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Israeli
Police Attack Palestinian Female Prisoners
Palestine Chronicle, July 10, 2003
"In one instance, Israeli soldiers reportedly opened with force the mouth of one
of the prisoners in order to make her inhale more tear gas .." -- HEBRON, West
Bank - Israeli soldiers attacked and violently suppressed Palestinian female prisoners
at the Ramle Prison Monday injuring 16 political prisoners, eight of them seriously,
Palestinian sources revealed Thursday. The Ramallah-based newspaper al-Ayyam quoted
one prisoner as saying that as many as 70 crack Israeli soldiers stormed the prison
and violently and savagely suppressed a strike protesting the increasing practice
of open-ended solitary confinement at the prison.
Forcible
Land Takeover Campaigns at Large in West Bank, IOF Closes Roads and Isolates Neighborhoods
in Hebron
International Press Center, July 10, 2003
PALESTINE, July 10, 2003 (IPC + Agencies)- - The violations of all security agreements
and the internationally-backed "Road Map" peace plan continued at large by the
Israeli occupying forces, as today, IOF resumed its usual activity of seizing
lands owned by Palestinian farmers forcibly, using frail security pretexts.
Israeli
Prison Conditions Drive 16 Palestinian Detainees to Commit Mass Suicide
International Press Center, July 9, 2003
The Palestinian Prisoner's Society (PPS) revealed on Tuesday a suicide attempt
by 16 Palestinian detainees in "Qidomim" detention camp, near Tulkarem, protesting
their unbearable and inhumane Israeli treatment. In a phone call with the IPC,
the PPS's administration mentioned that the 16 detainees drank whatever soap and
shampoo they got hold of, as well as swallowing nails and wires, in a desperate
attempt to draw attention to their case.
Jewish
Settlers Kidnap Three Palestinian Children in Nablus
International Press Center, July 10, 2003
Nablus, Palestine, July 10, 2003, (IPC+WAFA) -- ....A mob of Jewish settlers from
the Jewish illegitimate settlement of “Yettzhar”, southern Nablus
City, kidnapped Wednesday overnight three Palestinian children from Bureen village
of Nablus city, IPC correspondent said....After hours the three boys have been
set free and notified the Palestinian relative bodies to inquiry the incident.
[Note: Palestine Media Center reports: "Israeli military sources admitted that
IOF soldiers detained the three boys, who are aged between 10 and 11."]
High
Court turns down bid to lift the curfew in Hebron
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
The High Court of Justice yesterday turned down a petition by the Association
for Civil Rights in Israel that asked it to order the army to lift the curfew
that has been in place for more than six months in the old quarter of Hebron.
Another
six ISM activists arrested
International Solidarity Movement, July 10, 2003
Nablus, 10 July 2003 -- Six international peaceworkers participating in The ISM
Freedom Summer in Palestine campaign were arrested this afternoon in the city
of Nablus, on the West Bank.
Dahlan
meets Mofaz, wants prisoner releases, more IDF pullouts
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Palestinian Security Affairs Minister Mohammed
Dahlan met Thursday evening, despite a crisis within the Palestinian leadership
that led to the cancelation of a meeting Wednesday between Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon and his Palestinian counterpart.
Mubarak
urges Palestinians to end internal crisis; Hamas refuses to extend cease-fire
Al-Bawaba, July 10, 2003
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, urged the Palestinian leadership in a telephone
call with Yasser Arafat to avoid dissent among its ranks, Egypt's state news agency
MENA reported Thursday. Their talks focused on "the need to resolve differences
within the framework of the PLO, to preserve the unity of the Palestinians and
pursue efforts to guarantee the stability and security" of the Palestinian people,
it said.
Breaking
News: IOF blows up house in Rafah
International Press Center, July 10, 2003
20:55 Palestinian security sources said that Israeli occupying forces (IOF) blew
up a house today in Bloc "G" in the city of Rafah, using concussion bombs. (WAFA)
Palestinian
Ruling Party ‘Fatah’ Reorganizes, Reactivates Institutions
Palestine Media Center, July 10, 2003
July 10, 2003 - Following a meeting chaired by President Yasser Arafat in Ramallah
Wednesday, the Revolutionary Council of the Palestine Liberation Movement “Fatah,”
decided to re- activate the Palestinian ruling party’s institutions and
to institutionalize the Palestinian leadership’s various missions, with
effective follow-up mechanisms.
