue of a truce and would declare its official stand within the few coming
days.
Israel
pledges to pull troops out of Gaza
The Guardian, June 28, 2003
Israel agreed the terms of a troop withdrawal from most of the Gaza strip yesterday
under American pressure to ensure that the road map to peace begins to deliver
practical results to the Palestinians. Its decision came just hours after Hamas
and other groups which the Israelis define as "terrorist organisations" confirmed
a three-month halt to all attacks, inside Israel and in the occupied territories.
Rice
arrives in Mideast for Gaza talks
Jerusalem Post, June 28, 2003
Presidential adviser Condoleezza Rice is holding talks with Israeli and Palestinian
officials this weekend in an effort to build on an agreement that withdraws Israeli
security forces from northern Gaza. Rice is due to meet separately with Palestinian
Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas in Jericho and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
in Jerusalem.
Hamas
calls three-month halt to suicide bombings
The Independent, June 28, 2003
The Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad have agreed to halt all
suicide bombings and other attacks on Israelis in a three-month ceasefire, senior
leaders from the groups said yesterday. If the ceasefire holds, it could bring
an end to almost three years of bloodshed and allow President George Bush's road-map
peace plan to progress.
Israeli,
PA officers to meet Sunday to finalize pullout details
Haaretz, June 28, 2003
Palestinian and Israeli officers in the field are to meet Sunday to finalize details
of an IDF pullout in the Gaza Strip, which is estimated to begin as soon as Monday,
sources in Jerusalem said. The meeting will focus on arrangements for the movement
of vehicles on the main "Tancher" highway that bisects the northern and southern
Strip; the sharing of intelligence to prevent attacks on Israeli targets; and
the deployment of Palestinian security forces in areas evacuated by IDF troops.
Middle
East deal could see army leave Gaza soon
Financial Times, June 28, 2003
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators on Friday clinched a deal that could see the
start of a phased military withdrawal by the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip
tomorrow, raising hopes that progress is being made on a "road map" designed to
end nearly three years of violence.
Rice
meeting Palestinian PM Abbas, Security Minister Dahlan in Jericho
Haaretz, June 28, 2003
United States National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice was meeting Saturday
evening with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas in Jericho, Israel Radio
reported. Mohammed Dahlan, Palestinian Minister responsible for security affairs,
was also participating in the meeting.
Islamic
Jihad: militants' truce call expected in 24 hours
Haaretz, June 28, 2003
Three Palestinian militant groups are expected to announce a halt to attacks on
Israel within 24 hours, a top Islamic Jihad official said on Saturday. "We expect
to declare the final agreement in the coming 24 hours," said senior Islamic Jihad
official Mohammed al-Hindi.
US
steps up pressure for peace
BBC, June 28, 2003
Palestinian security forces are set to replace Israeli troops in some areas --
US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice has arrived in Israel amid fresh
hopes for progress on the American-backed Middle East peace plan known as the
roadmap. Under a deal struck on Friday, Israeli troops could start withdrawing
from parts of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Monday.
34%
of PA budget to security apparatuses
Palestinian Information Center, June 28, 2003
Bethlehem - Participants in a workshop on reforms in the Palestinian Authority
on Thursday night ruled out any real reforms in the PA performance after declaration
of the government of Abu Mazen. They said that 34% of the budget approved by Abu
Mazen’s government was allocated to security affairs.
Christians
Help Israelis in West Bank
The Guardian, June 28, 2003
ARIEL, West Bank (AP) - Digging into the West Bank soil, Christians from suburban
Denver plant seedlings in a vineyard as a blessing for the 18,000 Jews who have
built a town here on land the Palestinians claim for their state.
EU
brushes off pressure from Bush to blacklist Hamas
Middle East Information Center, June 28, 2003
The European Commission on Friday brushed off pressure from U.S. President George
W. Bush for the European Union to put the Palestinian militant group Hamas on
its list of outlawed terrorist organisations.
US
and EU seeking accord on blocking funds to Hamas
Salaam UK/Financial Times, June 27, 2003
The US and European Union are trying to reach agreement to block funding to several
organisations connected with the political wing of Hamas, the radical Palestinian
group. The action, if agreed, would mark the first time the EU has accepted the
US claim that at least some of the millions of dollars flowing from Europe and
the Gulf states for Hamas's political and charitable works is being used to finance
suicide bombings and other terrorist actions.
ISM
Denies Israeli Findings on Corrie’s Death
Palestine Media Center, June 28, 2003
‘No Steps Will Be Taken’ against IOF Soldiers Involved in US Activist’s
Death -- The ISM denied the Israeli findings on the death of US peace activist
Rachel Corrie after Israel said it has concluded its investigation into her death,
saying it was an “accident” and closed the file “without any
steps being taken against those involved”, according to a statement by the
Israeli occupation army.
Israel
Prevents Entry of European Medical Delegation
Palestine Monitor/Palestine Medical Relief, June 28, 2003
Palestine Medical Relief denounces the Israeli prevention of a Medical Delegation
from Belgium and Holland, to enter Israel with the purpose of investigating the
Health Services in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. On the 23rd of June 2003
a Medical Delegation arrived at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. The visit
was organized by Holland’s Palestine Solidarity Group – “Stop
the Occupation”, of which Gretta Druisenberg is Chair.
