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Conflict..
Death zone puts family life in limbo
The Guardian 2003-07-30
Israeli security fence cuts Palestinians off from their village, school and relatives -- From her backyard Khadija Bdarat can point out the roof of her children's school a few hundred metres up the hill in the Palestinian village of Ras. The problem is how to get there. In the way stands Israel's "security fence", which runs across the back of the Bdarats' home, cutting it off from the village. When the motion detectors are switched on and the latest section of the fence is declared operational on Friday the house will fall inside a "closed military zone".
Israel's Wall Threatens to Wipe Palestinian Village off the Map
Financial Times 2003-07-29
"International aid donors said in a recent report that the route of the wall, which brings a number of Jewish settlements on to the Israeli side, will involve the loss of more than 10 per cent of West Bank land .." -- In the valley below the small Palestinian village of Nu'man, construction gangs were hard at work yesterday on a stretch of Israel's separation barrier that will soon strand its 200 inhabitants in no-man's-land.
Rightist MKs threaten Temple Mount trips after police ban
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
Right-wing Knesset members threatened to organize visits to the Temple Mount on Wednesday after police suspended visits by Jews and Christians to the holy site earlier in the day due to fear of Palestinian riots....Ratzon said that if the site is not reopened he will organize a daily rotation of MKs to visit the Temple Mount.
Israeli Troops Arrest Civilians in Nablus, Storm Jeyous, Open Fire in Khan Younis
International Press Center 2003-07-30
PALESTINE, July 30, 2003 (IPC+WAFA)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested Wednesday two Palestinian civilians in Nablus, stormed Jeyous town and opened fire in Khan Younis, WAFA reported. Unknown two Palestinian inhabitants were reportedly arrested by IOF in the Alquds street in the West Bank city of Nablus after a contingent of Israeli troops stormed the area earlier in the day, local Palestinian sources said....Meanwhile, scores of armored Israeli vehicles stormed Wednesday the Jeyous town, near Qalqilia city, under a barrage of heavy gun fire at local Palestinian property.
SIS Report: Israel Committed 21 Violations in the Fourth Week of the Ceasefire
International Press Center 2003-07-30
GAZA, Palestine, July 30, 2003 (IPC)-- A report prepared by the Palestinian National Information Center (PNIC), revealed that, during the period between July 21-27, 2003, Israel committed 21 violations during the ceasefire agreement "Al Hudna", declared by the Palestinian factions on June 30, 2003.
Zionist occupation tractors level second floor of Palestinian building
Palestinian Information Center 2003-07-30
Occupied Jerusalem - Zionist municipality tractors yesterday destroyed the second floor of a Palestinian building in Silwan village to the south of occupied Jerusalem. The tractors were escorted by large numbers of policemen and so-called border guards while leveling the second story of Mousa Ali Al-Salfeeti’s building.
Israeli special forces arrest four of Al-Ayyam newspaper employees
International Middle East Media Center 2003-07-30
Israeli forces arrested today afternoon four of the Palestinian Daily Newspaper Al-Ayyam employees in the west bank city of Ramallah. Israeli special force backed with a military force entered the industrial area in Ramallah, stopped the newspaper’s car and ordered the four employees to get out of the car and arrested them.
Arrested Palestinians admit to murder attempt
Jerusalem Post 2003-07-30
Three Palestinians affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, recently arrested by Shin Bet and IDF forces in Samaria, admitted to investigators that they had planned to kidnap and murder an Israeli member of the security forces deployed in the area.
Israel sentences Barghouti cousin to life in prison
Al-Bawaba 2003-07-30
An Israeli military court near the West Bank city of Ramallah, sentenced Ahmed Barghouti, a senior Palestinian activist, to 13 life sentences Wednesday, after convicting him of orchestrating attacks that killed 12 Israelis. Barghouti is a cousin and close associate of senior Fatah West Bank leader Marwan Barghouti, standing trial in Israel.
In pictures: Israel's security fence
BBC 2003-07-30
Photos -- The barrier - which Israel hopes will keep Palestinian militants out - already snakes for mile after mile in the West Bank.
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Diplomacy..
Sharon Tells Bush Israel Won't Halt Its Fence Project
New York Times 2003-07-30
WASHINGTON, July 29 — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel today rebuffed pressure from President Bush to halt construction of a security fence on the West Bank and called on Mr. Bush to persuade Palestinian leaders to do more to dismantle terrorist organizations. After meeting with Mr. Sharon at the White House, Mr. Bush said his commitment to Israel's security was "unshakable." Last week, the president called the fence a "problem" that could undermine efforts to build confidence between the sides; today he referred to it as a "sensitive issue" that he would continue to discuss with Mr. Sharon.
