Explosions Rock Palestinian Hq
The Guardian, September 21, 2002
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - Explosions rocked Yasser Arafat's compound Saturday, including one that showered him with debris, as the Israeli army systematically blew up or bulldozed nearly every building around him in the Palestinian Authority's headquarters.

Israel pledges not to harm Arafat as siege tightens; Security Council to discuss Israeli actions on Monday
Al-Bawaba, September 21, 2002
Israel tightened its siege on Yasser Arafat early Saturday, after blowing up almost every building in his compound. The Israeli actions came as the UN Security Council was preparing to discuss a Palestinian request for an emergency meeting to debate the blockade.

Palestinian Woman, Teenager Killed - Three Israeli Tanks Destroyed - Army Blows Up Most of Arafat’s Headquarters
Palestine Chronicle, September 20, 2002
GAZA STRIP/WEST BANK (PC) - Palestinian resistance fighters blew up two Israeli army tanks in the southern Gaza Strip, and a third in Jabalia. Meanwhile, the Israeli army has reportedly fenced a building in which the Palestinian President is held hostage, destroying the rest of the Ramallah headquarters.

Police close E. J'lem office of Al-Quds Univ. president Nusseibeh
Ha'aretz, September 21, 2002 
Jerusalem police closed Friday the East Jerusalem offices of the president of Al-Quds University in East Jerusalem, Dr. Sari Nusseibeh, for the second time in three months. Nusseibeh himself is in Jordan.

EU attacks Israeli reprisals against Arafat
The Guardian, September 21, 2002
British gap-year student dies after Tel Aviv suicide bombing: The European Union criticised Israel yesterday for its renewed siege of Yasser Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah, saying it would neither curb "terror" nor shore up security in the Jewish state.

PM: Siege of Ramallah HQ to go on until Israel has wanted men
Ha'aretz, September 21, 2002 
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon vowed Saturday to maintain the siege of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's compound (Mukaata) in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Israel Radio reported.

Sharon turns down Palestinian plea to end siege around Arafat
Jerusalem Post, September 21, 2002
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has rejected a request from the head of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Abu Alla to end the siege around Yasser Arafat's Ramallah compound, Israel Radio reported Saturday.

We Are No More Able to Provide Security: Palestinian Authority
Islam Online, September 21, 2002
Arafat has been intimidated by Bush and Sharon to accept Israeli visions of a settlement: CAIRO, September 20 (IslamOnline) – Israeli forces have been launching a destructive war against the infrastructure and personnel of Palestinian security forces. Currently, the Palestinian Authority's security forces are totally devastated, unable to provide security for the Palestinians, let alone for the Israelis, Palestinian officials told IslamOnline Friday, September 20, 2002.

Arafat defiant amid the ruins
BBC, September 21, 2002
The army systematically destroyed surrounding edifices: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has said he will not capitulate as Israeli tanks and troops closed in to just a few metres from his besieged office in Ramallah.

IDF razes homes of terrorists who sent Dolphinarium bomber
Ha'aretz, September 21, 2002 
The IDF demolished Saturday two homes in the West Bank town of Qalqilyah that belonged to the families of Palestinian terrorists who sent the suicide bomber to Tel Aviv's Dolphinarium last June. 22 people, mostly youths, were killed in the bombing. Palestinian sources said that one of the militants was killed in a recent clash with IDF soldiers.

Israel kills four Palestinians, destroys government premises, economic firms
Arabic News, September 21, 2002
The Palestinian army officer Muhammad Ismael Hamouda was shot to death on Friday as the Israeli army soldiers opened fire at him inside the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority.

LAW Weekly Roundup: 12-18 September 2002
Palestine Chronicle, September 20, 2002
GAZA STRIP/WEST BANK (LAW) - Explosion at Zaif School in Hebron; Israeli troops fire upon Palestinian children in Askar refugee camp near Nablus; Palestinian worshippers in Nablus beaten, three wounded; More incursions into Palestinian areas, homes destroyed.

Statement: Palestinian Leadership Condemns Tel Aviv Bombing
Palestine Chronicle, September 20, 2002
RAMALLAH - In response to the attack in Tel Aviv on Thursday 19 September, a spokesman for Palestinian leadership issued the following statement.

Violence among Palestinians on the rise
Jerusalem Times, September 19, 2002    
Participants in an educational seminar confirmed the increase of domestic violence in the Palestinian community as a result of the conditions connected with political and cultural events.

Birzeit University and the education crisis
Jerusalem Times, September 19, 2002     
At the Surda checkpoint, Birzeit University students begin each day with worry and tension. Recently, the university suffered irregular academic operation due to repeated Israeli military incursions, curfews, and, most importantly, the military roadblock at Surda. Internal and external crises appeared, and the university opted to follow a new policy on the hope of continuing semi-normal operation.

