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Palestine Diaries

courtesy The Electronic Intifada

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Map of Israel's planned "security fence", adapted for clarity from Gush Shalom map. Gush Shalom notes: The Israeli government did not publish full, official maps of the wall. The path of the Eastern wall was compiled by the Land Research Center and the Palestinian Hydrology Group, based on expropriation orders issued to Palestinian land owners.

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Video Archives
Audio Archives

VIDEO
BBC:
Gap Between CIA
And Bush Stories
posted 10/9/02

VIDEO
BBC:
Region As
Unsettled As It's
Ever Been
10/9/02

VIDEO
BBC:
"No compromise
here"
posted 10/8/02

VIDEO
BBC:
Another Gaza
Attack
posted 10/6/02

VIDEO
BBC:
PA's Erekat: We
Need International
Protection Now
posted 10/6/02

VIDEO
BBC:
Khalil Shikaki, CPR:
'Chances slim for
negotiation'
posted 9/28/02

PHOTOS
Islam Online:
Arafat HQ
Destroyed
posted 9/25/02

PHOTOS
Islam Online:
Nine Palestinians Killed In Gaza
posted 9/24/02

VIDEO
Konscious:
Metal of Dishonor
The Face of US
War on Iraq
posted 9/18/02

VIDEO
BBC:
Sabra & Shatila
Is Sharon A
War Criminal?
posted 9/13/02

VIDEO
CBC:
Israeli
Army Was
Embarrassed
By Release
of Video
released 3/18/02
posted 9/6/02

Video Archives

Conflict..

