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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..

Three Killed in Blast at Jerusalem Cafe The Guardian 9/9/2003 JERUSALEM (AP) - A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a cafe in Jerusalem Tuesday night, killing at least three other people and wounding about 40 others, rescue workers and radio reports said. The bomber struck at the Cafe Hillel on a strip with many restaurants and small shops. Ambulances rushed to the area, and workers carried away the wounded on stretchers. Four bodies were seen at the scene, Israel Army radio reported. It was unclear if one of them was the bomber. Tel Aviv blast leaves seven dead Al-Jazeera 9/9/2003 Seven people have been killed and tens more injured in an explosion at a bus stop outside an army base near Tel Aviv. The explosion occured in front of a bus stop near the Assaf Harofeh hospital close to the Tzrifin military base, local media are reporting. The Tzrifin camp is one of the largest army bases in central Israel and the bus stop is frequently used by soldiers. Medics are quoted as saying about 30 have been injured, 15 of them seriously. Israel Kills Four Palestinians Islam Online 9/9/2003 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, September 9 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Few hours after Palestinian Premier-designate Ahmed Qorei urged an end of Israeli aggressions before accepting the post, Israeli occupation forces killed four Palestinians in two separate operations on Tuesday, September 9. Israeli troops pushed into the West Bank town of Al-Khalil (Hebron), killing three Palestinians, including a 13-year-old boy. Two bodies were recovered from an apartment block in the town besieged by the Israeli army since the very morning on the pretext that Hamas activists were holing up inside, Agence France-Presse (AFP). Boy dies in Israeli raid Al-Jazeera 9/9/2003 Four Palestinians, including a 13-year-old boy, were killed when an apartment block in the West Bank town of Hebron was attacked by Israeli troops. Israel media reported one of the Palestinians was Ahmad Badr, a Hamas leader in the southern West Bank city. ..In Tulkaram, in the same region, Israeli patrols came under fire, and a bomb exploded near a Jewish settlement in Gaza, but there were no casualties in either incident. Israeli troops also reportedly arrested three Palestinians in the West Bank town of Nablus and two more in Ram Allah....In the Gaza Strip the bullet-ridden corpse of Muhammad Abd Allah al-Husni was removed on Monday morning near the town of Jabaliya. According to local medical sources, 17-year-old Muhammad was shot repeatedly over several hours and prevented from calling for help on his mobile phone by an Israeli military post. Israeli soldiers continued taking shots, mostly at al-Husni's legs, whenever he made any attempt to move or treat himself. When an ambulance arrived, medics were prevented from attedning to him. Israeli Tanks Storm Hebron, One Wounded International Press Center 9/9/2003 HEBRON, Palestine, September 9, 2003, (IPC)- - One Palestinian citizen was shot and wounded Thursday morning by Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank city of Hebron. Several Israeli tanks and armored vehicles invaded the neighborhood of Wadi Abu Ktaila, in the old city of Hebron. The tanks surrounded an eight-storey building and opened heavy fire, wounding one, IPC correspondent said....In the city of Tulkarem, one citizen was wounded Wednesday overnight by IOF. Palestinian security sources said Israeli troops besieged Tulkarem and prevented citizens from leaving or entering the city. Israel's "Security Wall" to spilt Al-Quds University in two Miftah 9/3/2003 In its relentless campaign to divide Jerusalem from the West Bank, Israel has seized Al-Quds University's main campus grounds in Abu Dis to continue construction of the "security wall" in an increasingly blatant effort to impose an apartheid system on the Palestinian people. The Wall will cut through the University splitting it in two and will result in the confiscation of a third of the University's grounds, approximately 70 dunums. According to Sari Nusseibeh, the University president, the Wall will be built on invaluable land, part of which contains specially preserved pinewood while the rest was intended for constructing sports facilities and a botanical garden. Moreover, the erection of a high cement wall will disrupt the lives of almost 6000 students who will effectively be denied access by the Israeli military of half of their campus. Israeli army erects roadblocks on main route through Gaza ReliefWeb 9/9/2003 GAZA CITY, Sept 9 (AFP) - The Israeli army erected two roadblocks Tuesday on the main north-south road in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian security services. The two barriers had been erected in the south, one near the Jewish settlement of Kfar Darom and another near the Gush Katif settlement bloc, they said. Occupation authorities question worshippers in the Aqsa Mosque Palestinian Information Center 9/9/2003 Occupied Jerusalem - Zionist occupation forces have escalated measures aimed at imposing a new de facto situation in the holy Aqsa Mosque. Citizens said that scores of Zionist policemen were deployed in various corners of the Haram Al-Sharif and were questioning worshippers. They said that policemen were confiscating their identity cards until they get out of the Mosque. Ya'alon: Qaida tried to recruit Saudi pilots for attack in Israel Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon said Tuesday that the Al-Qaida terrorist network tried to recruit Saudi Arabian Air Force pilots to carry out a suicide attack in Israel, similar to those carried out in the United States on September 11, 2001. According to Ya'alon, Al-Qaida tried to recruit pilots for an attack using either F-15 jets or civilian aircraft. Speaking at a conference at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Ya'alon said the information was disclosed during interrogations of Al-Qaida operatives under arrest in the West. Ya'alon also sent a warning to leaders of militant terror groups abroad, stating they could also be targeted in Israel's all-out war on terror suspects. Police release primary suspect in Jewish terror case Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 Judea and Samaria district police released from jail on Tuesday the primary detainee in the Jewish terror investigation. Sela Tor, arrested for his involvement in organizing terror attacks on