UNCTAD warns crisis leading to de-development
Jerusalem Times, September 19, 2002     
The recently intensified crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory has exhausted the benefits of development efforts, setting the Palestinian economy “on the path of de-development", warns the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its annual report on UNCTAD's assistance to the Palestinian people.

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"This could be Yasser Arafat's longest, loneliest hour"
BBC, September 21, 2002

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Israeli government spokesman: "Mr Arafat is not the target"
BBC, September 21, 2002

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Arafat spokesman: "This Israeli campaign is against the will of the president and the Palestinian people"
BBC, September 21, 2002

Israel demolishes houses in West Bank city, closes offices of Al Quds University President
Al-Bawaba, September 21, 2002
The Israeli army demolished Saturday two homes in the West Bank town of Qalqilyah that belonged to the families of Palestinian activists who sent the suicide bomber to Tel Aviv's Dolphinarium last June. 22 Israelis, mostly youths, were killed in this bombing attack.

S&P downgrades Israel's three leading financial institutions
Al-Bawaba, September 21, 2002
International credit rating agency Standard & Poor's has lowered Wednesday, September 18, its ratings on Israel's three largest financial institutions—Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi and Israel Discount. The move was mainly attributed to the negative impact of the economic recession on the local banking sector.

Arafat appeals to Arab leaders; Mubarak says Israeli escalation encourages desperation
Arabic News, September 21, 2002
Palestinian authority chairman Yasser Arafat made telephone calls from his besieged headquarters in Ramullah with several Arab leaders during which he urged them to move to halt Israel's aggression and crimes.

Family says deported Palestinian professor is tossed from second country
New Jersey.com, September 21, 2002
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- A deported Palestinian professor who had been jailed on secret evidence that prosecutors said linked him to terrorism apparently is without a country again.

President spells out new, bellicose philosophy for US
The Independent, September 21, 2002
The Bush administration made official its new philosophy of America yesterday: it is a country that reserves the right to act pre-emptively against a potential foe, brooks no military rival and regards most non-proliferation treaties as barely worth the paper they are printed on.

US wants wider exemptions from war crimes court
The Independent, September 21, 2002
America is negotiating with Britain and other European Union countries to expand blanket immunity to cover civilian as well as military personnel who might fall foul of the new international war crimes tribunal in the Hague.

Bush asks for 'blank cheque' to attack Iraq
The Independent, September 20, 2002
President George Bush asked Congress yesterday for a "blank cheque" draft resolution on Iraq, giving him authorisation to use force to deal with Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi leader responded witha blistering attack on the US, delivered at the United Nations.

Bush vows to snuff out potential enemies
The Guardian, September 21, 2002
US plans for pre-emptive strikes: The United States will not hesitate to strike pre-emptively against its enemies, even if it faces international opposition, and will never again allow its military supremacy to be threatened by a rival superpower, President George Bush declared yesterday in a document setting out an aggressive new vision for America's foreign policy.

New UN rights chief condemns Mideast violence
The News International Pakistan, September 21, 2002
GENEVA: The UN's incoming High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello, said on Friday that he would mix outspokenness with behind-the- scenes diplomacy as he tried to coax governments into respect for the rule of law.

Worldwide Calls For Immediate Halt To Israeli Siege Of Arafat
Islam Online, September 21, 2002
PARIS, September 21 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Several countries have called on Israeli, on Sunday, to immediately halt its siege of the West Bank headquarters of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

Israeli, Palestinian mayors meet at Athens conference 
Ha'aretz, September 21, 2002
ATHENS - In the midst of fresh Middle East violence, a Palestinian and an Israeli mayor found time on Friday to sit together, embrace and appeal for peace.

Top Iranian cleric says ''Qatar committing treason against all Muslims''
Al-Bawaba, September 21, 2002
A senior Iranian cleric said Friday that Qatar was guilty of "treason" against Muslims for providing the United States with an air base that could be used to strike Iraq.

Iraq to promote democratic development; welcomes German inspection experts
Arabic News, September 21, 2002
Iraq's Cabinet discussed the fifth round of National Assembly polls and approved proposals to promote democratic development in the coming elections, INA reported yesterday.

Bush could block Iraq inspection
Arab News, September 21, 2002
WASHINGTON, 21 September — Russia and the United States failed yesterday to resolve differences on what is emerging as the key issue in the Iraq crisis — US insistence that UN weapons inspectors cannot return until the UN has passed a stern new resolution spelling out the consequences if Baghdad fails to cooperate.