Palestinians Outraged By Israel Stance On Separation Wall
Islam Online 2003-07-30
GAZA CITY, July 30 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s adamancy to go ahead with the construction of the controversial separation wall, cutting through the West Bank, drew fire Wednesday, July 30, from Palestinian officials, groups and citizens....Palestinian Minister of State for Security Affairs Mohamed Dahlan stressed this "shows Israel is not thinking seriously about implementing the roadmap" backed by the United States and international community.
Powell: U.S. to keep pressing Israel on separation fence
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
WASHINGTON - The United States will keep pressing Israel on the controversial separation fence around the West Bank, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Wednesday. Meanwhile, U.S. President George W. Bush said Wednesday that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was committed to a peaceful Palestinian state, which could realistically be set up by 2005, the target date under the U.S.-backed road map to Middle East peace.
UN Official Urges 'Massive International Pressure' to End Israeli Occupation
Palestine Chronicle 2003-07-29
BERLIN - A senior United Nations official called Tuesday for 'massive international pressure' to force Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian-run territories. "It's a total absurd situation and that's why there should finally be international pressure on Israeli occupation authorities for their withdrawal and end to the occupation ...," UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food Jean Ziegler said in an interview with the German radio station Deutschlandfunk.
PA minister says Palestinians jailed in Israel could rebel
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
Palestinian prisoners could stage a rebellion in Israeli jails if Israel does not release them as part of peace moves, Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Minister Hisham Abd al-Raziq warned Wednesday. Al-Raziq also said ordinary Palestinians could revolt if Israel does not free thousands of prisoners, a gesture which Palestinians consider vital to pushing ahead with peace moves.
Families of Palestinian prisoners demand releases for peace with Israel
San Francisco Chronicle 2003-07-29
Rihab Suleiman cries outside her tiny grocery store on the West Bank as she recounts the humiliation of visiting her three sons in an Israeli jail. As she talks, Suleiman echoes a main Palestinian condition for progress on the U.S.-backed peace plan: "There will be no peace unless all the prisoners are released," she said. Israel holds, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, about 7,860 Palestinians -- most accused of direct or indirect involvement in terrorism.
Dahlan: PA won't confront militants if they keep to hudna
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
Palestinian Authority security chief Mohammed Dahlan said Wednesday that the PA will not confront or arrest Islamic militants so long as they maintain the cease-fire. The comments came ahead of a planned Wednesday evening meeting with Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, in which the Israelis and Palestinians were expected to discuss the transfer of two additional West Bank towns to the PA.
PNA Prevented 7 Terror Acts, but Israel Is not Reciprocating, Says Dahlan
Palestine Media Center 2003-07-30
The Palestine National Authority (PNA) Minister of State for Security Affairs Mohammad Dahlan said that the Palestinians were committed to a truce declared on June 29, but felt that Israel had not reciprocated, adding that his forces in the West Bank had prevented seven attacks against Israel in the last month.
Jihad warns it may 'reassess' truce over W. Bank fence
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
The militant Islamic Jihad, accusing the United States and Israel on Wednesday of trying to spark a Palestinian civil war by building the West Bank security fence, warned Wednesday that the issue may cause it to "reassess" the temporary truce on terror attacks against Israelis.
Abbas Meets Solana in France, to Visit Italy Next Month
Palestine Media Center 2003-07-30
Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmud Abbas, who has met EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in France on Tuesday, is expected to make a visit to Rome next month, which will be his first official visit to the European Union. Abbas will visit Rome on August 25 and 26, the Palestine National Authority (PNA) representative in Italy, Nemer Hammad, said on Tuesday.
Hariri, Blair discuss peace in Middle East
Daily Star 2003-07-30
Talks touch briefly on Hizbullah -- Premier Rafik Hariri said that Lebanon and Syria were unable to join the US-backed “road map” plan because it was tailor-made to solely suit the Palestinians. He added that Lebanon and Syria want an alternative peace program that can go hand in hand with the road map because the Palestinian people are facing a different situation then that of Lebanon. “If there really is a will to achieve peace in the Middle East, it should be comprehensive and complete and everybody should take part in it,” Hariri said.
Blair echoes Bush: Dismantle terror, then dismantle fence
Jerusalem Post 2003-07-30
British Prime Minister Blair has joined Israel and the United States in stating that the Palestinians must first dismantle the terror infrastructure before Israel dismantles its new security fence, which is still under construction.
Hariri: Substitute For Lebanon and Syria Is A Different Roadmap
Al-Hayat 2003-07-30
Al-Hayat - Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri reiterated his government's stance from the Roadmap, the plan that Washington presented to the Palestinian and Israeli parties in the aim of achieving peace in the Middle East. Hariri believes that the substitute for Lebanon and Syria is "a different program, parallel to the Palestinian Roadmap."