Palestinians, remains under house arrest. He was the fifth individual connected to the ongoing investigation released by authorities over the past number of days. IDF kills armed man in Gaza Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 Israel Defense Forces troops yesterday shot dead an armed Palestinian in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. The army said that the Palestinian, an Islamic Jihad activist, was spotted at about 3 A.M. approaching the Nisanit settlement in the strip. An IDFtank shot at him, and he shot back before being killed. The army said a Kalashnikov rifle and hand grenades were found on the man's body. The Palestinian was reportedly wearing an IDF uniform, and the army believes he was on his way to shoot at an IDF outpost or at the settlement itself. Moslem Leader Arrested In Way to Pray In Al-Aqsa Mosque International Middle East Media Center 9/9/2003 Israeli security forces arrested Monday noon time the secretary general of the Islamic higher Institute Sheikh Taisir Al-Tamimi and Sheikh Taisir Al-Natshah while walking to join the Noon prayer at Alaqsa mosque in Jerusalem....Israeli police source said that the two Islamic leaders were detained for entering Israeli territories without obtaining proper permits and were released, after being questioned, and moved back into the PA territories. Israeli Extrajudicial Killings Claim Lives of 20 Palestinians and Injury of Scores Others in Few Days International Press Center 9/9/2003 Twenty Palestinian residents have been murdered and dozens others wounded by the Israeli occupation forces since August 21, 2003, as Israeli warplanes fired scores of missiles on the Palestinian people under extrajudicial assassination attempts on the life of those who either politically or militarily have been resisting the Israeli occupation since the outbreak of Al-Aqsa Intifada on September 2000. Occupation soldiers rob Palestinian house Palestinian Information Center 9/9/2003 Rafah - Zionist occupation soldiers robbed 15,000 dollars and 2,000 shekels from the house of a Palestinian citizen in the border town of Rafah to the southernmost of the Gaza Strip on Sunday. Zionist forces broke into the house of Akram Tobasi and arrested him along with three of his brothers. Mahmoud, one of Akram’s brothers, said that he was released along with one of his brothers, Ra’fat, after 24 hours detention. Explosion in Central Israel Kills 7 The Guardian 9/9/2003 RISHON LETZION, Israel (AP) - A suicide bomber blew himself up at a bus stop crowded with soldiers at rush hour Tuesday. At least six other people were killed, a television report said. The blast wounded at least 30 people, 15 of them seriously, rescue service workers said. The bomber struck at a busy bus stop near both the Assaf Harofeh Hospital and the Tsrifin army base near the Tel Aviv suburb of Rishon Letzion. Crowds fled the area screaming. Israel's Channel 1 TV reported the bomber and six bystanders were killed. Hospital doctors said most of the injured were soldiers. Israeli troops kill three Palestinians in Hebron, one in Gaza Strip Al-Bawaba 9/9/2003 A 12-year-old Palestinian and two Hamas fighters were killed Tuesday during an Israeli raid in the West Bank city of Hebron, Palestinian and Israeli press reports said. Israeli troops have been surrounding an eight-story building in the West Bank city in a search for Hamas members since Tuesday morning. At noon, Israeli troops fired a tank shell at the building. The shell hit the building next door, killing the boy, whom Palestinian sources identified as Hebron resident Thaer Sayuri. Explosion in Central Israel Kills 8 The Guardian 9/9/2003 RISHON LETZION, Israel (AP) - A suicide bomber blew himself up at a bus stop crowded with soldiers at rush hour Tuesday, killing eight people including himself and wounding more than a dozen. The bomber struck at a busy bus stop near both the Assaf Harofeh Hospital and the Tsrifin army base near the Tel Aviv suburb of Rishon Letzion. Crowds fled the area screaming. Fifteen people were being treated at the hospital, all but one of them soldiers, spokeswoman Nurit Nehemia said. Others were treated for minor injuries and released. IDF kills two wanted Hamas leaders, 12-year-old boy, in Hebron Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 Three Palestinians - two senior Hamas leader and a 12-year-old boy - were killed Tuesday during an Israel Defense Forces search for Hamas militants in the West Bank city of Hebron. One of the Palestinians killed by IDF troops in Hebron was tentatively identified as Ahmed Bader, Hamas leader in the southern West Bank city. The second was likely Izz a-Din Misk, a senior wanted Hamas operative in the city. This report was not immediately confirmed by military sources. 'Revenge attack' wrecks peace hopes BBC 9/9/2003 Israel had been bracing itself for suicide bombings since its army attempted to kill Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, spiritual leader of the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas. Hamas had promised to "open the gates of hell", and the country had been put under a high state of alert on Tuesday amid warnings of fresh militant attacks....The attack came as Palestinians were waiting to see what - if anything - their new prime ministerial appointee, Ahmed Qurei, could do to bring progress on the stalled peace plan known as the roadmap. In pictures: Israel army base blast BBC 9/9/2003 Photos: At least eight were killed and dozens wounded in a suicide bomb attack near an army base in central Israel IOF Kills Four Citizens Including a Child International Press Center 9/9/2003 HEBRON, Palestine, September 9, 2003 (IPC + Agencies) - - Four Palestinian citizens, including a child were murdered by Israeli occupation forces in two different incident in the West Bank city of Hebron and Gaza, Palestinian local sources said. A 12-years old child Thaer Al Siory was killed with live ammunition, Al Ahli hospital sources in Hebron told IPC correspondent....After killing the child and the two other citizens, IOF dynamited the Al-Kawasmeh building. Israeli soldiers forced the inhabitants to leave the building before destroying it. More than 15 families become homeless as the eight storey become a rubble....Meanwhile in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian security sources in the city of Rafah said that Israeli occupying troops, stationed at watchtowers along the Egyptian-Palestinian borderline, opened fire at civilian houses in the areas of Al Barazil and Yebna refugee camp.