EU
wants Israel in its Wider Europe scheme
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
LONDON - The European Commission announced yesterday that it intends to incorporate
Israel into its Wider Europe scheme, which may give it a status close to that
of European Union states, especially on commercial and economic issues. EU representatives
who met with a Foreign Ministry delegation in Brussels yesterday, as part of the
annual meeting of the Israeli-EU Association Agreement Committee, said that unlike
in the past, EU-Israeli relations will no longer be conditional on the progress
of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Baby
Wa'el was born in prison
Jerusalem Times, July 10, 2003
The Jerusalem Center for Women published a letter recently from behind bars explaining
the agonizing atmosphere the convicted political prisoner, Mervat Ta'ha, are enduring
since she was imprisoned in 29/5/2001...."Days passed and since two years and
Wa'el is imprisoned with me by my side days and nights, were he is registered
now as the youngest Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails since the occupation.
Wa'el is currently in difficult conditions, w[h]ere proper medicine and
inoculation is denied away from him.
Israeli
Group: Sharon is Lying About Settlements
Palestine Chronicle, July 10, 2003
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM - The Israeli peace group, Peace Now, has accused Israeli Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon of lying and misleading world public opinion regarding the
removal of colonial outposts in the West Bank. The movement pointed out in a report
published Thursday that the number of new Jewish-only settlement outposts has
actually increased and not decreased since the Aqaba Summit conference on June
4.
A
story from the heart of Israel's secret prison
Electronic Intifada/Al-Ayyam, July 9, 2003
Despite spending a long time in prison (38 days of continuous torture), Bashar
Joudallah (50 years old) from Nablus does not remember much from the place except
black walls, or maybe grey, he doesn't remember, a "modern" interrogation room
and sounds of planes landing and taking off in a nearby place.
MKs
nearly brawl over prisoner issue
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
Yesterday's Knesset plenum debate on the release of Palestinian prisoners nearly
turned into a fistfight between MKs Issam Makhoul (Hadash) and Ehud Yatom (Likud),
after Makhoul spoke bluntly about Yatom and the question of whether prisoners
with "blood on their hands" should be released. "Why can't anyone mention the
fact that there is an MK in this house who personally smashed the skulls of prisoners?"
Makhoul demanded, referring to Yatom...
Israeli
soldiers brutally kill Palestinian civilian and seriously injure his wife
Palestine Monitor, July 9, 2003
In the early hours of this morning Israeli Special Forces and soldiers entered
the West Bank town of Burkin, killing one man, seriously injuring his wife and
arresting another Palestinian man. The Israeli army claims that they were fired
upon when entering the village, so they returned fire, however according to Palestinian
witnesses this is not true.
Internationals
and Palestinians attacked by Israeli soldiers near Nablus
International Solidarity Movement, July 10, 2003
[NABLUS] Dozens of Palestinians and approximately 30 internationals have been
attacked by Israeli soldiers in Til, near Nablus of the West Bank. Since 6:00
this morning the group has been working with their hands to remove three large
roadblocks closing off the villages of Iraq Bureen and Til, south of Nablus.
IDF
Prevents Farmers from Accessing Crops Beyond the Apartheid Wall
International Solidarity Movement, July 10, 2003
[Deir Al Ghasoon, Occupied West Bank] At 9:00 AM today 40 Palestinians and 7 international
volunteers attempted to pass through a gate in the Wall of Apartheid to plant
crops on their land that lies on the other side. Israeli authorities have repeatedly
assured the farmers that they would be allowed through to tend to their land.
Despite these assurances, 16 soldiers and 4 Israeli policemen pushed the farmers
and the internationals back through the gate and closed it.
Citing
national security, Bush sends $20M directly to PA
Haaretz, July 9, 2003
The U.S. administration, citing "national security needs and special circumstances"
to bypass Congressional prohibitions, is sending $20 million in special aid to
the Palestinian Authority to help strengthen the government of Palestinian Prime
Minister Mahmoud Abbas.