Arabs aim at Israeli nukes through IAEA
Jang Group 2003-07-30
BRUSSELS: In an unprecedented move, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has decided to include 'Israeli Nuclear Capabilities and Threats' as an agenda item for discussion in its next General Conference and Regular Session to be held in Vienna, soon. Ever escalating Israeli nuclear programme will be debated thread bare in the upcoming 47th Regular Session of the UN atomic body, IAEA. "Israeli nuclear programme has been included in the provisional Agenda of the IAEA General Conference drawn up by the IAEA Director General, on the request of Arab member states of the Agency, as forwarded by the Sultanate of Oman", an official source told The News.
Israel, PA discussing exile of wanted men to Jericho
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
Security sources have confirmed that Israel and the Palestinian Authority are discussing relocating Palestinians on Israel's wanted list to Jericho in exchange for an Israeli pledge not to arrest them. However, they have not yet reached an official agreement. Even without an agreement, dozens of wanted Palestinians have moved to Jericho over the last few weeks. The PA has told the suspects that it will not arrest them as long as they remain committed to the cease-fire, or hudna.
Fresh Mid-East peace talks due
BBC 2003-07-30
Israel and the Palestinians are expected to hold talks later on Wednesday to plan the next stage in the peace process, including the handover of West Bank towns to Palestinian control. The Israeli Defence Minister, Shaul Mofaz, is due to meet the head of Palestinian security, Mohammed Dahlan.
Sharon says barrier will stay despite Bush plea
The Guardian 2003-07-30
Ariel Sharon shrugged off President George Bush's request to halt construction on the security fence through the West Bank yesterday, vowing that the work would continue. Addressing journalists after his eighth White House meeting with the president in 30 months, the Israeli prime minister said the barrier "will continue to be built with every effort to minimise infringement on the daily life of the Palestinian population".
Mofaz, Dahlan meet to discuss Israeli pullout from two West Bank cities
Al-Bawaba 2003-07-30
Israel's Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz is to meet Wednesday with Palestinian Minister for State Security Mohammad Dahlan to discuss the handing over to the Palestinian Authority security responsibility for two additional Palestinian cities, Israel Radio reported. The two cities are presumed to be Jericho and Qalqilya. Meanwhile, Israeli security sources also confirmed Tuesday that Israel and the PA are discussing relocating Palestinians on the Israeli Army's wanted list to Jericho in exchange for an Israeli pledge not to arrest them.
Sharon insists on West Bank fence project
Financial Times 2003-07-29
Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, said on Tuesday that Israel would continue constructing a security fence across the West Bank in spite of US concerns that the project could damage peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. Mr Sharon said following a White House meeting with President George W. Bush that the wall would be built, but that he would make "every effort to minimise the infringement on the daily life of the Palestinian population".
Sharon Fenced In by Security Issue
Arab News 2003-07-30
GAZA CITY, 30 July 2003 — Palestinians condemned Ariel Sharon after the Israeli prime minister pledged to push on with a controversial security barrier across the West Bank after talks with President George W. Bush in Washington yesterday. The Palestinian Authority had been looking for a softening of the Israeli line on issues such as the barrier after their own Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas impressed Bush during his audience at the White House on Friday. But Palestinian Information Minister Nabil Amr told reporters: “He (Sharon) gave no single positive sign at all.”
Palestinians Deter Attacks, Official Says
New York Times 2003-07-30
GAZA, July 29 — The Palestinian Authority's security minister, Muhammad Dahlan, said tonight that his forces in the West Bank had prevented seven terror attacks against Israel in the last month, but did not arrest the would-be assailants because Israeli troops still control those areas. Speaking shortly after Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel met President Bush at the White House, Mr. Dahlan said that the Palestinians were committed to a truce declared a month ago, but felt that Israel had not reciprocated.
Arafat: We Look Forward to Implementing the Road Map Accurately
International Press Center 2003-07-30
RAMALLAH, Palestine, July 30, 2003 (IPC) - - President Arafat affirmed Tuesday that the accurate, absolute implementation of the Road Map peace plan is what the Palestinian people look forward to. "The accurate, absolute implementation of the US-backed Road Map peace plan is what we are looking forward to and not what the Israelis are trying to implement; 14 Israeli reservations concerning the Road Map were made as they actually want to change whole of it," President Arafat told reporters after receiving British State minister for international development affairs, Mr. Hillary Benn, accompanied by the British Consul General in Jerusalem, Dr. John Jenkins.
Ranteesi: Bush linked establishment of Palestinian state to civil war
Palestinian Information Center 2003-07-30
Gaza - Dr. Abdul Aziz Ranteesi, one of the prominent Hamas Movement leaders in the Gaza Strip, has charged American president George Bush of linking the establishment of a Palestinian state to igniting a Palestinian civil war. Ranteesi said that Bush’s position, declared during his meeting with Zionist premier Ariel Sharon, was a concrete proof of the president’s desire to absolve himself from promises he made before occupation of Iraq.