Diplomacy..

Qureih Demands Guarantees, While Sharon Conditions This To "Fighting Terrorism" Al-Hayat 9/9/2003 In a development that could ease the Authority and revitalize the Roadmap, Ahmad Qureih has in principle accepted the position of Prime Minister. This could represent a positive step in as far as he has obtained the full backing of the European Union, and the "American message" addressed to Israel asking it not to rule out talks with him. While Israel's position towards Qureih marked a slight change when it conditioned its dealing with him on "fighting terrorism," Tel Aviv pursued its provocation campaign aimed at expulsing President Yasser Arafat or putting him under house arrest. Israel and India discuss arms deals Al-Jazeera 9/9/2003 Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has begun talks with his Indian hosts aimed at expanding military and political cooperation. Sharon hailed India as "one of the most important countries in the world" before going into talks in New Delhi on Tuesday. Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was equally welcoming. Israel, U.S. divided over security fence's route around Jerusalem Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 A new dispute has erupted between Israel and the United States regarding the separation fence, similar to the argument over the fence's route around the settlement of Ariel. This time the clash is over the fence's northeast route from Jerusalem toward Ramallah, with Washington complaining about how the fence "bites" into territory beyond the Green Line in the West Bank. As opposed to the early stages of the separation fence, Israel presented American officials with the planned route of the fence in the next phase. India and Israel sign six agreements Times of India 9/9/2003 NEW DELHI: In the presence of Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Ariel Sharon, India and Israel on Tuesday signed six agreements for cooperation in combating illicit trafficking of drugs, environment, health, education and culture. [Synopses of agreements follow] India, Israel to expand strategic relations Times of India 9/9/2003 NEW DELHI: Bringing their rapidly evolving relationship over the last decade firmly out of the closet on Tuesday, India and Israel decided to follow "innovative strategies" to further expand their strategic ties and boost annual bilateral trade from the present $1.3 billion. The two countries also decided to explore new avenues like cooperation in space and other frontier areas. India and Israel, for instance, could focus on joint ventures in the field of micro-satellite technology, futuristic combat unmanned aerial vehicles or information technology. Arafat's choice of PM angers Israel by refusing to crack down on Hamas The Independent 9/9/2003 Peace looked as remote as ever yesterday as Ahmed Qureia, the Palestinian Prime Minister designate, appeared to be on a collision course with Israel, even before he began putting together his cabinet. Mr Qureia, popularly known as Abu Ala, has specified from the start that he will not crack down on Hamas and other armed groups, and that he will avoid confrontation with Yasser Arafat, whose refusal to yield control of key security services prompted Abu Mazen to resign on Saturday. Hamas issues SOS to the Arab world Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 In an unusual step, Hamas yesterday issued a call for help to the Arab world, citing Israel's assassination attempt on Sheikh Ahmed Yassin's life and the European Union's inclusion of Hamas on its list of terror groups as the reasons. The organization asked for assistance in its struggle against pressure exerted by Israel and by the West at large, as exemplified by the European Union's recent decision to place Hamas' political wing on its list of terror organizations...The circular called on Arab leaders to denounce Israel's assassination policy, and to take diplomatic steps to alter the EU decision. Hamas also asked religious authorities to issue Islamic rulings compatible with the organization's interests. Israel Shrugs Off Qorei Plea to End Assassinations Arab News 9/9/2003 RAMALLAH, 9 September 2003 — Yasser Arafat’s nominee for prime minister, Ahmed Qorei, said yesterday that he would accept the job only with US and European guarantees of support and Israel’s commitment to halt its military crackdown. “I’ve been nominated but have not accepted yet because before that I want to see what kind of support I will receive from the Americans and the Europeans to change things on the ground for the Palestinians,” he told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah. “Without it I am not going to accept it for (the risk of) a new failure,” he added. Indian PM Vajpayee tells Haaretz violence contributes nothing Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 NEW DELHI - A mantra has been chanted back and forth between New Delhi and Jerusalem in recent days. It says: "India and Israel - two countries that share challenges and values, the only two democracies in their regions. Both countries face dictatorships that sponsor terror."....An exclusive Haaretz interview conducted with India's Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a few hours before his Israeli counterpart landed in the country, shows that shared interests and values have their limits. Asked whether he approves of Israel's assassinations policy, and whether his own country should adopt it, Vajpayee maintained a diplomatic silence. EU mulling new e5 billion Palestinian aid plan Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 ROME - The European Union is considering an aid plan worth e5 billion over five years to help the Palestinians rebuild their economy, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Tuesday. EU finance ministers are aiming to have an aid package proposal ready by the end of the year, Berlusconi told reporters after meeting his Danish counterpart, Anders Fogh Rasmussen. "We discussed this matter at the G8 meeting in Evian...and the figure of five billion euros over five years was mooted," the prime minister said, referring to a June summit of leading industrialized states in France. U.S. Refuses to Pressure Israel on Arafat The Guardian 9/9/2003 WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration refused Tuesday to pressure Israel or to ease up on Yasser Arafat even if that meant blocking Ahmed Qureia from taking over as the new Palestinian prime minister. Offering no new plans and maintaining a minimum level of diplomacy, the administration is leaving it to the Palestinians to sort out a power structure that so far inevitably leads back