Hamas
denies developing Qassam rocket
Jerusalem Times, July 10, 2003
Abdul Azziz el Rantissi, an official in the Islamic movement of Hamas strongly
denied the Israeli accusations that his group is actively developing its Qassam
rockets to reach a range of 12 kilometers. Israel said that Palestinian factions
are using the ceasefire to smuggle weapons and step-up construction of Qassam
rockets in the Gaza Strip.
Weekly
Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
03-09 July 2003
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
Despite the sharp decrease in violent clashes following the declaration of a 3-month
truce by Palestinian resistance organizations, Israeli occupying forces have continued
to conduct human rights violations against Palestinian civilians, including unlawful
killings, collective punishment, shelling of and incursions into Palestinian areas,
land leveling and arrests. This week, 3-9 July 2003, 2 Palestinian civilians
were killed and 5 others were wounded by Israeli occupying forces.
Israeli
Army increases its chokehold on Hebron's Old City
Electronic Intifada/Christian Peacemaker Teams, July 10, 2003
July 8, 2003 -- Since 1999, a spokesperson for the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee
told CPT, the number of Palestinian residents in the Old City has shrunk from
about 2,500 to 1,000. He added that, as a result of last week's Israeli military
order to cease all restoration work, some 400 workers have been laid off with
no likelihood of their getting back to work soon or for long.
UK
Urged to Arrest Sharon When He Arrives for Talks with Blair
Palestine Chronicle, July 10, 2003
LONDON - The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC) are urging the British government
to arrest Israeli leader Ariel Sharon for war crimes when he arrives in London
on Sunday for his first working visit to the UK.
Israeli
Reservist: "Israeli Forces poke Supreme Court's Decision of Using the Palestinians
as Human Shield fun"
International Press Center, July 10, 2003
NAZARETH, Palestine, July 10, 03 (IPC + WAFA)-- Solicitor Marwan Dalal, from "Adala"
center said that the presentation of statements and testimonies of Israeli soldiers
and human rights activists in front of the Israeli supreme court came to prove
that the Israeli forces didn't respect the conditions put before them to get the
court's permission of using Palestinian civilians as "human shields", especially
that Palestinians have been used as human shields and were killed after the release
of the verdict.
IOF
Offensive on Tulkarem During 2003, in Numbers
International Press Center, July 10, 2003
In a statistic made by the International Press Center (IPC) about the outcome
of the Israeli occupying forces' offensive on Tulkarem district, 33 Palestinian
citizens were killed by Israeli troops, in addition to more than 360 others
were wounded, since the beginning of the year 2003, most of which are women and
children.
Occupation
Chronicle Events in Palestine July 10, 2003
Palestine Media Center
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) detained four peace activists of the International
Solidarity Movement (ISM) in the West Bank. IOF also detained six Palestinians
in the southern West Bank city of Hebron. IOF Detain 3 Boys in West Bank.
Hear
Palestine July 10, 2003
Hear Palestine
NEWS: Nablus: Tightened Closure at Roadblocks; Truck Driver Arrested / Hebron:
Barbed Wire Fences Ibrahimi Mosque Surroundings / Bethlehem: Land Confiscation
in al-Khader; Tight Military Siege / Tulkarem: Israeli Military Confiscation Order
of 424 Dunums / Gaza Strip: Military Attack in Rafah; Electronic Gate in Deir
al-Balah / Jenin: All Roads Leading to City Completely Closed / Ramallah: Military
Roadblock Closes Southern Entrance to City FEATURES: Burqin:
When Children are Unable to Comprehend / Detained Child Deprived from Right to
Education / Vast Areas of Land Looted for 'Isolation Wall' / A Story from the
Heart of Israel's Secret Prison
Arafat
trying to undermine Dahlan's security powers
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
The power struggle within the Palestinian Authority leadership heated up yesterday,
with associates of Chairman Yasser Arafat demanding the powers of Security Minister
Mohammed Dahlan, who is Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas's protege, be limited.
Arafat
approves plan to overhaul Fatah
Jerusalem Post, July 10, 2003
Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat has endorsed a plan to overhaul the
Fatah movement in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials in Ramallah
disclosed Thursday. They said the changes are aimed at reorganizing Fatah and
replacing many of its veteran operatives.
US
steps off center stage as Mideast peace process stumbles
ProLog, July 9, 2003
JERUSALEM, July 9 (AFP) - After the high-profile efforts of President George W.