PNA Unsettled by Sharon – Bush Meeting
Palestine Media Center 2003-07-30
Israeli PM Raised Big Obstacles in Way of Roadmap: Nabil Amre -- The Palestine National Authority (PNA) condemned Israeli PM Ariel Sharon’s statements in Washington Tuesday as “disappointing” after the premier pledged to carry on with the building of the Apartheid Wall on occupied Palestinian territory, while the hosting US President Bush voiced “understanding” of his guest’s announcement.
Palestinians: Sharon not serious about roadmap
Middle East Online 2003-07-30
Palestinians accused Israel of lacking commitment to the peace roadmap by pushing ahead with the construction of a West Bank barrier, as the two sides prepared for talks Wednesday on Israeli withdrawals...."We refuse this wall, because it has no security purpose. This wall will only increase hatred between the Palestinian and Israeli sides because it is a racist, separation wall," Dahlan said.
Text of Bush and Sharon's joint press conference
Jerusalem Post 2003-07-30
Transcript: US President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon held a joint press conference at the White House on Tuesday.
Abbas: Sharon is the strongest Israeli PM
Jerusalem Post 2003-07-30
Ariel Sharon is the strongest Israeli prime minister, even greater than former premier David Ben-Gurion, Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas said. In an interview to the Al-Jazeera television station Wednesday, Abbas said that Sharon has the ability to implement a peace process if he wants to.
Palestinians blast Bush's softer tones on fence
Jerusalem Post 2003-07-30
Palestinian leaders struck back at the White House and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Wednesday, a day after US President George W. Bush but toned down his criticism of the security fence. The fence is "racist" and a symbol of the lack of coexistence between Israel and the Palestinians, Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas said in Amman, Jordan, Wednesday.
Bush, a Shaky Stand over Separation Wall
International Middle East Media Center 2003-07-30
With the American President George Bush standing on his side, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told reporters that Israel will continue to build the West Bank separation wall. Bush, who earlier called the wall “a problem”, called it this time a “sensitive” issue that both sides will continue to discuss....Hamas leader Dr. Rantisi said that Sharon’s declared intentions to continue with building the separation wall will reflect negatively on the efforts to sustain the truce.
Sharon: Arafat is interfering with peace
Jerusalem Post 2003-07-30
Real peace cannot be achieved as long as Yasser Arafat is in the West Bank city of Ramallah and controls the Palestinian security forces, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Wednesday. Sharon told NBC that Arafat was interfering with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas' efforts to implement the road map peace initiative.
Analysis: American Hesitation
International Middle East Media Center 2003-07-30
In less than a week the American Administration shifted stand on separation wall. President Bush with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas standing to his side called the separation wall “a problem”. His National Security Adviser Condoolizza Rice clearly pointed to the political future consequences of the wall and demanded an immediate freeze.
Dahlan, Mofaz To Meet On New Pullouts
Islam Online 2003-07-30
GAZA CITY, July 30 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Palestinian Minister of State for Security Affairs Mohammed Dahlan and Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz are expected to meet Wednesday, July 30, on transferring security control in two West Bank cities - possibly Ariha (Jericho) and Qalqilya - to the Palestinian Authority, Israeli sources said.
Sharon rejects Bush's call to take down 'security' fence
The Independent 2003-07-30
In a rebuff to President George Bush yesterday, Israel dug in its heels over the controversial security fence it is building in the occupied West Bank, saying construction of the barrier would continue because it was essential for the country's security. Speaking during his eighth visit to the White House since Mr Bush took office, Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister, reverted to the familiar tactic of laying the blame on the Palestinians for not moving more forcefully to crack down on terrorism.
PM: Outposts to go, but fence stays
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
Palestinians disappointed that Bush backs off on the `Mideast Wall' -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon yesterday told President George Bush that 22 "unauthorized" settler outposts have been removed so far and another dozen will go, a senior source in Sharon's Washington entourage said last night. As for new outposts established after the 22 were taken down, Sharon said they would also go. Briefing Israeli reporters after the White House meeting, the senior source said of Sharon's talks with Bush and other senior officials: "There can be disagreements among friends."
U.S. House majority leader: Palestinian cease-fire 'paper thin'
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
A truce by Palestinian militants is "paper thin" and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat must be further isolated if a new peace effort is to succeed, U.S House Majority Leader Tom DeLay told Israeli lawmakers Wednesday. DeLay, on a tour of the Middle East, repeated calls for Palestinians to disarm militant groups as required by the U.S.-backed road map plan for Middle East peace.