Israel attacks Hizbullah after fatal shelling The Guardian 8/11/2003 Israeli aircraft attacked suspected Hizbullah positions in southern Lebanon yesterday, hours after shells fired by guerrillas hit northern Israel and killed a teenage boy and injured five people. Lebanese security officials said warplanes had fired at least one air-to surface missile on an area near the village of Teir Harfa, about two miles from the Lebanese-Israeli border. There was no immediate word on casualties. Curfew imposed on Hebron for first time since hudna declared Ha'aretz 8/10/2003 The Israel Defense Forces placed a closure on Palestinian areas in Hebron for first time since militant groups declared a cease-fire, Army Radio reported Sunday. Meanwhile, the heightened state of alert that had been in effect for several hours in theSharon area was lowered Sunday afternoon. Specific reasons for lowering the alert, which was declared due to fears of aterrorist infiltration, were not given. Palestinians warn of violence after Hebron Uni. kept shut Ha'aretz 8/11/2003 The West Bank city of Hebron remained under a tight closure Monday with military sources saying that the IDF imposed Sunday's closure following warnings of a possible terror attack on settlers in the divided city. Palestinians meanwhile warned that clashes could possibly erupt over the continued closure of the city's university. The IDF on Sunday extended by another month theclosure order on the university, which has not opened for the last six months. Israel Launches Mock Raids On Beirut, Threatens Syria Islam Online 8/11/2003 BEIRUT, August 11 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Israeli jets buzzed Beirut early Monday, August 11, after an air raid on southern Lebanon as the Israeli deputy defense minister Zeev Baum threatened that Syrian posts might be targeted if Hizbullah resistance group has not been deterred. Low-flying jets shook residents awake shortly after 1:00 am (2200 GMT) with loud bangs in a mock raid following threats of "retaliatory options" by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon after meeting with his army chiefs late Sunday, August 10, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported. Israeli Troops Tighten the Siege around Nablus Area International Middle East Media Center 8/11/2003 Israeli troops tightened the closure around the West Bank Palestinian City of Nablus by closing several military check posts and preventing city residents’ access. Huwwara military check post south of Nablus city was closed from Sunday early morning hours until 02:00 P.M. no one was allowed in or out including ambulances. Land Defense: Separation Wall Takes Over 49% of Hebron Land International Middle East Media Center 8/11/2003 A report prepared by the Hebron Land Defence Committees expert Abed Elhadi Hantash shows that the planned section of the separation wall south of West bank will deprive Hebron county from 49% of its land and leaves more than 60,000 residents west of the Wall. Hantash said that the separation wall plan in Hebron area reveals the political aims behind the construction of the wall, which is to push the green line further deep into Palestinian territories and evacuate more Palestinian villages and towns. Arab-Israeli Sources: In a Racist Move, Israel Demolishes Several Arab Houses in Naqab International Press Center 8/11/2003 NAQAB, August 11, 2003 (IPC+ Agencies)-- Israeli bulldozers demolished Monday thirteen Palestinian-Arab houses in the Israeli area of Naqab under the pretext of demolition without permission, WAFA reported. 250 Israeli soldiers, backed with military vehicles and bulldozers, broke into the Abu Alnadi and Abu Sbait neighborhoods in the Israeli city of Naqab and started demolishing houses owned by the Al-Atrash Arab family. Occupation authorities renew closure of two Palestinian universities Palestinian Information Center 8/11/2003 Al-Khalil - The Zionist occupation authorities have renewed closure of Al-Khalil University and polytechnic-Palestine for the fourth consecutive time ending 11th September 2003. The Zionist military order was conveyed to rectors of both universities Dr. Khalqi Khanfer and Dr. Daoud Za’tari respectively. Hizbullah vows to make Israel pay Daily Star 8/11/2003 Resistance ‘capable of replying’ to sovereignty violations - Commander in South says Saleh killing marks start of new phase, during which Jewish state will be held responsible for what happened -- Hizbullah’s commander of the South, Sheikh Nabil Qaouq, said on Sunday that the resistance organization was willing and able to respond to Israeli violations and provocations and to prevent Israeli warplanes from continuing to breach Lebanon’s national sovereignty. A Jewish Group Secretly Settles 60 Jewish Immigrants International Press Center 8/9/2003 GAZA, August 9, 2003, IPC-- A Jewish group settled secretly 60 new Jewish French immigrants three days ago in a number of illegitimate Jewish settlements in the West Bank, Yediot Ahronot Israeli Daily reported. Yediot Ahronot published that settlers of “Awfra” Jewish settlement were asked to gather in the settlement’s yard at around 2 o’clock a.m to welcome new immigrants to be settled in their settlement.  Police launch internal probe into violence at Druze protest Ha'aretz 8/11/2003 An internal police investigation was launched Monday into the violent clashes between police and Druze protestors in Jerusalem on Sunday. The probe will focus on the complaints filed by protestors regarding excess violence on the part of the policeofficers. The protest outside the prime minister's office against the plan to unify local Druze municipalities left 12 demonstrators and 14 police officers wounded when violent clashes erupted. Sharon Signs For NIS 150 Million More, For Settler’s By-Pass Roads International Middle East Media Center 8/11/2003 Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon approved a budget of NIS 150 Million to build three new roads that connect settlements in the West Bank together. Video: "Israeli officials are making it clear who they believe is to blame" BBC 8/11/2003 The BBC's James Rodgers on the conflict along the blue line Fence gets first Palestinian 'Day of Rage' Jerusalem Post 8/11/2003 In the context of their campaign against the ongoing construction of the security fence in the West Bank, the Palestinians have declared this coming Friday as a day of "rage" to be marked with protests and rallies. Days of rage in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are usually marked with clashes between Palestinians and the IDF. Over the past two and a half years, the Palestinians have declared days of "rage" to protest against Israel's military operations and visits by Jews to the Temple Mount. Background / `Senseless' attack makes sense Ha'aretz 8/10/2003 A few weeks ago the head of Hezbollah's political committee appeared in Ba'al Bek and explained one of its operative principles: "The political circumstances dictate the reaction. Today they are not suitable, but it's possible that in a two days or two months or more they will be suitable." What caused Hezbollah decide now the circumstances were right, and not two days or a week ago?"The lack of method is the method, because the intention is to create constant tension in Israel and sensitivity to Israeli military actions against Lebanon," sources in Lebanon say. Lahoud Calls Israeli Intrusions Into Lebanese Skies "Air Terrorism" Al-Hayat 8/11/2003 Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said on Monday Israeli intrusions into Lebanese skies were to blame for a border spat with Hezbollah that killed an