Bush and other top US officials to kickstart dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians,
Washington appears to be moving out of the limelight as the peace process encounters
new obstacles.
Erekat:
US must pressure Israel on Roadmap
Jerusalem Times, July 10, 2003
Saeb Erekat, a Legislator and former lead negotiator with Israel said last Sunday
that for the ceasefire to hold, the United States needed to pressurize Israel
to declare an end to violence against Palestinians. "This [ceasefire] is the most
significant development in the last 33 months. It will hold as long as we give
it the right support systems," Erekat said.
Ceasefire
to continue say factions
Jerusalem Times, July 10, 2003
Palestinian factions expressed continued support for the ceasefire announced 11-days
ago to a visiting Egyptian delegation, which helped broker the truce, on Wednesday.
The Egyptian delegation headed by General Mustafa al-Buheeri visited Gaza to meet
with Palestinian officials and factions' chiefs to shore up the truce and try
to convince Islamic factions to extend it to another 3 months, amid warnings from
militants that it would collapse unless Israel frees thousands of prisoners.
What
was behind Abbas' resignation?
Middle East Online, July 9, 2003
Prime minister Mahmud Abbas' offer to resign from Yasser Arafat's Fatah party
central committee has brought into the open splits within the Palestinian leadership
on how to approach peace talks with Israel, analysts said Wednesday.
Palestinians
Say the Truce Is in Jeopardy
New York Times, July 10, 2003
JERUSALEM, July 9 — Palestinians expressed growing frustration today over
the pace of talks with Israel, and what they see as Israel's unwillingness to
grant concessions, and warned that the current truce could be in jeopardy if progress
was not achieved soon on crucial issues like Palestinian prisoner releases and
Israeli troop withdrawals.
Hamas,
Islamic Jihad reject request to extend cease-fire
Jerusalem Post, July 10, 2003
The Hamas and the Islamic Jihad militant organizations Thursday rejected a request
by Egypt to extend the cease-fire on attacks against Israel, Israel Radio reported.
Following a meeting between the two sides in Gaza, representatives for the groups
announced that they would stand by their initial commitment to suspend attacks
for three months but not longer.
Hamas
wants all prisoners freed
Financial Times, July 9, 2003
The spiritual leader of the militant Palestinian Hamas group on Wednesday pledged
his commitment to the ceasefire in place since the end of last month, but demanded
that Israel release all Palestinian prisoners. Ahmed Yassin, speaking in his Gaza
home ahead of a meeting with an Egyptian envoy, said the prisoner issue was "a
red line" for Hamas.
Palestinian
Crisis May Delay Peace Talks
Citrus County Chronicle, July 10, 2003
JERUSALEM - Israel's defense minister expressed optimism about talks to resolve
an impasse over releasing Palestinian prisoners, but officials said a key meeting
might be postponed because of a crisis in the Palestinian leadership. Palestinian
Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas has been criticized by senior figures in Yasser Arafat's
Fatah movement for being too conciliatory toward Israel during the recent weeks'
fledgling peace efforts.
‘Everything
Depends on Prisoners’
Arab News, July 10, 2003
GAZA, 10 July 2003 — The main Palestinian militant group Hamas said yesterday
a cease-fire declared under intense international pressure to further a road map
to peace would unravel if Israel did not free thousands of prisoners.
Truce
ends if Hamas, Jihad prisoners not freed
Jerusalem Times, July 10, 2003
[PA] Minister of Prisoners' Affairs, Hisham Abdel Razak, and Minister of Justice
Abdul Kareem Abu Salah warned Israeli minister of Justice, Tommy Lapid, that the
peace process would be damaged if members of Islamic groups were not freed from
prison during their meeting on Monday.
U.S.,
Egyptians Meet With Palestinians, Israelis
Al-Hayat, July 10, 2003
U.S. and Egyptian mediators met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders Wednesday
amid an impasse over Palestinian prisoners held in Israel that is threatening
to torpedo the brittle, 11-day-old Mideast cease-fire.
US,
Egyptian mediators meet Palestinian, Israeli officials
Jordan Times, July 10, 2003
US AND Egyptian mediators met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders Wednesday amid
an impasse over Palestinian prisoners held in Israel that is threatening to torpedo
the brittle, 11-day-old Mideast ceasefire.