Analysis: Sharon beats Abbas in battle for Bush
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
The clear impression from the White House press conference held by George Bush and Ariel Sharon on Tuesday is that the U.S. president accepted the Israeli prime minister's argument that the primary issue is the dismantling of armed groups by the Palestinian Authority. In other words, Bush did not accept the argument put forward by Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud (Abu Mazen), at their meeting last Friday, that he cannot move against groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad, because this would precipitate a civil war.
Sharon and Bush fence over roadmap
BBC 2003-07-29
This was the eighth time that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had visited the Bush White House. But what made it significant was that it was the first since a Palestinian leader was welcomed to Washington. As he went into his meeting, Mr Sharon will have been all too aware that the visit of Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas last Friday has changed the dynamic in Washington.
Palestinian anger over fence
BBC 2003-07-30
Israel's insistence that it will continue to build the so-called security fence in the West Bank has angered Palestinian leaders. The Palestinian Authority said comments by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that the fence was needed for the safety of Israelis gave little hope to the peace process and contradicted the United States' vision of creating a viable Palestinian state.
Bush: Palestinian State Goal Is Realistic
New York Times 2003-07-30
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush said Wednesday that his goal of establishing a Palestinian state by 2005 is realistic and the United States must help Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and his chief of security root out terrorism. ``I think we're making pretty good progress in a short period of time,'' Bush said. ``I'm impressed by Prime Minister Abbas' vision of a peaceful Palestinian state. I believe him when he says that we must root out terror in order for a Palestinian state to exist.''
King Mohammed receives Israel's grand sepharad rabbi
Arabic News 2003-07-30
Morocco's King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, received in Tandgiers Tuesday Rabbi Ammar Chlomo, Grand Rabbi of Sepharad Jews.
Israeli, Palestinian Officials to Meet
The Guardian 2003-07-30
JERUSALEM (AP) - Prisoner releases, dismantling settlement outposts and Israeli withdrawal from two more Palestinian towns will be the focus of high-level negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders, after twin summits with President Bush, officials said Wednesday. Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz was expected to propose to his Palestinian counterpart Mohammed Dahlan in talks Wednesday that Israel hand over the relatively quiet West Bank towns of Jericho and Qalqiliya.
Israel urges Romania to face role in Holocaust
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
BUCHAREST - Israel on Wednesday urged Romania, an ally of Nazi Germany in World War Two, to face up to its role in the Holocaust, when half of its Jewish population was killed. The call was the latest step in a diplomatic row triggered by a remark by the Balkan country's ex-communist President Ion Iliescu in an Israeli daily earlier this week that the Holocaust was not unique to Jews.
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Government..
Israel halts holy site visits
BBC 2003-07-30
Israeli police have suspended visits by non-Muslims to Jerusalem's Temple Mount, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif - the Noble Sanctuary. The controversial visits to the site resumed several weeks ago, despite Palestinian protests, but have been halted amid rising anger and fears of violence, reports said. A police spokeswoman told AFP: "We have decided for operational reasons to forbid for the moment these visits."
Likud won't impose party discipline in vote on PA deal
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has agreed to allow Likud Knesset members to vote their conscience if and when an agreement with the Palestinian Authority is brought before the Knesset for approval, Coalition Chairman MK Gideon Sa'ar told parliamentary correspondents on Tuesday. At a press conference to mark the end of the Knesset's summer session, Sa'ar noted: "On issues that are so critical and irreversible, faction discipline cannot be enforced, and everyone should be allowed to vote their conscience."
Knesset panel to re-vote on bill to deny Palestinians citizenship
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin decided Wednesday evening to arrange a re-vote in the Knesset Interior and Environment Committee on the wording of the bill that would prevent Palestinians who marry Israeli citizens from getting citizenship or permanent-residency status. MK Roman Bronfman (Meretz) asked Rivlin to conduct a re-vote after the committee approved 8-0 the second reading of the bill earlier Wednesday in the absence of bill opponents, who boycotted the vote.
Fatah forces Arafat to dump Jenin governor Irsheid
Jerusalem Post 2003-07-30
Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat has decided to appoint Ramadan Bata as the new governor for the Jenin district, a senior PA official said Tuesday. Bata, a former assistant to the governor of the Jenin district, will replace Haider Irsheid, the current governor who was abducted and beaten recently by Fatah gunmen.
Zionist minister demands capital punishment against 1948 Arabs
Palestinian Information Center 2003-07-30
Occupied Jerusalem - Yisrael Katz, Likud minister in the Zionist coalition government, yesterday said that he would table a draft law with the cabinet stipulating passing capital punishment against 1948 Arabs involved in killing Jews. Katz said that the punishment was based on the argument that those Arabs were thus supporting hostile countries or organizations.