Israeli teenager, calling the overflights "air terrorism." Israel responded to the death from cross-border Hezbollah anti-aircraft fire by blasting the outskirts of several south Lebanon villages on Sunday. The killing of the 16-year-old was the first fatality in Israel by Hezbollah fire since Israel withdrew from south Lebanon in 2000 after a 22-year occupation. Israel threatens Syria after escalation of violence with Hezbollah Al-Bawaba 8/11/2003 Israel has warned Syria through the United States and United Nations that should attacks on northern parts of its country continue, it will respond by striking at Syrian targets in Lebanon, Israel Radio reported on Monday. The warning follows the escalation of violence along the border over the weekend, with an Israeli teenaged settler being killed and four others injured by Hezbollah fire on the town of Shlomi on Sunday. Israeli Settler threatens to kill Prime Minister Al-Bawaba 8/11/2003 Jerusalem Police arrested a young Jewish settler from Hebron on Sunday on suspicion of threatening to kill Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The 22-year old man was arrested while participating in a demonstration outside the Prime Minister's Jerusalem residence, Israel Radio reported. IDF reinforcing artillery units along northern border with Lebanon Ha'aretz 8/11/2003 The IDF Northern Command on Monday morning began reinforcing its artillery units along the Israel-Lebanon border, granting the military a greater range of fire into Lebanese territory. This is the first reinforcement of artillery in the north since a confrontation with Hezbollah in April 2002. Following the death of a teenager in Hezbollah shelling on the northern town of Shlomion Sunday, Israel announced that it intended to refrain from a harsh response to attacks by the group, in order to prevent unnecessary escalation of tensions on the northern border. Israel attacks Hezbollah firing position following death of settler Al-Bawaba 8/10/2003 One Israeli settler was killed and four others lightly injured by Hezbollah fire along the northern border Sunday, in the town of Shlomi. All of the wounded were taken to a hospital in Nahariya for medical treatment. In reaction, Israel Air Force helicopters later attacked a Hezbollah anti-aircraft machine-gun position in southwest Lebanon, from which the shells were reportedly fired. Hamas: Alqassam Brigades Will Avenge Nablus Attack International Middle East Media Center 8/10/2003 Hamas leadership warned Israel that even when the movement is still committed to the truce, its military wing will react to Israeli army attacks. The Palestinian Authority calls on the International community to intervene to prevent further Israeli escalations. Hamas Prominent Leader Abdel Aziz Rantisis said Saturday “We are still committed to the truce but we will react against the Zionists enemy crimes. Hamas Military wing has decided to react against the Nablus crimes”. Israeli Air Force Attacks South Lebanon, Breaks Sound Barrier over Beirut International Middle East Media Center 8/11/2003 Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon held Sunday night consultations with Senior Israeli Army officers in Jerusalem over the military escalation along the Israeli borders with Lebanon. Residents of the Israeli city of Shalomi spent their Sunday night inside their bomb shelters for the first time since Israel withdrew its troops from Lebanon in May 2000. Israeli teenager killed by Hizbollah fire Financial Times 8/10/2003 Shells fired from Lebanon by Hizbollah guerrillas on Sunday killed an Israeli and wounded four in the latest incident to fuel tension on the frontier. Israeli warplanes responded by attacking the outskirts of a border village in south Lebanon, according to Hizbollah's television station. Hizbollah anti-aircraft guns regularly open fire against Israeli fighter aircraft that violate Lebanese airspace, although none has ever been hit. Israeli officials say the Lebanese guerrillas deliberately aim their fire into Israeli territory. Israelis hit back at Lebanon BBC 8/11/2003 Israeli aircraft have been in action over Lebanon, after a 16-year-old boy was killed in northern Israel by shellfire blamed on Hezbollah guerrillas. Lebanese police said the first raid, on Sunday evening, targeted a position near the village of Tayr Harfa.Early on Monday, Israeli warplanes flew low over the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Hezbollah Draws Israel Into Renewed Battles Arab News 8/11/2003 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, 11 August 2003 — An Israeli was killed and five were hurt yesterday in what Israel claimed was the second border attack in three days by Hezbollah. The Lebanese group said it fired anti-aircraft guns at Israeli planes violating Lebanese airspace. Israeli warplanes raided south Lebanon in response. The incidents came as Israel was already stepping up pressure on Syria and Lebanon to end their support for Hezbollah, and was considering seeking a special meeting of the UN Security Council. Hebron settler arrested for threatening to murder Sharon Ha'aretz 8/11/2003 A Hebron settler was arrested late Sunday outside the Jerusalem residence of Prime Minster Ariel Sharon. The 22-year-old and a friend were posting announcements inviting the public to an event in Hebron on a wall near Sharon's official residence when they were approached by Sharon's security guards. The guards asked the two what they were doing. The suspect told the guards that "the prime minister killed my friend and my neighbor. It's no problem at all for me to kill him," and then fled the scene. The guards pursued him and managed to capture him and he was taken into police custody. Israel hits back after shells kill youth The Independent 8/11/2003 Israel yesterday warned Hizbollah that it was "playing with fire" after anti-aircraft shells killed a 16-year-old youth and wounded four other civilians in the Western Galilee town of Shlomi. Air force helicopters hit back at the position from which the shells were fired. Both sides rattled sabres, though neither appeared eager to escalate the confrontation, which stretched from the Middle East to the United Nations in New York over the weekend. Eleven Citizens Arrested by Israeli Occupation Forces International Press Center 8/11/2003 Palestine, August 11, 2003, IPC- - Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested eleven Palestinian civilians in different attacks in the West Bank and Negev. Israeli occupation forces IOF arrested Monday three Palestinian civilians, including an official, in the West Bank city of Tulkarem. Eyewitnesses told IPC correspondent, an Israeli military force broke into Al Eskan neighborhood of the city, stopped the car of Emad Al Saed, the Director General of local govern, and arrested him. Breaking News: Warplanes over Jenin International Press Center 8/11/2003 20:30 -- Israeli warplanes hover over the West Bank city of Jenin as Israeli troops are being intensively deployed in the city, IPC 20:00 -- Israeli troops hold hundreds of Palestinian civilians at two major military checkpoints in the middle and south of West Bank, WAFA reported. Israel bombs South as tensions escalate along border Daily Star 8/11/2003 Senior Israeli military source says more strikes could follow -- The Lebanon-Israel frontier endured the most serious escalation of violence in over a year Sunday when a Hizbullah anti-aircraft position near the village of Teir Harfa was destroyed by an Israeli jet. The air raid came hours after anti-aircraft fire from the Teir Harfa position killed an Israeli civilian and wounded four others.