to Arafat, the blacklisted president of the Palestinian Authority....Rice, speaking at the Foreign Press Center, said ``the Israelis also have responsibilities and we are in constant discussions with the Israelis.'' But Rice gave major emphasis to ``the Palestinians need desperately to take on the obligations in the road map to deal with the terrorist infrastructure.'' PLO Calls for a ‘Different’ International, Regional Role Palestine Media Center 9/9/2003 The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on Monday held the Israeli government responsible for the collapse of the Palestinian government of caretaker Prime Minister Mahmud Abbas and called for active international intervention to commit Israel to its “roadmap” obligations to help bolster the chances of success for the new Palestinian government. Qorei Seeks Ceasefire Not Unilateral Truce Islam Online 9/9/2003 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, September 9 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Palestinian Prime Minister-designate Ahmed Qorei stressed Tuesday, September 9, he was seeking an Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire and not just a unilateral truce by Palestinian resistance groups, while Israeli Foreign Minister said the future premier would be judged by his willingness to dismantle the infrastructure of resistance groups. Deadly diplomacy The Guardian 9/9/2003 Ariel Sharon's visit to Delhi this week shows how far India has shifted its allegiance in the face of terrorism. But how will Pakistan react? -- Ariel Sharon arrived yesterday in New Delhi bearing arms - or more precisely, $1bn worth of Israeli spy planes. In doing so, the first visit by an Israeli prime minister to the subcontinent threatens not only to accelerate the arms race between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan, but also marks the emergence of a new US-backed coalition of the willing in a region whose influence stretches from the Bay of Bengal to the Dead Sea. Thousands protest Sharon Indian visit Al-Jazeera 9/9/2003 Thousands of people around India have protested against Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s visit but police ensured all demonstrations remained peaceful. Two thousand protestors carrying banners and placards tried to march up to the Israeli embassy in New Delhi on Tuesday, shouting anti-Sharon slogans. "Butcher Sharon, go back, go back … you have blood on your hands," screamed the protesters from various Indian political parties which have been staunch backers of the Palestinian cause since the height of the Cold War. Israel offers expertise to fight terrorism Times of India 9/9/2003 NEW DELHI: Israel on Tuesday offered to share with India its expertise in combating terrorism and warned that if the scourge was not eliminated it could wipe out civilisations. Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Joseph Lapid made the offer when he called on M S Bitta, chairman of All India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) at his residence here. Lapid is among three senior ministers in a 150-member strong delegation accompanying Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on his three-day visit to India. India, Israel to step up cooperation in agriculture Times of India 9/9/2003 NEW DELHI: India and Israel on Tuesday decided to enhance cooperation in agriculture, particularly in horticulture, floriculture and aquaculture. This was decided during talks between India's Agriculture Minister Rajah Singh and his Israeli counterpart Yisrael Katz, who is among three senior ministers accompanying Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on his visit to India. They decided to work on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in agriculture and set up a joint committee of officers to discuss various steps to achieve the objective. Kingdom Wants International Force for Palestine Arab News 9/9/2003 JEDDAH, 9 September 2003 — Saudi Arabia yesterday called for an international peacekeeping force to maintain security in the occupied Palestinian territories. It also urged the Palestinians to strengthen their unity. The Council of Ministers, which met here under the chairmanship of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, denounced Israeli policies that ignored its obligations under the Middle East peace road map. “By continuing the construction of the security wall, Israel intends to grab more Palestinian territories,” Culture and Information Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy told the Saudi Press Agency after the Cabinet meeting. Left parties protest Sharon's policies Times of India 9/9/2003 NEW DELHI: Hundreds of Left party supporters, waving banners and red flags, gathered near the hotel where Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is staying here to protest his visit to India. The demonstration was held on central Delhi's Shahjahan Road, near Hotel Taj Mahal, where Sharon is staying. Police were out in large numbers to keep a strict vigil on the demonstrators and keep emotions in check. The protestors carried banners and placards denouncing Sharon's actions and Israeli military violence against Palestinians. US backs strong ties between India, Israel Times of India 9/9/2003 WASHINGTON: The Bush administration has vigorously backed strong ties between India and Israel, describing both countries as "our friends" and offering to work constructively with them where US support or approval was needed. Responding to questions on the ongoing visit of the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to India, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, initially described it as a bilateral matter, but then added that the US has "excellent relations" with both countries before virtually triangulating the issue....In an apparent response to India's military purchase, Pakistan, which spends far in excess of India in terms of per capita and GDP, is now set to embark on fresh bid to procure arms. From a pariah, Israel is now India's bosom pal Times of India 9/9/2003 NEW DELHI: There was a time, not long ago, when Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a trip to India because New Delhi was not eager to host an Israeli prime minister. Much earlier, when then defence minister Moshe Dayan came calling in the late seventies, the whole thing was kept under wraps; and when it did get leaked out, much after Dayan had returned home, there was a political storm in New Delhi. And there were times when New Delhi was hesitant to issue visas even if Israeli teams sought to come to India to take part in international sporting events. For a country