New Zionist law banning financing of “terrorist” organizations
Palestinian Information Center 2003-07-30
Occupied Jerusalem - The Zionist parliament has passed with a sweeping majority the first reading of a draft law banning the financing of so-called “terrorism”. The draft law is a new addition to the series of racist mass punishments such as demolition of houses and displacement of their inhabitants adopted by the Zionist entity to quell the Palestinian resistance.
State Comptroller: nepotism rife in El Al, Electric Corp.
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
The annual State Comptroller's report, which was released Wednesday, found that nepotism was rife in Israel Electric Corporation and El Al airlines, that schools have neglected to maintain sufficient security and that the sewage system is causing severe damage to groundwater reserves.
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Human
Rights..
ISM: Calls To Action: Qalqiliya Thursday, Tulkarem Friday, Brit denied entry
International Solidarity Movement 2003-07-30
BREAKING THROUGH THE WALL: Palestinian, Israeli, International Groups to Rally in Qalqilya, Demand End to Separation Wall / DEIR AL GHASOON FIGHTS BACK: The farmers and workers of Deir al Ghassoon near the city of Tulkarem will break through the fence that has blocked them from their land, will attempt once more to gain access to that which the Israeli government has promised them: their livliehood. / British school teacher treated like terrorist: Yesterday morning, July 29th, David Watson, a 35 year-old high school teacher and humanitarian aid worker from East London, was turned away at Ben Gurion airport.
Abdel Razeq Demands Immediate Release of Child Prisoners as DCI Reports Israeli Abuse
International Press Center 2003-07-30
PALESTINE, July 30, 2003 (IPC+ Agencies)- - Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Minister, Hisham Abdel Razeq, demanded Israel Tuesday to immediately release 361 Palestinian children being held in its detention centers and jails. "Israeli occupation authorities are subjecting minor prisoners to inhuman and cruel treatment, so, children detained in Israeli jails should be a priority among those prisoners to be released by Israel," Abdel Razeq said in a statement.
Lebanese lawyer attacks new Belgian law that could throw out Sabra and Shatila claim against Sharon
Al-Bawaba 2003-07-30
The lawsuit filed by some Palestinian survivors of Sabra and Shatila massacres against the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon now faces a vague fate after the Belgian parliament passed a law canceling the “International Specialty Law”. Shibli al Mallat, a Lebanese lawyer, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the survivors, condemned the move labeling it as “another result of Israeli pressure”.
Revised Belgium War Crimes Law Criticized
The Guardian 2003-07-30
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - Opposition politicians Wednesday attacked a revised war crimes law making its way through Parliament, saying it might not resolve all pending cases, including those against top U.S. officials....The new proposal limits jurisdiction to cases involving Belgian citizens or residents of at least three years - at the time of the alleged crime - as victims or suspects. It also ensures full diplomatic immunity for world leaders and other government officials visiting Belgium.
Adalah Petitions Supreme Court Demanding that Education Ministry Appoint Counselors for Arab Bedouin Students in the Naqab Who Drop-Out of School
Adalah 2003-07-29
On 22 July 2003, Adalah submitted a petition to the Supreme Court of Israel concerning the failure of the Ministry of Education (MOE) to appoint counselors for Arab Bedouin students in the Naqab (Negev) who are at-risk of dropping-out of school. The seven Arab Bedouin towns in the Naqab - Rahat, Lagiyya, Kessife, Tel el-Sebe, Hura, 'Arora, and Segev Shalom - have the highest drop-out rates in the country and the least number of counselor positions to address problems of students at-risk of dropping out.
Peter Hansan: UNRWA’s Deficit Undermines Palestinian Emergency Aid Programs
International Press Center 2003-07-30
GAZA, Palestine, July 30, 2003 (IPC+ Agencies)-- United Nations Commissioner General for Palestine Refugees , Peter Hansan, stated Wednesday that the United Nations Relief and Working Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA, is facing a financial deficit, that would undermine its emergency aid programs being provided for the Palestinian refugees over the past 33 months.
Israeli MK: Palestinian Detainees Should Be Treated on Human Basis
International Press Center 2003-07-30
NAZERATH, July 29, 2003 (IPC+WAFA)--In his visits paid to a number of Israeli prisons this week , where thousands of Palestinians are being detained, Arab-Israeli advocate and member of Knesset MK, Abdel Malek Dahamsha, said he observed harsh detention conditions imposed by Israel on Palestinian prisoners.
ISM: David Watson update
International Solidarity Movement 2003-07-30
David Watson, the British schoolteacher being held by Israeli authorities, will be given a hearing on Thursday, July 31st, at 12:00.
New English Language Publication October 2000 - Law and Politics before the Or Commission of Inquiry
Adalah 2003-07-30
Adalah announces the publication of a new English-language report, "October 2000 - Law and Politics before the Or Commission of Inquiry." Written by Adalah Attorney Marwan Dalal, the report presents the key issues raised in the concluding arguments submitted by Adalah to the official Commission of Inquiry into the October 2000 protest demonstrations on 5 December 2002....The publication discusses the main reasons for the October 2000 protest demonstrations in Israel, which resulted in the killing of 13 unarmed Palestinian citizens of the state and the injury of hundreds of others by the police.