Diplomacy..

Sharon: Diplomacy on hold Jerusalem Post 8/11/2003 Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told his Cabinet on Sunday that a U.S.-backed plan for Palestinian statehood will not move ahead until the Palestinians carry out their pledge to dismantle terrorist groups. The message was reinforced by Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, who said the peace process was on hold and the current security situation in Palestinian areas had become "virtually intolerable." Katsav commutes sentences of 69 Palestinian prisoners Ha'aretz 8/11/2003 President Moshe Katsav on Monday commuted the sentences of 69 Palestinian prisoners, paving the way for their release from Israeli jails on Tuesday. All the prisoners were convicted of criminal offenses. Katsav stated in their pardons that the prisoners would have to pledge that they refrain from getting involved in terror or violent activities, repeating the crimes for which they were convicted and declare their opposition to terrorism. Shalom: Separation fence to continue, despite U.S. criticism Ha'aretz 8/11/2003 Israel will continue building the West Bank separation fence according to its planned route despite comments by U.S. President George W. Bush on Friday that the fence is "a problem" because it makes it hard to develop a contiguous Palestinian state, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said Sunday morning. But Shalom added that attempts would be made to reach a solution to the disagreement on the fence, in accordance with understandings between Israel and the U.S. Abbas: Saudi money does not go to Palestinian militant groups Ha'aretz 8/11/2003 JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia - Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas said no Saudi money meant for needy Palestinians reaches militant groups, the official Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday. Saudi financial assistance to the Palestinians goes throughthe Palestinian Authority, which in turns directs it to social and economic programs and not to militant groups, Abbas told reporters late Saturday, according to SPA. PA Wants Saudis To Continue Funding Hamas Middle East Newsline 8/11/2003 RAMALLAH [MENL] -- The Palestinian Authority has relayed its approval of continued Saudi funding to Hamas. PA officials said Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas has expressed no objection to Saudi financial support of Hamas. The officials said Abbas regards Saudi support of Hamas as part of the kingdom's commitment to the Palestinians and the insurgency group's pledge to maintain a truce with Israel. Israel protests Hezbollah attack Ha'aretz 8/10/2003 Hezbollah attacks in the north over the weekend produced a sharply worded protest to the United Nations, an American warning to Syria and Lebanon and a veiled Israeli threat. Hezbollah attacked Israel Defense Forces bases Friday morning in the Har Dov region in the north, using mortar shells, anti-tank missiles and apparently also Katyusha rockets. The Hezbollah attacks, shattering more than six months of quiet on the northern border, also precipitated a U.S. warning to Syria and Lebanon, and a veiled threat of Israeli retaliation. Beirut taking complaint to Security Council Daily Star 8/11/2003 Lebanon has decided to file an urgent complaint against Israel at the UN Security Council over continued aggression, threats to Lebanon and overflights of Lebanese territory, a Foreign Ministry source said. “The Israeli violations have been met with wide condemnation because of the Jewish state’s determination to escalate the tension and because of Israeli provocations, which have risen in the past three days and have peaked in the past 24 hours,” the source added. US to Pressure Israel to Alter Fencing Plans Arab News 8/11/2003 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, 11 August 2003 — Israel is set to come under new pressure to tailor its plans for a controversial security barrier in the West Bank when the top US diplomat for the Middle East meets leaders here this week. William Burns, assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, is due to arrive tomorrow for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz. His visit comes amid a rare bout of criticism from the United State towards its chief regional ally over the path of the security barrier which President George W. Bush has said threatens to undermine the peace process. Palestinians form team to search for missing Jewish teens Jerusalem Post 8/11/2003 Palestinian Authority Minister of State for Security Muhammad Dahlan has established a team from the PA's security apparatus to help in the search for missing Tiberias teen Dana Bennet who went missing last week in northern Israel. Dahlan informed US representatives in the region about the establishment of the team over the weekend. Palestinian factions refuse to discuss truce extension Middle East Online 8/11/2003 GAZA CITY - Radical Palestinian groups which are currently observing a three-month ceasefire said Monday that they would not consider an extension to their truce while Israeli "violations" continued. Groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad are understood to have been in talks about prolonging their so-called "hudna" which has led to a dramatic downturn in violence since it was announced on June 29. But the death of four Palestinians after an Israeli army raid on a suspected West Bank explosives-making factory in Nablus in which an Israeli soldier was also killed Friday has dampened hopes that an extension may be round the corner. PLO: Israeli Violations