Abed
al Raheem: “Israeli Violations Complicate the Crisis”
International Press Center, July 10, 2003
GAZA, Palestine , July 10,2003, (IPC+Agencies)-- General Secretary of Palestinian
Presidency, Al Tayeb Abed Al Raheem said Tuesday in the aftermath of the Palestinian
security chiefs’ talks with the Egyptian delegation in Gaza, the Israeli
violations of Al Hudna potentially make matters worse.
‘Road
map’ runs into multiple obstacles
Daily Star, July 10, 2003
Violence returns as abbas threatens to quit -- American peacemaking efforts ran
into fresh obstacles Wednesday after Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas
threatened to resign, violence picked up anew and militant groups signaled growing
impatience with Israel’s inflexibility. An Egyptian security delegation
visited the Gaza Strip hoping to shore up the June 29 truce a mission marred
by a thinly veiled warning from Hamas that its suspension of attacks on Israel
would not last much longer if its demands were not met.
Egyptian,
US mediators Work Hard to Boost Palestinian – Israeli Truce
Palestine Media Center, July 10, 2003
July 10, 2003 - US and Egyptian mediators met with Palestinian and Israeli leaders
amid an impasse over Palestinian detainees held in the jails of the Israeli Occupation
Forces (IOF) that threatens to torpedo the fragile, 11-day-old cease-fire, to
which Palestinian leadership and factions reconfirmed their commitment to on Wednesday.
Arab
MKs Propose Closing Detainees' Case Once and for All
International Press Center, July 10, 2003
NAZARETH, Palestine, July 10, 2003 (IPC + WAFA)- - Arab Member of the Israeli
Knesset Dr. Ahmad Al Tibi presented a proposal to close the Palestinian detainees
and prisoners' file once and for all in the Middle East, by releasing all the
6,500 Arab and Palestinian detainees, as well the Israeli prisoners in Arab prisons,
whether dead or alive.
US
in Palestinian crisis talks
The Independent, July 10, 2003
America's Middle East envoy, John Wolf, met a senior Palestinian official yesterday
over a crisis in the Palestinian leadership that prompted Abu Mazen, the Prime
Minister, to threaten to quit. In Washington, an official said the government
would grant $20m (about £12.2m) to the Palestinian Authority, bypassing Yasser
Arafat. The aid was meant to bolster the Abu Mazen regime, the official said.
Security
Meeting In Doubt Amid Palestinian Leadership Crisis
Al-Hayat, July 10, 2003
The Israeli and Palestinian security chiefs were scheduled to meet in Jerusalem
Thursday to try to resolve an impasse over Palestinian prisoners held by Israel,
but officials said the meeting might be postponed because of a crisis in the Palestinian
leadership. Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas has come under fire from
senior figures in Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement for being too conciliatory toward
Israel during the recent weeks' fledgling peace efforts.
President
Arafat Speaks before Three Thousand Palestinian Children From the Summer Camps
International Press Center, July 10, 2003
RAMALLAH, Palestine, July 10, 2003 (IPC + WAFA)- - President Yasser Arafat stressed
that peace is the only strategic choice of the Palestinian people, and called
at the same time upon the international community to activate the role of the
Quartet committee to shoulder the responsibility of supervising and observing
the mechanism by which the “Road Map” is to be implemented.
Fatah
gunman says he hid in Muqata for a year
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
A senior Fatah activist believed to be involved in a series of attacks in which
Israelis were killed, reportedly told the Shin Bet he sheltered in the Ramallah
Muqata for a more than a year.
Solana's
man seen replacing Moratinos
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
The European Union's new special envoy to the Middle East is expected to be Marc
Otte, who was Belgium's ambassador to Israel from 1992-1996. Otte, who is considered
the candidate of EU foreign policy coordinator Javier Solana, would replace Miguel
Moratinos. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom heads today for Italy, which
currently holds the EU presidency, to kick off a "friendship campaign" with European
countries.
Analysis:
EU seeks role in Mid-East drama
UPI, July 10, 2003
BRUSSELS, July 10 (UPI) -- It is Israel's largest trading partner, the biggest
donor to the Palestinian Authority, the inventor of the "road map" to lasting
peace in the Middle East and has strong cultural and historical ties with all
the countries in the region. So why is the European Union seen as a bit part player
in the Israeli-Palestinian drama?