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Economy..
World Bank grants $12.5 million to West Bank Emergency Water Project
MENA Report 2003-07-30
The World Bank (WB) has approved a grant of $12.5 million for an Emergency Water Project. The project is part of a broader $75 million program, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the French Development Agency (AFD). The main benefit of the program is enhanced water supplies to an estimated 400,000 people in the Hebron Governorate including 90,000 people in Western Hebron villages. A survey of 25 villages in the West Bank estimates that Palestinian households now spend as much as a third of their family income on water, adding further financial hardship on the Palestinian populace.
Ugly schism splits single moms' movement
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
`Southerners,' led by Vicki Knafo, and `Jerusalemites' battle over protest styles -- The single mothers' protest against welfare cuts took an ugly turn late on Monday. There is suddenly talk of the protesters dividing into two camps, they even have names - the Southerners and the Jerusalemites, who also have the alternative name of the Panthers Strike Back.
Israeli companies invested $2.5b in Canada in 3 years
Globes 2003-07-30
Israel-Canada Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Israeli private investors recently bought over 2,000 housing units in Canada. -- Israeli companies have invested $2.5 billion in Canada over the past three years, Israel-Canada Chamber of Commerce & Industry president Yehuda Raveh said on his return from a tour of Canada. Since Canada and Israel signed a free trade agreement six years ago, the volume of trade between the two countries has quadrupled, exceeding $1 billion for the first time.
Leiderman: Wave of foreign shekel asset investments stalling
Globes 2003-07-30
Bank Hapoalim chief economist Prof. Leonardo Leiderman said the gap between yields in Israel and the US was shrinking, and predicted a shekel depreciation in the second half of 2003.
Korea-Israel R&D support fund extended for 3 years
Globes 2003-07-30
An agreement has been signed to extend the KORIL-RDF support fund for Israeli-Korean industrial R&D cooperation by a further three years. Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor Eli Opper and South Korean Ministry of Commerce Industry, and Energy vice Minister Kim Chil-doo signed the agreement in Seoul.
Israel pays to join U.S. fighter plane project
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
Israel has paid the United States $20 million to be involved in the design and production of a next-generation fighter plane, the Joint Strike Fighter (JFS). The outgoing head of the Defense Ministry's delegation in New York, Haim Adar, signed a letter of agreement to this effect on Friday.
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People..
IFJ nominates three journalists from Palestine for the 2003 Natali Prize
Electronic Intifada 2003-07-29
The International Federation of Journalists today announced the nomination of Palestinian journalists Walid Batrawi and Atef Saad, together with Jennifer Peterson, for the 2003 Natali Prize, a prestigous award in human rights reporting. Together with 14 world class journalists, they are in line for five 10,000 awards in this year's Natali Prize for Journalism: Excellence in Reporting Human Rights, Democracy and Development.
Review: James Longley's "Gaza Strip" (2002)
Electronic Intifada 2003-07-29
By Nigel Parry -- "Almost everyone in the Gaza Strip had a story and, if you were patient, they would probably tell it to you." -- James Longley James Longley's Gaza Strip is a 74-minute documentary filmed between January and April 2001, a period that stretches from four months after the beginning of the Second Palestinian Intifada -- immediately preceding the election of Ariel Sharon as Israel's prime minister -- up to the end of Sharon's third month in office.
Arafat Most Popular, Abu Mazen gaining confidence
International Middle East Media Center 2003-07-30
Results of the Latest Public Opinion Poll -- Center for Opinion Polls and Survey Studies at An-Najah National University, Nablus published the findings of its public opinion poll. Following are the most significant results. The full statistics are attached with the following analysis.
Gaza soccer returns as fighting subsides
Washington Times 2003-07-30
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — It has been more than three decades since any grass has sprouted on Gaza City's Yarmouk soccer field. But playing in the sandlot became appreciably sweeter last week as the first round of the monthlong Gaza soccer tournament got under way there. After Israel's reopening of Gaza Strip roads this month, local residents are relaxing for the first time in years.
Only 9,200 immigrants in first half of year - down 39%
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
Just 9,200 immigrants arrived in Israel in the first half of 2003, a drop of 39 percent as compared to the same period the previous year. Figures released yesterday by the Central Bureau of Statistics reveal that immigration fell to its lowest point in years in the January-June period. In the first half of 2002, also a bad year for immigration, 14,900 immigrants came to Israel, and in the first half of 2001, the number was 20,500.
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International..