Aim at Testing US, Int’l Reactions Palestine Media Center 8/10/2003 The Palestinian leadership said Saturday that the Israeli flagrant violations of the Hudna (truce) is aimed at testing US and international reactions, and prove that Israel’s government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon seeks to re-spark the cycle of violence and terrorism. “The government of (Israeli PM) Sharon is testing the international and the United States reactions in particular, in order to expand its aggression, continue its policy of assassinations, military incursions and siege (imposed on Palestinian territories by the Israeli Occupation Forces “IOF”), and to continue detaining more than ten thousand Palestinians,” the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) said in a statement released by the official news agency WAFA on Saturday. Anaysis / Officially, we never accepted the hudna Ha'aretz 8/10/2003 Officially, Israel has never accepted the hudna. It regards the cease-fire as an internal Palestinian agreement which does not bind Israel. -- The report of the death of the elite commando unit fighter, Staff Sergeant Roi Oren, in an encounter with Hamas activists in the Askar refugee camp on Friday, seemed astonishing at first. What are the Israel Defense Forces doing in east Nablus, in the middle of the hudna? But the arrest operation is not unusual. In the past month and a half since the terroristorganizations declared a cease-fire, some 70 Palestinian activists have been arrested in the West Bank. The difference is that, nowadays, reports of the arrests are pushed to the margins of the news broadcasts. Only when something goes wrong, like on Friday, does the matter get public attention. Analysis / PA: Hudna will end if Hamas disarmed Ha'aretz 8/10/2003 Senior figures in the Palestinian Authority government headed by Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) believe that should the PA's security forces attempt now to disarm Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as Israel demands, the hudna will end and the militant organizations will renew terror attacks against Israel. Hamas and Islamic Jihad are liable to use force and resist attempts to disarm them, a Palestinian security source said yesterday. But rather than directing this resistance against PA policemen, Hamas and Islamic Jihad may vent their wrath against Israeli targets, the source said. They could renew terror attacks and bring the hudna to an end. Saudi Money ‘Doesn’t Go to Militants’ Arab News 8/11/2003 JEDDAH, 11 August 2003 — Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmud Abbas has denied that Saudi money intended for needy Palestinians reaches militant groups. “Saudi financial assistance to needy Palestinians goes through the Palestinian Authority and not to militant groups,” he told reporters on Saturday. The United States wants to ensure that the relief money the Kingdom sends to the Palestinians does not fall into the hands of organizations Washington considers terrorists. Annan Condemns Shelling By Hezbollah Into Israel United Nations 8/11/2003 In a statement issued Sunday, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the shelling of anti-aircraft missiles by Hezbollah into Israel that cost the life of a 16-year-old Israeli and wounded four other civilians in the town of Shlomi. This represents a serious violation of the Blue Line and of the Security Council's resolutions. Sharon to visit India in September Jerusalem Post 8/11/2003 Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is to visit India in September, the first ever trip there by an incumbent Israeli premier, an Indian diplomat in Israel said Monday. The itinerary is yet to be finalized, Indian and Israel officials said, but the diplomat said the visit is tentatively scheduled for early September. Israeli-Lebanese diplomatic war rages on Middle East Online 8/11/2003 Israeli jets buzzed Beirut early Monday after an air raid on southern Lebanon in retaliation for the Hezbollah militia killing an Israeli in cross-border fire, but a senior official in Jerusalem said diplomacy was the best way to defuse the conflict. Lebanon seemed equally intent on pursuing a diplomatic battle, with its foreign minister meeting ambassadors of the five UN Security Council permanent members and the representative of UN chief Kofi Annan over Israeli "aggressions." Israel Freezes ‘Roadmap’, Defies US and Diverts Attention to Hizbullah Palestine Media Center 8/11/2003 Sending US Envoys Now and Then Is Insufficient: Yasser Abed Rabbo -- Ahead of a visit by the US top Middle East envoy William Burns, Israel froze the US-sponsored “roadmap” peace plan, defied Washington on the Apartheid Separation Wall it is building on occupied Palestinian territory and diverted attention to its northern front, amid warnings that the Jewish state is threatening a fragile cease-fire and the Palestinian government of Prime Minister Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen). Palestinian Prisoners' Minister: “I Don’t Trust Sharon Concerning Achieving Peace with Palestinians" International Press Center 8/11/2003 GAZA, Palestine, August 11, 2003 (IPC) — Palestinian Minister of Prisoners' Affairs, Hisham Abdel Raziq, stated Sunday that he doesn’t trust the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in light of latest developed issues with the Israeli side. “I don’t believe that Sharon really wants to achieve peace with the Palestinian people. When he says he wants to enhance Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen's status, he actually works on weakening him through actions...."