that considered itself as the most vocal non-Muslim champion of the Palestinian cause, and where Palestinian hero Yasser Arafat came calling as often as he could, Israel had been a pariah until a decade ago. US-Israel-India: Strategic axis? BBC 9/9/2003 Ariel Sharon's visit to India, the first ever by an Israeli prime minister, marks a growing friendship between the two countries. The visit comes amid growing calls from some interest groups and commentators in the US for the US, Israel and India to do more together to counter Islamic militants. India and Israel's bilateral relationship has blossomed since the two countries opened diplomatic ties in 1992. GCC States Urge Palestinian Groups to Unite Arab News 9/9/2003 JEDDAH, 9 September 2003 — The Gulf Cooperation Council yesterday called on the Palestinians to close ranks and unite, but made no comment on the political power struggle or Israeli efforts to kill the Hamas’ founder. "The GCC calls on all Palestinian parties to unite, which is necessary, and to avoid any difference likely to harm the interests of the Palestinian people,” the Arab bloc’s foreign ministers said in a statement closing a two-day meeting here. Police in India arrest over 100 anti-Sharon demonstrators Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 Mumbai police arrested more than 100 Muslims who were demonstrating Tuesday against the visit of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The arrests came amidst growing concern over possible terror attacks targeting Sharon and his entourage, which contains more than 100 people. According to the Times of India, New Delhi police forces are keeping a close watch on some groups of radical Palestinian students who may try and cause disturbances during Sharon's three-day visit to New Delhi. Palestinian PM-nominee Seeks US, EU Guarantees for Peacemaking Palestine Media Center 9/9/2003 Powell: US Will Negotiate with Premier of the Palestinian People -- President Yasser Arafat has officially nominated the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Ahmad Qurei (Abu Alaa) as the new Palestine National Authority (PNA) prime minister to succeed the caretaker premier Mahmud Abbas, who resigned on Thursday. Qurei has reportedly demanded US and EU guarantees of support for peacemaking, and has yet to confirm his acceptance of the post after sorting out his political agenda with the Palestinian leadership. Qurei Calls on Israel to Change Reality on Ground, Deal with Arafat Palestine Media Center 9/9/2003 PLO Calls for a ‘Different’ International, Regional Role -- Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Ahmad Qurei, who was nominated by President Yasser Arafat to succeed caretaker premier Muhmud Abbas as prime minister, has accepted his nomination “in principle” and demanded US and EU guarantees for peacemaking and called on Israel to “change the reality on the ground” and “alter its way of dealing with President Yasser Arafat,” amid a conditional welcome by the United States and expressed support by the European Union. Qureia conditions premiership on U.S. support; demands guarantees that Israel won't harm Arafat Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 Palestinian Legislative Council Speaker Ahmed Qureia has accepted Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's nomination as prime minister, but refuses to take up the task of forming a government before he has guarantees from the United States and Europe that Israel will not obstruct him by taking action against Arafat and that the peace process can proceed. Video: "Support for Mr Qurei came quickly from the European Union" BBC 9/9/2003 Video: The BBC's Richard Galpin - "Support for Mr Qurei came quickly from the European Union" Arafat nominee pressed on terror BBC 9/9/2003 Both the United States and Israel have said the priority for the new Palestinian prime minister must be to "fight terrorism". Secretary of State Colin Powell said the US hoped the new premier would be given "the political authority of the security forces and financial assets needed". Ahmed Qurei, whom Yasser Arafat nominated to the post, has already made clear he will not accept it without US backing. Rice: Palestinian prime minister must dismantle terror groups Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 United States National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday evening that the new Palestinian prime minister must act to dismantle terror organizations and must be granted the authority to command all the various Palestinian Authority security services in order to do so. During a briefing for international journalists in Washington, Rice said that the U.S. will continue to push the road map peace plan but Israel and the Palestinians must prove their commitment to the plan. Qureia condemns attack, says sides must try to end violence Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 Palestinian Legislative Council speaker Ahmed Qureia, who has conditionally accepted the nomination for Palestinian Prime Minister, condemned Tuesday's suicide bombing at a bus stop outside an army base near Rishon Letzion, that claimed the lives of seven people. "We express our regrets and pain for the innocent lives (lost) as a result of violence and counter-violence," Queria said. "Such an act stresses once again the necessity that both the Palestinian and Israeli leadership ... search for ways to end this killing,” he added. 'Israel ready to make painful concessions' Times of India 9/9/2003 NEW DELHI: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has offered to make what he called "painful concessions" for peace in the Middle East. "My government is prepared to make painful concessions for the sake of genuine peace, but will understandably not compromise on the security of its citizens," he said in a message on the occasion of his three-day visit to India. Middle East Timeline: November 2002 to the present The Guardian 9/9/2003 Includes links to stories Arafat's nominee sets out his demands The Guardian 9/9/2003 US and Europe must press Sharon to stick to road map before I take the post, Qureia says -- Yasser Arafat's nominee for prime minister, Ahmed Qureia, demanded guarantees from Washington and Europe yesterday that they will force a major shift in Israel's treatment of the Palestinians before he accepts the post. Deftly putting the onus on the White House to make good promises the Palestinians say have been betrayed, Mr Qureia said he wanted assurances that Israel would meet its commitments to the road map peace process and the personal guarantees given by its prime minister, Ariel Sharon, to President George Bush.