Saddam Hussein's letter to the UN and international community
Arabic News, September 21, 2002
Iraqi Foreign minister Naji Sabri read this week the full text of his Iraq's President Saddam Hussein letter before the UN secretariat- general. Here follows is the full speech according to the Iraqi official news agency INA.

Minister toughs out Nazi remark
The Guardian, September 21, 2002
Schröder ally denies comparing Bush with Hitler: Germany's justice minister chose to tough out the latest drama to hit the election campaign, insisting yesterday that she had been misquoted and libelled by a newspaper that reported her as comparing President George Bush's tactics on Iraq with those of Adolf Hitler.

Palestinians must focus on creating state: EU
The News International Pakistan, September 21, 2002
BEIRUT: The European Union's Middle East envoy said on Friday Palestinians should focus on creating their own state "as soon as possible" rather than blowing themselves up in suicide bombings against Israeli targets.

Israeli Tanks 10 Meters Away, Arafat ‘Prepared to Die A Martyr’
Islam Online, September 21, 2002
Israeli tanks are only 10 meters away from Arafat’s private office: RAMALLAH, September 21 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Israeli tanks were just 10 meters (yards) from Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's office Saturday, September 21, 2002, after the army destroyed every other building in his headquarters overnight, detaining 19 of their occupants.

Slowly But Surely, Bush Gathers Support for Iraq Invasion
Islam Online, September 21, 2002
Bush insists on attacking Iraq, no matter what the costs may be: CAIRO, September 21 (IslamOnline) – U.S. President George W. Bush Saturday, September 21, 2002, came one step closer to achieving his goal of winning support for his military plans against Iraq.

U.S. Special Forces Seen Preparing for Anti-Terror Strikes in Yemen, Somalia
Islam Online, September 21, 2002
Although denying it, French forces already in Djibouti are providing bases for incoming U.S. Special Forces planning attacks in Yemen and Somalia: WASHINGTON, September 21 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Several hundred U.S. Special Forces troops are ready in east Africa to make commando raids to capture or kill suspected al-Qaeda fugitives and other targets as a new weapon in the (so-called) U.S. war on terrorism.

Welsh nationalists seek boycott of Israeli goods
Ha'aretz, September 21, 2002 
LLANDUDNO - The Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru on Saturday called for a boycott of Israeli goods and urged people to understand the suffering that drives Palestinian suicide bombers.

UN mission to assess the humanitarian condition of Palestinians
Ha'aretz, September 21, 2002 
UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations will soon send a mission to assess the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Palestinian areas, where 50 percent of the population depend on food handouts, the top UN envoy for the region said Friday.

Lebanon nixes U.S. request to halt work on Wazzani pipeline
Ha'aretz, September 21, 2002 
The Lebanese government rejected at the weekend a request by the United States to suspend work on a pipeline to pump water from springs that flow into Israel, which has sparked a fresh dispute between the two already hostile neighbors.

Amman denies deal to let American troops into Jordan
Ha'aretz, September 21, 2002 
Jordan denied over the weekend a report in an American publication that Amman and Washington have been holding secret negotiations to allow American troops onto Jordanian soil in exchange for cheap oil from the U.S.

Israel invades Gaza and keeps pressure on the West Bank
Jerusalem Times, September 19, 2002
Mounting clashes with Israeli soldiers continue to claim victims among the population: Early Wednesday evening an Israeli policemanwas killed, and several bystanders wounded, when a suicide bomber blew himself up as a police patrol approached him at a bus stop at the Umm el-Fahm junction Israel stepped up large-scale raids into Gaza, mirroring similar operations in the West Bank while stopping short of the massive invasion which has brought almost the whole of the latter territory under their control.

Worlds apart
Jerusalem Times, September 19, 2002 
Since the arrest of suspected terrorists from East Jerusalem, any illusion of Jews and Arabs living together in a unified city has faded away:
Moussa Abassi insisted that this was not the time to visit the neighborhood in which he lives. The residents are in a sorry state, he said, and so is the situation. This is not the time to try to talk about peace. He himself does not remember a situation like it in his 44 years on this earth.

Refugees: Do they have a future?
Jerusalem Times, September 19, 2002 
The issue of Palestinian refugees is facing greater danger with the increasing Israeli military campaign against refugee camps in the West Bank and Gaza and the schemes that strive to end the issue while the Palestinians are passing a sensitive stage in their history.

The War of the Satellites
Jerusalem Times, September 19, 2002  
Countering Israel's channel: Prominent Palestinian journalists have claimed that the newly founded Israeli satellite channel directed at Arab audiences poses a threat in terms of helping to spread lies. They subsequently called on the PNA to develop Palestinian media domestically and abroad via a media strategy that includes satellite channels in various languages and the activation of the role of media attaches in embassies.

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