Human Rights..

UN Human Rights Committee to Israel: Revoke New Ban on Family Unification Law and Investigate, Prosecute, and Punish Incitement against Arab Citizens of the State Adalah 8/10/2003 On 6 August 2003, the United Nations Human Rights Committee ("the Committee") issued its Concluding Observations, after reviewing Israel's Second Periodic Report on its implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The Committee emphasized 13 key points regarding Israel's violations of ICCPR rights of Arab citizens of Israel as well as Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. Israel is a State Party to the ICCPR, and as such, Israel has undertaken to protect and uphold the rights enshrined in this international human rights treaty. PCHR welcomes the Minister of Justice’s recent decision to abolish state security courts Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 8/9/2003 PCHR welcomes the decision taken by the Palestinian Authority Minister of Justice to abolish state security courts and transfer their authorities to regular courts. PCHR believes that this step will contribute to the promotion of the independence of the Palestinian judiciary and calls upon the Palestinian President to issue a decree to entirely abolish the courts and cancel presidential decree 49 (1995) which established the courts. ISM: Our Direct Actions WILL Continue International Solidarity Movement 8/10/2003 In the past two weeks, the Israeli Military has shot directly at us, wounding 14 with rubber bullets. They have shot tear gas at us, arrested us, denied us entrance at their airports. All because ISM internationals bear witness to the daily brutality of the Israeli government’s apartheid policies. In the past week, 44 activists, including Palestinians, ISM internationals, and Israelis have been detained trying to protect a Palestinian’s home at a peace camp outside Mas’ha. Thirty-eight of the internationals have been forbidden to come back into the occupied territories (no matter what the PR spin-doctor from the Interior Ministry says). From the Prisoners of Qalqilya to the Prisoners in the Jails of the Israeli Occupier International Solidarity Movement 8/11/2003 The Sharon government released over 300 hundred of us this week, but he forgot to mention that the occupying forces had arrested over 300 of us in the month of July, the first month of his “so-called” peace with the Palestinians. Now, some of us have been sent home to Qalqilya, a huge prison holding 40,000 Palestinians. Tomorrow, August 12 at 10:00 am, we will march to the 8-meter Apartheid Wall and release doves into the sky, for they are the only species who can leave. Military court recommends re-hearing for draft objector Ha'aretz 8/11/2003 An unexpected twist occurred Sunday in the trial of draft refuser Yonatan Ben-Artzi when a Jaffa military court recommended that he be brought anew to the army's conscience committee. In a well-publicized conscientious objection case, Ben-Artzi, the nephew of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has already served 200 days in military prison after the committee refused in an earlier hearing to recognize him as a pacifist. A new war crime: Israeli occupying forces kill 4 Palestinian and destroy an apartment building in ‘Askar refugee camp in Nablus Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 8/9/2003 In the most violent Israeli military operation since the beginning of a cease-fire against Israeli targets declared by Palestinian resistance organizations, on Friday morning, 8 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces killed 4 Palestinians (two activists of Hamas movement and two civilians) in ‘Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus, and destroyed a 4-storey apartment building. There Is More than One Way to Tear Down a Wall, Mr. Sharon International Solidarity Movement 8/11/2003 The US congress says they will cut funding to Israel if they continue to build their Apartheid Wall, so "The Educational PAC Group" from AIPAC wined and dined the Democrats last week, trying to convince them that the wall won’t hurt Palestinians. So, where were the Democrats when they visited? They didn’t come to Qalqilya and see the 24-foot Apartheid Wall, now a prison for 40,000 Palestinians. Tomorrow, Palestinians from Qalqilya, Israeli Peace groups and ISM internationals will march against the Wall to tell the world how the Israeli occupation is stealing Palestinian land and water, strangling the economy, and eventually destroying any hope for peace. HR Report Shows Israeli violations to Holy Islamic and Christian Sites International Middle East Media Center 8/11/2003 Information published by the establishment of international solidarity for human rights shows that Israeli authorities and the settlers violated repeatedly the religious rights of Christians and Moslems against international laws that demands respect to all religions and religious sites. The report listed the following violations... More Than 6,000 Palestinian prisoners consider a Hunger Strike Soon International Middle East Media Center 8/11/2003 More than 6000 Palestinian prisoners are considering a move to start a genral hunger strike in all Israeli jails and detention military camps in protest against their “inhuman & unbearable” detention conditions. The Palestinian prisoner’s club distributed Saturday a leaflet signed by Palestinian prisoners in Nafah prison, calling for ending the cease-fire if Israel continue to “ totally exclude the prisoners issue from peace talks” and warning that a general hunger strike in all Israeli jails and detention centers is in way. U.N. Chides Israel Over Separation Wall Palestine Chronicle 8/11/2003 GENEVA - As U.S. President George W. Bush last Friday, August 8, admitted that the Israeli separation wall in the West Bank would hinder the creation of a Palestinian state, a U.N. human rights watchdog warned the wall imposes "unjustifiably" severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinians. The barrier clamps "additional and unjustifiably severe restrictions on the right to freedom of movement of, in particular, Palestinians in the Occupied Territories", the U.N. Committee on Human Rights said in written conclusions released after examining the country's recent civil and political rights record.  Israeli Military Appeal Committee Defers Conclusion of Second Six-Month Review of Transfer Order Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 8/11/2003 On Sunday, 10 August 2003, an Israeli Military Appeal Committee convened in Erez to conduct the second six month review of an Israeli military order which transferred Intisar and Kifah ‘Ajouri from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip. After representations, the Committee deferred the conclusion until a later, unspecified, date. PCHR is concerned that the Committee will again reconfirm the military order and refuse to allow the Ajouris to return to their home in Nablus.

Economy..