Human Rights..

Israel: OMCT condemns the recent wave of targeted assassinations World Organisation Against Torture 9/5/2003 The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) firmly condemns the wave of targeted assassinations by the Israeli defence against suspected terrorists since August 21st in the Occupied Territories. These attacks, numbering eleven since that date, which have been characterised by the systematic and indiscriminate use of force, have resulted in several dozens of civilian bystanders, including a number of children, being injured or killed. OMCT notes with grave consternation that the way for these violations has been paved by the Israeli Supreme Court’s decision on July 8th, in which it refused to declare a moratorium on these targeted assassinations. Discuss rights of Palestinians, Amnesty tells India Deccan Herald 9/9/2003 Expressing concern about the spiraling human rights violations in the Occupied Territories, human rights watchdog Amnesty International today said Government of India should use Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s visit to urge Israel to protect the rights of all Palestinians. ACRI asks High Court to cancel change in citizenship legislation Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 The Association for Civil Rights in Israel yesterday petitioned the High Court of Justice to order the interior minister and Israel Defense Forces commanders in the territories to cancel implementation of the amendment to the citizenship law that has frozen the naturalization procedures of Palestinians married to Israelis. The court was also asked to issue a temporary injunction that would prevent implementation of the amendment until it rules on its legality. State Agencies openly and intentionally violate Supreme Court ruling Association for Civil Rights in Israel 9/9/2003 ACRI submitted a petition yesterday to the Supreme Court against the Israel Lands Authority (ILA), The Jewish Agency, and the community of Katzir as a result of those agencies’ persistent refusal to implement the original ruling of the Supreme Court prohibiting discrimination between Arabs and Jews in the distribution of land. The petition was submitted on the 8th of March 2000 in the name of Iman and Adal Ka’adan, whose request to purchase a plot of land in Katzir was refused by the afore-mentioned bodies. Eyewitness in the Prison: Al Ramla Female Prisoners Suffer Israeli Brutal Treatment International Press Center 9/9/2003 BETHLEHEM, Palestine, September 9, 2003 (IPC) - - A brutal assault against female Palestinian prisoners has escalated in the "Al Ramla" Israeli jail. The brutal abuse was against Amna Mona from Ramallah City, a press release issued by the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS) said. That jail wardens poured hot water and detergents on Prisoner Mona, which is also the spokeswoman of the female Palestinian prisoners in the jail. Mona suffered severe burns and lesions. Instead of moving her to the hospital for immediate treatment, the jail administration locked her in solitary confinement, the PPS said quoted from the a recently released female prisoner, Hala Jabr, from Jenin, which was released after 14 months in the Israeli jail of "Al Ramla". Jubara Students Defend Their Right to Education International Press Center 9/9/2003 Every day the children of Jubara must wait for the soldiers to open the gate in the Apartheid Wall, then walk in a line past soldiers armed with machine guns, to go to school. September 1 is the first day of the new school year in Palestine. Like students all around the world, Palestinian children are excited about their first day back at school. They wake up early and put on their uniforms and backpacks with their new notebooks and pencils. But in the tiny hamlet of Jubara, the teachers and children never know if they will be able to reach their school or not. It all depends if the soldiers will open the gate in the Apartheid Wall and let them go to their school in the neighboring village of Ar Ras. UN conference calls for pressure to force Israel to bring down separation wall United Nations News 9/8/2003 8 September – Civil society organizations have committed themselves to pressure their governments to condemn Israel's "separation wall" in the occupied West Bank as part of its pattern of illegal settlement activity, according to a plan of action adopted by the United Nations International Conference of Civil Society in Support of the Palestinian People. Agreeing on the outline for the "Bring Down the Wall" campaign contained in the Action Plan, adopted at the end of the conference last Friday, civil society organizations also committed themselves to combining resources to educate the public, increase pressure on governments to condemn the wall's illegality and demand its immediate destruction. Ongoing Israeli military operation in Hebron leaves one child dead and 2 other civilians wounded Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 9/9/2003 In the second such incident this week, early this morning Israeli occupying forces surrounded and opened fire at an 8-storey apartment building in Hebron. An 11-year-old child in a neighboring house was killed in the attack and two other civilians were wounded. Israeli occupying forces claimed that Palestinian gunmen were hiding in the residential building and had opened fire at Israeli troops. However, PCHR’s field worker in Hebron asserted that there were no signs or reports of gunfire from inside the building. PCHR is concerned that the Israeli occupying forces will demolish the property, following a similar Israeli military operation conducted in Nablus on Friday 5 September 2003, in which a 7-storey apartment building was demolished. Palestinian Medical Relief Ambulance Staff and Patient Detained by the Israeli Occupying Forces Palestine Monitor 9/9/2003 At 9 am on Tuesday the 9th of September, Israeli Soldiers stopped a Palestinian Medical Relief ambulance whilst it was transporting a patient from Hebron to Al Makassad Hospital in Occupied East Jerusalem. Inside the Volkswagen ambulance, number 