BBC
won't be invited to PM's media briefing in London
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
LONDON - Israel has decided not to invite a representative of the BBC to Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon's briefing for senior British correspondents during his
visit to the British capital next week. The briefing is due to take place after
Sharon's meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair, and all the senior editors and
reporters of the British media have been invited.
20
young settlers arrested during illegal outpost evacuation
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
Security forces arrested 20 settlers and removed a tent and a shed Thursday during
the evacuation of the Shalem outpost near the Elon Moreh settlement in the West
Bank. The settlers, most of them youths, are suspected of entering a closed military
zone without authorization in order to set up the outpost.
A-G
drops probe into Sharon's involvement in ILA decision
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein decided Thursday not to order a police investigation
into claims in the State Comptroller's report that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
attempted to influence a decision by the Israel Land Administration. According
to Eliezer Goldberg's report, which was published two months ago, Sharon knowingly
violated government rules on conflict of interest by ministers, when he moved
to sway a decision by the ILA that would have benefitted him and his sons, as
owners of large landholdings.
Netanyahu
meets in J'lem with single mother Vicki Knafo
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
Vicki Knafo, a single mother who walked to Jerusalem from her home in Mitzpeh
Ramon in the south of the country to protest the government's welfare cuts, met
with Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to discuss her opposition
to the cuts.
`Vicki
from Mitzpeh' walks into the nation's heart
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
Vicki Knafo's modest protest tent opposite the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem was
packed out to the flaps yesterday. Knafo, a single mother, arrived in Jerusalem
on Tuesday after walking from her home in Mitzpeh Ramon in the south of the country
to protest against the government's welfare cuts.
Sharon,
Netanyahu greet 330 North American new immigrants
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
Amid fanfare befitting a foreign dignitary, 330 new immigrants arrived in Israel
yesterday from the United States and Canada. Handed Israeli flags, balloons and
flowers as they walked off the plane, the newcomers were greeted as Israelis by
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Immigrant Absorption
Minister Tzipi Livni and other government officials.
Gorlovsky's
lawyer: Likud MK thought double voting was okay
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
Likud MK Michael Gorlovsky didn't think he was doing anything wrong when he voted
twice during a ballot on the Knesset economic austerity plan last month, his lawyer
said Thursday....The lawmaker thought that voting in place of fellow Likud MK
Gilad Erdan was acceptable because he saw more experienced Knesset members doing
the same thing, Army Radio quoted his lawyer as saying.
Trade,
services proceeds down 2.4% in January-April
Globes, July 10, 2003
The number of restricted bank customers rose 7.7% in January-June to 92,071. --
The decline in trade and services proceeds is continuing, despite the increase
in retail turnover at malls and retail chains in recent months....The sharpest
fall was in business services - 11.1%. The computer sector and liberal professions’
(lawyers, accountants, personnel, cleaning and security companies) proceeds both
fell by 9.6%.
Passage
from India
Globes, July 10, 2003
Tata group's Kishor Chaukar tells "Globes": Israel \will supply the technology,
India the personnel, and together we’ll conquer the world. -- After only
12 hours in Israel, Confederation of Indian Industry's Telecom Council chairman
and Tata Industries managing director Kishor A. Chaukar, one of the captains of
Indian industry, says he already feels at home. “Believe me, it’s
not the weather. It’s the people. They’re very warm, like the Indians,”
he explains.
Sri
Lankan defense minister visits Israel
Jerusalem Post, July 10, 2003
Sri Lankan Defense Minister Tilak Marapone left Thursday for an official visit
to Israel, which has been one of Sri Lanka's top military hardware suppliers....The
Sri Lankan government's 19-year civil war with the Tamil Tiger rebels killed nearly
65,000 people.
Arab
states grapple with freedom of association
Daily Star, July 10, 2003
Activists say governments stifle rights - Permission to form groups growing harder
to obtain, leading rights organizations to fret the further loss of people’s
voices -- BEIRUT: A debate over freedom of association is heating up in many Arab
countries, with activists charging that governments are curtailing the right to
form independent political parties or human rights groups.