West Bank Mini-Mall Is Investment in Hope Washington Post 8/10/2003 First Western-Style Shopping Center Is Modest, But Offers Respite From Violence and Gloom -- RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Wajih Ibrahim reveled in the smorgasbord of games before him: He shot miniature basketballs through a hoop, dashed to a nearby video game, then darted to the foosball table. "I've never been able to go to a place like this to have fun," the boisterous 12-year-old Palestinian gushed during a pause in his manic romp through the kiddie land of the first Western-style shopping mall in the Palestinian territories. "We used to play in the streets and throw stones at soldiers -- that was our only fun." Bank of Israel: Average wage down 5.6% in year to May Globes 8/10/2003 The number of wage earners declined 0.9% to 2.408 million January-May 2003, and business sector wages fell 6%. -- The average gross wage fell 5.6% in real terms between May 31, 2002 and May 31, 2003, according to a Bank of Israel analysis of Central Bureau of Statistics figures. Real wages were down 5.7% in this period in the business sector, and 5.1% in the public sector. Palestinian public works and housing sectors suffer $30 losses Palestinian Information Center 8/11/2003 Al-Khalil - A field study conducted by the Palestinian Authority ministry of public works and housing yesterday affirmed that damages to those sectors in Al-Khalil district over the past 34 months had amounted to almost 30 million dollars. The study pointed out that demolition cases and huge destruction in houses reached 214 cases including buildings used by security apparatuses at a total loss of 16 million dollars. Industrial exports to US up 6% to $2.96b in January-June Globes 8/10/2003 After two years of decline, industrial exports to the US, excluding diamonds, rose 0.6% to $2.96 billion in January-June 2003. Most of the increase was in high tech and pharmaceuticals. High tech exports were up 8%, food exports 20%, and pharmaceutical exports 29%. Imports from the US, on the other hand, were down 20% to $2.46 billion. Smaller IDF procurements costs 300 textile jobs Globes 8/11/2003 Smaller IDF procurements from Israeli textile companies have cost the industry 300 jobs in recent months. Textile industry sources defined the situation as, "A plunge in Ministry of Defense and IDF orders from Israeli industry." The cut in the defense shekel budget has caused the defense establishment to divert procurements in recent years from local industry to the US, using US military aid. Serbian Army interested in Israel upgrade for armored vehicles Globes 8/11/2003 Serbia and Montenegro Minister of Defense Boris Tadic is visiting Israel, and met with senior Israel Military Industries officials. -- The army of Serbia and Montenegro (formerly Yugoslavia) is interested in having its armor and other battle vehicles upgraded in Israel. Serbia and Montenegro Minister of Defense Boris Tadic recently held talks on the matter at Israel Military Industries (IMI). Tadic’s visit to Israel was designed to strengthen ties between Serbia-Montenegro and Israel.

People..

Islam at the electronic frontier The Guardian 8/11/2003 Internet porn is popular in Muslim countries but so are online fatwas and 'e-jihad' -- There are two kinds of internet cafe in the Middle East: those where you sit with your back to the wall, and those where you don't. The importance of these seating arrangements should not be underestimated: having your back to the wall means nobody can look over your shoulder to check what you are up to. In other words, it is a discreet way of signalling that the cafe has a laid-back attitude towards pornography. Let no man put asunder Ha'aretz Friday Magazine 8/8/2003 An Israeli woman marries a Jordanian man born in the territories. Under a new law passed last week by the Knesset, Palestinian spouses of Israelis are no longer eligible for Israeli citizenship or permanent residence. Can the `only democracy in the Middle East' bar this couple from making their home here?...It's true that your husband has a Jordanian passport, but that doesn't alter the fact that he is a Palestinian resident of the PA rather than a Jordanian," wrote Uri Tamar, head of the department of Arab states and territories in the Interior Ministry, to Galit. Arab-Israeli MP lashes out in new book Daily Star 8/11/2003 Arab debates slammed for loud tone, meaningless content -- When reviewing a book by Azmi Beshara, a journalist fears a harsh reply from the smart Arab-Israeli Knesset member who lashed out in his new book at Arab intellectuals, commentators, fundamentalists, politicians and a regressive society at large. Released in March by Riad al-Rayyes Publishing House, Beshara’s book, Theses about the Handicapped Renaissance, comes down heavily on the social anomalies dominating Arab society in general and the Palestinian community in particular. ‘Divine Intervention’ Raises Controversy within Russian Media International Press Center 8/11/2003 GAZA, August 11, 2003 (IPC+ Agencies) -- A successful Palestinian movie shown in various Russian cinemas has created a great deal of controversy among Russian media outlets, covering the event. 'Divine Intervention', a Palestinian movie, depicting the Palestinian life under the Israeli occupation, was shown on June 2003 in the Moscow’s Movie Festival held in the Russian capital, Moscow, after having been shown in the Cannes Cinema Festival in 2002, Kuwaiti News Agency reported. The Monday Interview: Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia The Independent 8/11/2003 'It is galling to hear them say we're funding terror. Tell us who and how' -- Underlying the Saudi fury is a deep sense of disillusionment with the Bush administration. They were good friends with George Bush Snr when he was President and expected relations with George W's administration to pick up where they left off in 1992...."[He had] seemed to go out of his way to tip towards Israel, and especially [Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon, as opposed to [Palestinian President Yasser] Arafat. This shocked people. It was clear there was a new game in town." That "new game" included the war with Iraq and the apparent demotion of the Palestinian issue. "Our view, and we thought it was the US view, was always that in the Middle East problem, the Palestinian aspect was the most important. Solve that, and everything else will follow."