9404090, was Bassim Mahmoud Titi, who had a hip injury requiring surgery at Al Makassad. Dr Mahmoud Abu Ayash, and a driver – Jaweed Ahmad Adhami, staffed the ambulance. The Israeli soldiers ordered the ambulance driver and patient, at gunpoint, to leave the ambulance. They were taken to Nabi Yacoub Police Station and were interrogated for 4 hours. Palestinian prisoners subject to systematic repressive campaign Palestinian Information Center 9/9/2003 Gaza - Palestinian Authority minister of prisoners’ affairs, Hisham Abdul Razek, has charged the Zionist entity of exercising a systematic campaign of repression against Palestinian prisoners. He said that the campaign recently escalated with the constant transfer of prisoners from one jail to another and with the growing savage measures against them. Invitation: Olive Harvest Campaign Palestine Monitor/ISM, PENGON, UPAC, UPA, LDC October 5 - November Your presence is needed for the olive harvest in Palestine, resisting the occupation by insisting on life. Since October 2000, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian trees have been bulldozed, uprooted or set ablaze by Israeli soldiers and settlers. Olive trees are a symbol of the life of the Palestinian, and their destruction by Israeli forces is an attempt to de-root the Palestinians from their land....This year we are again calling on you to join us for the olive harvest in Palestine. The Olive Harvesting Campaign, part of the Palestinian people's resistance to the occupation, will be from October 5 - November 20, 2003. Amnesty blasts separation fence as 'disastrous' Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 The construction of a West Bank security fence between Israel and the West Bank barrier is deepening the crippling economic impact of its tough travel restrictions on Palestinians, Amnesty International said Monday. In a new report, "Israel and the Occupied Territories: Surviving under Siege," the London-based human rights group said some 60 percent of Palestinians live below the poverty line of $2 per day and unemployment is close to 50 percent. [See Amnesty's report: Surviving under siege: The impact of movement restrictions on the right to work] Assessment Mission to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories Refugees International 9/9/2003 Refugees International is conducting an assessment mission in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, following a previous assessment of Lebanon, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in February 2002. Despite political developments since then, including the attempt to implement the “Road Map” and a temporary cease-fire, the overall humanitarian situation has not improved, and in some instances worsened.

Economy..

Treasury calls for NIS 3B defense cut Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday unveiled the main elements of the 2004 state budget, highlighted by a proposed NIS 10 billion cut in government spending that includes a significant slash in defense expenditures. Netanyahu met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday and proposed a NIS 3 billion cut in the defense budget. Yesterday, Netanyahu requested that an additional NIS 3 billion that had been promised to the Defense Ministry last year not be transferred. Fitch said to okay treasury's raising budget deficit to 4% Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 Fitch Ratings has reportedly given a verbal okay to the 2004 budget that Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to submit to the cabinet next Monday, and will not downgrade Israel's credit rating. The budget plan for next year includes a NIS 10 billion cut compared to the budget of 2003, and an increase of the deficit target from 3 percent to 4 percent of gross domestic product. Israel may eat into Russia's arms market share Times of India 9/9/2003 NEW DELHI: After overtaking France and the UK in the race to supply military hardware and software to India, Israel is now aiming to provide stiff competition to Russia if big-ticket deals like the one for the "Phalcon" early warning radars materialise in the near future. India's AWACS (airborne warning and control systems) project involves the integration of the "Phalcon" radar and communication system with the Russian Ilyushin-76 heavy transport military aircraft. Some 1,300 jobs to go in merger of tax units Ha'aretz 9/9/2003 Some 1,300 jobs out of a total 5,200 are expected to be lost when the Finance Ministry goes through with its plans to amalgamate the Customs & VAT Department with the Income and Lands Tax Department, according to senior sources in the tax unit. Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently announced that the two departments would be merged, to cut costs, and to provide a more integrated and efficient service.

People..

The Sailing Will Not Be Smooth for the New Palestinian PM By Ezzedine Said, Arab News 9/9/2003 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, 9 September 2003 — As he seeks to navigate the twin obstacles of Israel and Yasser Arafat, doubts prevail about the prospects of Ahmed Qorei succeeding as Palestinian prime minister where Mahmoud Abbas failed.“The two men are from the same school of thought that advocates negotiations to achieve a Palestinian state while (Palestinian leader Yasser) Arafat believes in revolution until victory,” analyst Mahdi Abdel Hadi said.Abdel Hadi and other commentators believe that despite his warmer ties with Arafat, Qorei is likely to run into the same problems as Abbas, notably on what strategy to adopt in dealings with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and how to push for the implementation of the US-backed roadmap.“Sharon doesn’t care about the road map. All he wants is to take land, completely eliminate Hamas and neutralize (Arafat’s) Fatah party politically,” Abdel Hadi added....“Sharon gave nothing to Abu Mazen (Abbas), he won’t give anything to Abu Ala,” he said. The question of security services, which Abbas sought to control in order to rein in militant groups, is also likely to dog Qorei.