French,
Yemeni presidents call for comprehensive solution in ME region
Arabic News, June 28, 2003
Sources close to the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Paris said after the
meeting he had with the French President Jacque Chirac that the French President
raised more than one time the issue of comprehensive peace in the region. A peace
which includes Syria and Lebanon and that Chirac agreed with Saleh on the great
concern surrounding the current status in Iraq and the need to accelerate the
political solution and restoring sovereignty to the Iraqis.
Akher
Sa'a: AL reform under way until March 2004
Arabic News, June 28, 2003
From today and until next March the Cairo-based Arab League (AL) will be a hive
of activity with the main objective of introducing comprehensive reforms to the
Arab organisation.
Qaddafi:
Palestinians, Israelis should live in one state: "Israteen"
Jerusalem Post, June 28, 2003
Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi called Friday for a complete overhaul of the 'road
map' peace plan, saying it did not live up to the needs of peace in the Middle
East. In a speech delivered via satellite link from Tripoli to academics in London,
Qaddafi called for the establishment of one unified state for the Palestinians
and the Israelis.
Taxi
drivers forced to check passenger IDs
Jerusalem Times, June 26, 2003
The taxi driver asked the man preparing to enter his vehicle, “West Bank
or Jerusalem?” The man hesitantly replied that he was a Jerusalem resident,
and the driver asked to see his ID. This is not a scene from a film; it is part
of real life in Jerusalem, whose residents are now forced to implement discriminatory
separation policies against their own people.
Israeli
musician jams jazz with politics
Middle East Times, June 27, 2003
Jazz as protest music goes back to Billie Holiday's anti-lynching recording "Strange
Fruit" in the 1940s, tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins' "Freedom Suite", the Max
Roach-Abbey Lincoln "Freedom Now Suite" and singer Nina Simone's "Mississippi
Goddam", which in their own way took on segregation and advanced the civil rights
movement in the 1960s. Now, saxophonist Gilad Atzmon, an Israeli expatriate living
in England, is making political jazz.
TT
Player Becomes Celebrity After Refusing to Face Israeli
Arab News, June 28, 2003
JEDDAH, 28 June 2003 — Getting banned from international table tennis competitions
for the rest of the year after refusing to play against an Israeli has made Nabeel
Al-Magahwi a sporting hero in Saudi Arabia.
Flier
from senator angers Muslims
Boston Globe, June 27, 2003
Senator Guy W. Glodis has angered Muslims and a civil rights group over a flier
he sent to fellow senators that says terrorist attacks could be deterred if convicted
Muslim extremists were buried with pig entrails.
Muslims
Outraged At Senator Derogatory Flier
Islam Online, June 28, 2003
WASHINGTON, June 28 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Muslims and civil
rights groups were irked by a derogatory flier circulated by Senator Guy W. Glodis
among fellow senators, alleging that "terrorist attacks" could be deterred if
convicted "Muslim extremists" were buried with pig entrails, a leading U.S. newspaper
reported Friday, June 27.
Al-Qudhaieen
Transferred to Virginia for Investigation
Arab News, June 28, 2003
WASHINGTON, 28 June 2003 — Mohamed Al-Qudhaieen, the Saudi student who was
arrested two weeks ago by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Tucson, Arizona,
has been transferred to a detention facility in Alexandria, Virginia, which is
also the center for legal actions involving terror investigations.
US
push for global police force
Sydney Morning Herald, June 28, 2003
The United States would train and lead an international police force, bypassing
traditional peacekeeping bodies such as the United Nations and NATO, under a proposal
by the Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld. The plan, involving thousands of Americans
permanently assigned to peacekeeping, would also be a major reversal by the Bush
Administration, which has strongly opposed tying up its troops in such operations.
Wolfowitz
in Charge of Military Commissions, Rules and Guantanamo Condemned
Muslim American Society, June 27, 2003
WASHINGTON, June 26 (MASNET & News Agencies) - The Pentagon took another step
Thursday toward trials of people detained in the “war on terrorism”
by naming Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz as the authority empowered to
recommend that charges be referred to military commissions amid growing criticism
of the trial process and detentions at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Saudi
under US fire, again
Middle East Online, June 28, 2003
Washington suspicious of Saudi aid funneled to potential terrorist groups.-- US
senators, experts and a top government official have accused Saudi Arabia of giving
massive financial backing to the fundamentalist Wahhabi Islamic movement, which
they say represent a major threat.
Charges
Dropped for S.F. War Protesters
The Guardian, June 28, 2003
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The district attorney has decided to drop charges against
407 people arrested during massive war protests that clogged San Francisco's downtown
streets earlier this year.
U.S.
Aims to Repatriate Syrian Soldiers
The Guardian, June 28, 2003
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - The United States is working out details to repatriate
five Syrian border guards wounded by American forces during a fierce attack on
the Syrian-Iraqi frontier this month, a U.S. Embassy spokeswoman said Saturday.
Who
said what at the WEF in Jordan
Middle East Times, June 27, 2003
Over 50 top Middle Eastern business leaders launched an Arab Business Council
at the forum to bolster regional competitiveness and ties with the world community.
The chairman of its seven-member executive committee, Shafiq Gabr of Egypt, said
the council would help tackle "slow growth, weak investment flows and the perceived
instability that currently mar the region's potential."
Mandela’s
photograph album has no place for Bush
The Times, June 28, 2003
NELSON MANDELA launched a new attack on President Bush yesterday, indicating that
he would refuse to meet him in protest at the war in Iraq. Mr Mandela’s
outburst is expected to rule out what little prospect there may have been for
a meeting between the two men, making Mr Bush the first visiting leader to avoid
seeking an audience with the former President of South Africa.