International..

Arab Nations Mull Iraq, Israel Issues The Guardian 8/10/2003 CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - The Egyptian, Saudi and Syrian foreign ministers gathered for a hastily called meeting on Monday, under new pressure to act on Iraq and new tensions between Hezbollah militants and Israel. The previously unscheduled meeting in Cairo Monday came a day after the Syrian-sponsored Hezbollah group shelled northern Israel, killing a 16-year-old and lightly wounding five other Israelis. That prompted a raid by Israeli warplanes on suspected Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. Protesters face off with MPs at the Dome Jordan Times 8/11/2003 'We care about women's rights, as much as you' — Deputy -- AMMAN — Some 100 people participating in a sit-in outside Parliament Sunday morning called on newly-elected deputies to reconsider their recent decisions rejecting temporary laws that favoured women. Beneath banners proclaiming, “We are partners not hostages ... What we are calling for is constitutional ... we call on Parliament to respect women's constitutional, human and Sharia rights,” protesters urged deputies entering the Dome for the morning session to reconsider their actions “because [the laws in question] guarantee justice and equality for women and society.” Jordan, Saudis Increase Security Ties Middle East Newsline 8/11/2003 AMMAN [MENL] -- Jordan and Saudi Arabia have launched a drive to increase security cooperation. Jordanian officials said the effort seeks to expand intelligence exchange and joint investigations. They said both kingdoms agreed to increase cooperation amid evidence that Saudi insurgents have been operating in Jordan. Interpreting Egypt's anti-semitic cartoons BBC 8/11/2003 "About the Holocaust, this big figure they mention, nine million, six million, it's not true," says Mohammed, the correspondent of an international news agency in Cairo. "In reality it was only half a million Jews killed - no more." The reason why the figure is important, he says, is that the Israeli Government "uses the Holocaust to put pressure on the European governments to neglect Palestine, to try to kill the dream of a Palestinian state". Mohammed also believes the Israeli secret service, Mossad, were responsible for the 11 September attacks. His views appear to be quite typical among journalists in Egypt and American and Israeli groups monitoring anti-Semitism in the Egyptian media are livid. UC Berkeley to probe anti-Semitism charge Jerusalem Post 8/11/2003 The University of California at Berkeley is investigating a complaint that a graduate student instructor taught anti-Semitism by uncritically presenting material from the fraudulent "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" in an Arabic language class. The instructor, Near Eastern Studies graduate student instructor Abbas Kadhim, said in a recent letter published on the web site volokh.com the "Protocols" was raised to present "Iraqi conventional wisdom." U.S. Mideast “Democratization” Plans Trigger Controversy Islam Online 8/10/2003 CAIRO, August 10 (IslamOnline.net) - The U.S. has repeatedly purported that toppling the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein serves as the springboard for spreading democracy in the Middle East, triggering a hot debate between Mideast experts themselves. While some analysts see as "stupid" the U.S. tireless bids to press for its version of democracy, others on the contrary countered that it was in the interest of Arabs to cooperate with the U.S. in its capacity as the world's sole superpower. Saudi Arabia Takes Strict Financial Measures To Control Charity Associations Al-Hayat 8/11/2003 Saudi Arabia took unprecedented measures designed to exert stricter control on charity associations, and at the same time, to guarantee that donors' aids are reaching the rightful beneficiaries. Dr. Ihsan Bu Hulaiqa, economist and member of the Shura Council, told Al-Hayat that his country decided to take these strict measures in order to make sure the donations to charity associations are reaching the rightful destination. "These new measures concern money transfers from these associations to the beneficiaries." Saudi arrests 10 militant suspects Financial Times 8/11/2003 Saudi police have arrested about 10 suspected Islamic militants after a shootout in the capital Riyadh, security sources say. The sources told Reuters that police had found hand grenades with the men after the clash on Sunday, in which no one was injured. Pakistan ready to recognise Israel, claims JID report Jang Group 8/11/2003 BRUSSELS: Western spy-masters have compiled a number of intelligence reports on the prospects of Pakistan's according recognition to Israel as they claim, "the decision of recognizing Israel is set to have a significant impact on the general Pervez Musharaf's attempts to stabilize Pakistan, as well as his own political future." Jordanian woman protest Parliament's rejection of two rights bills Jerusalem Post 8/10/2003 More than 100 women gathered in front of Parliament Sunday to protest lawmakers' rejection of two proposals to give Jordanian women more rights and protection. "We are your daughters, don't let us down!" Rana Husseini, a women's rights activist, shouted each time a lawmaker passes in front of the gathering of banner-waving women from the Union of the Jordanian Woman, human rights activists, intellectuals and homemakers.

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