International..

Rivals Criticize Dean For Mideast Comment Washington Post 9/9/2003 Howard Dean came under fire yesterday from two rivals for the Democratic nomination for saying the United States should not "take sides" in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Five days after Dean told supporters in New Mexico that "it's not our place to take sides" in the conflict, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.) accused him of advocating a "major break" from the United States' long-standing policy of explicitly siding with Israel in the Middle East. "If this is a well-thought-out position, it's a mistake, and a major break from a half a century of American foreign policy," Lieberman said in a statement. "If it's not, it's very important for Howard Dean, as a candidate for president, to think before he talks." Sen. John F. Kerry (Mass.) said: "It is either because he lacks the foreign policy experience or simply because he is wrong that governor Dean has proposed a radical shift in United States policy towards the Middle East..." Europe Should Remember Anti-Nazi Resistance With Regard to Hamas: Spokesman Tehran Times 9/9/2003 TEHRAN – Iranian government spokesman on Monday expressed regret over the blacklisting of Hamas political wing as a terrorist organization by the European Union, comparing the Palestinian struggle to Europe's fight against Nazi occupation. "The Europeans should check their memory and see that during the time when they were occupied by Nazis, what actions did their people take?" government spokesman Abdollah Ramazanzadeh told reporters. Americans for Peace Calls On U.S., Israel to Give Abu Ala Chance to Succeed Arabic Media Internet Network 9/8/2003 Washington, D.C.—Americans for Peace Now (APN) today called on the U.S. and Israeli governments to give Palestinian Prime Minister-designate Ahmed Qureia (Abu Ala) a chance to succeed in his new position in order to strengthen the forces of moderation in Palestinian society and reduce violence directed against Israel. APN’s mission is to enhance Israel’s security through peace and to support the Israeli Peace Now movement. Al Qaida Fails in South America, PA Middle East Newsline 9/10/2003 HERZLIYA, Israel [MENL] -- Al Qaida has failed to establish an operational presence in South America as well as in the Palestinian Authority. A leading expert on Al Qaida said this was one of the few failures by the movement in its effort to ensure a global reach. In contrast, Hizbullah has succeeded in establishing a presence in South America. U.S. Judge: Iran Liable for Beirut Blast The Guardian 9/9/2003 WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal judge has ruled that the government of Iran was responsible for the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut that killed 63 people, including 17 Americans, and awarded $123 million in damages to some of the U.S. victims and their families. U.S. District Judge John D. Bates said the bombing on April 18, 1983 was carried out by the terrorist group Hezbollah with funding, weapons and training provided by senior Iranian officials. Moussa Mediates Between Lebanon And Libya Al-Hayat 9/9/2003 Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa held talks in Cairo in a bid to control the Lebanese-Libyan crisis revolving around the disappearance of Imam Moussa Al Sadr. This crisis recently translated into Libya's decision to close its embassy in Lebanon and call back its delegation. Moussa met with Foreign Minister Jean Obeid, who was in Cairo to participate in the Arab Foreign Ministers meeting. US moves closer to Iran ultimatum Al-Jazeera 9/9/2003 Iran has not complied with nuclear safeguards agreements and should be given a "last chance" to clear up all questions about its atomic programme, a senior US official said on Tuesday. "The United States believes the facts already established would fully justify an immediate finding of non-compliance by Iran with its safeguards violations," US Ambassador Ken Brill told a meeting in Vienna of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Indo-US talks on acquisition of 8 P3C Orions Times of India 9/9/2003 NEW DELHI: A high level US Naval delegation on Tuesday opened talks with Indian officials to work out a government-to-government agreement on acquisition of 8 P3C Orions long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft. The US delegation held discussions with the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral S Gopalachari. The US Navy is offering the eight Orions from its own inventory at a much reduced price and the planes would later be upgraded by its manufacturers Lockheed-Martin before delivery to India. Nuclear pressure could backfire, Iran warns US The Independent 9/8/2003 Pressure from the US and other countries gathering for a UN atomic energy meeting this week could aggravate tensions instead of clearing up concern about Iran's suspected nuclear activities, Tehran's delegate said in a blunt warning yesterday. Washington accuses Iran of working on a secret nuclear weapons programme. Iran insists its programmes are devoted only to generating electricity. Tehran's nuclear intentions are the main item at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency today in Vienna. U.N. Puts Off Vote on Libya Sanctions The Guardian 9/9/2003 UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Facing a threatened French veto, the U.N. Security Council delayed a vote on lifting sanctions against Libya until Friday and made clear it would not accept any further delays. U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte said the United States was ``very disappointed'' that the vote didn't take place Tuesday - especially for families of the 270 people killed in the 1988 Pan Am bombing in Lockerbie, Scotland. Al-Jazeera Campaigns to Release Reporter The Guardian 9/9/2003 DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - News anchors on Al-Jazeera television sported large buttons bearing a photo of their colleague Tayssir Alouni on Tuesday, the most visible sign of the station's