Restrictions on defense sales to Israel deals hard blow to UK exporters
Al-Bawaba 2003-07-30
Defense industry exporters in the UK have reported significant losses due to a government policy to restrict the sale of military equipment to Israel. British defense exports to the Jewish state dropped from 22 million British pounds ($35.7 million) to £10 million over the past year, reported Guardian.
Jewish group urges US administration to ban Hizbullah Al-Manar TV station
Al-Bawaba 2003-07-30
"The Jewish Anti-Defamation League" (ADL) has called on the United States to add Hizbullah’s Al-Manar TV station to its list of global "terrorist" groups. The action would bar all business deals with the station by American advertisers. Al-Manar has been broadcasting from Lebanon since 1997.
Defence sales 'hit by curbs on Israel'
The Guardian 2003-07-29
Defence exporters have told the government they are losing important contracts because of a deliberate policy by ministers to restrict the sale of military equipment to Israel. Internal Whitehall documents reveal the frustrations of companies which are unhappy about delays in obtaining official licences to export arms to the troubled country.
Jewish group urges UN bodies to condemn Hamas
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
GENEVA - An international organization of liberal Jews urged United Nations bodies on Tuesday to condemn the Palestinian militant group Hamas for preaching what it called genocide against Jews and the destruction of Israel.
Lebanon detains Canadian priest over Israel ties
Ha'aretz 2003-07-30
BEIRUT - Lebanese authorities have detained a Canadian priest accused of collaborating with Israel while on Lebanese territory, judicial sources said on Wednesday. They said the 52-year-old man was detained on his arrival at Beirut airport this month, after being charged in absentia by a military court earlier this year. They gave no more details.
Kingdom, UN Body to Discuss Progress on WTO Accession
Arab News 2003-07-30
RIYADH, 30 July 2003 — Senior officials of the Kingdom and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will meet next Tuesday to review Saudi Arabia’s progress toward joining the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Saudi Arabia: Preventing a reform journalist from writing
Arabic News 2003-07-30
The Saudi Arabian journalist who supports reforms in Saudi Arabia, Hussein Shabakshi, yesterday announced that the Saudi government preventing him from writing. In a telephone interview, Shabakshi said he had received a notification form the Saudi daily Okaz several days ago stating that that the ministry of information informed him that he can not any longer write for the paper.
Syria: banning al-Doumari circulation, one hour after permission
Arabic News 2003-07-30
Each of the Syrian cynical weekly al- Doumari editorial team and the "human rights society in Syria" have criticized preventing of the weekly from circulation, just one hour after the authorities had permitted that. In a statement issued in Damascus yesterday after the "Arab establishment for prints distributions" was handed over at 9 p.m. Monday one thousand copies of al-Doumari and having received the permission of circulation of the same issue at the same time, verbal instructions were issued to halt the issue just one hour later at 10 p.m. Monday.
After four months of suspension and weeks of resuming trade, Syrian train transport commodities to Iraq, today
Arabic News 2003-07-30
Iraq and Syria resume today the railway trips to transport commodities between the two states, following a five month suspension, amid reports on the flow of the Syrian commodities to Iraq with an implicit American consent.
US finances wheat sale to Jordan
MENA Report 2003-07-30
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) signed an agreement with the Jordanian government to provide the Kingdom with 135,700 metric tons of wheat, which will then be sold with revenues directed to humanitarian and agricultural purposes in Jordan. The US government provided $20 million for the sale of the wheat to Jordan.
PFAW Joins Senator Wyden in Unveiling Bill To Monitor Government Use of Personal Information
Common Dreams/People For the American Way 2003-07-29
WASHINGTON - July 29 - People For the American Way President Ralph G. Neas joined Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and other leaders from a broad coalition of civil liberties and privacy organizations to support new legislation Wyden has authored to strengthen legal protections for personal information against government abuse.
New Top General Tells Legislators U.S. Will Probably Need a Larger Army
New York Times 2003-07-30
WASHINGTON, July 29 — The former Special Operations commander called from retirement to be Army chief of staff said today that the Army is likely to need more troops to meet its worldwide commitments....Currently, 16 of the Army's 33 active duty combat brigades are committed to Iraq.
US Nobel Laureate Slams Bush Government as 'Worst' in American History
Palestine Chronicle 2003-07-29
BERLIN - American Nobel Prize laureate for Economics George A. Akerlof lashed out at the government of US President George W. Bush, calling it the "worst ever" in American history, the online site of the weekly Der Spiegel magazine reported Tuesday. "I think this is the worst government the US has ever had in its more than 200 years of history. It has engaged in extraordinarily irresponsible policies not only in foreign policy and economics but also in social and environmental policy," said the 2001 Nobel Prize laureate who teaches economics at the University of California in Berkeley. "This is not normal government policy. Now is the time for (American) people to engage in civil disobedience.”
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