Assad
calls for renewed peace talks with Israel
Daily Star, July 10, 2003
DAMASCUS: Syrian President Bashar Assad has called for renewed peace talks with
Israel on the basis of UN land-for-peace resolutions in talks with a top United
Nations official, the official SANA news agency said Wednesday. “We must
find a mechanism to relaunch talks” between Syria and Israel from where
they left off in January 2000, Assad was quoted as telling UN Middle East envoy
Terje Roed-Larsen late Tuesday.
Mauro
Vieira: Brazil supports Arab causes, for a viable Palestinian state
Arabic News, July 10, 2003
Ambassador Vieira continued that the message presents a project for a summit meeting
between American Presidents and Presidents of the Arab states, noting that this
is a new project, as it is for the first time such an idea born in that the two
regions are meeting to discuss South- South cooperation relations to develop cooperation
between them and exchanging experience and discuss items of international agenda
of concern to our countries.
Kuwait
Expects Royal Decree on Power Sharing
Arab News, July 10, 2003
KUWAIT CITY, 10 July 2003 — Kuwait’s emir is set to strip the ailing
crown prince of his post as prime minister to allow reforms in the country, politicians
said. For the first time in Kuwait’s history, the post of prime minister
would be separated from the role of heir to the throne....But with government
loyalists dominating the next Parliament after they trounced liberals in Saturday’s
general elections, few expect any considerable shift in power in the years to
come.
Man
challenging 'enemy combatant' status
USA Today, July 10, 2003
PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Attorneys for a Qatari man accused of aiding al-Qaeda
are challenging his designation as an enemy combatant. Bradley University graduate
Ali Saleh Kahlah Al-Marri, in federal custody since January 2002, was placed under
military control June 23 after President Bush said he was an al-Qaeda sleeper
agent.
Ashrawi
urges Arabs to agitate against authoritarian rule
MIFTAH, July 8, 2003
Arabs must agitate against a legacy of authoritarian rule and push for a just
Middle East peace that robs Arab governments of their excuse to deny democracy,
Palestinian MP Hanan Ashrawi said. In a speech to the 2003 graduating class of
the American University in Cairo, Ashrawi also attacked the United States, without
naming it, by denouncing its policy of pre-emptive strikes and unilateral military
actions.
Egypt
to get US air support
Middle East Newsline, July 10, 2003
WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United States will help Egypt in support of its air force
weaponry. The Bush administration has approved a project to help several of its
allies in the Middle East and other areas of the world with support for U.S. air
weaponry and equipment. The allies include Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Assad
cautiously steps towards economic reform in Syria
MENA Report, July 10, 2003
Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s gradual economic reform program has taken
on renewed vigor this week with the coming into force of several decrees, effectively
easing state control over the country’s stagnated economy.
Former
Jordanian intelligence chief convicted of fraud and embezzlement
Al-Bawaba, July 10, 2003
A Jordanian military court convicted the kingdom's former intelligence chief of
fraud and embezzlement Thursday, and sentenced him to eight years in prison. The
court also ordered Sameeh Batikhi, head of the General Intelligence Department
from 1996 to October 2000, to repay $24 million it said he reaped through a bank
scam.
500
Years After Moors Expelled, New Mosque Opens In Granada
Al-Hayat, July 10, 2003
An imam recited verses from the Koran Thursday as the former seat of Moorish rule
in Spain unveiled its first mosque in more than 500 years. Dignitaries from Arab
and Muslim countries as far away as Malaysia watched reverently as the Great Mosque
of Granada opened for prayer, crowning a fitful and emotionally charged project
that began in 1981.
Muslims
Should Seek Knowledge & Arms: Mahathir
Islam Online, July 10, 2003
KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) -Malaysian Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad urged Muslim countries on Thursday, July 10, to equip themselves
with modern knowledge and weapons to fight oppression by world powers and restore
their civilization to its former glory.
Congressional
panel discusses easing visa policy for Israelis
Haaretz, July 10, 2003
WASHINGTON - Leading congressmen on Thursday expressed bipartisan support for
Israel's bid for exemption from restrictive new requirements for obtaining an
entry visa to the United States. During a discussion on the new visa policy in
the House Government Reform Committee on Thursday, several committee members urged
the administration to stop requiring visas from Israelis altogether.
ISM
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