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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..

Israeli occupation troops tried to bury a Palestinian youth alive Palestinian Information Center 10/3/2003 Nablus - The veil was uncovered by Palestinian sources on a brutal crime committed by soldiers in the Israeli occupation army in the village of Beit Foreek, east of Nablus, where they tried to bury alive a Palestinian youth a few days ago. Atif Hanani, Bei Foreek's mayor, said that a group of Israeli soldiers were on patrol when they stopped 18-year old Mohammed Abdullatif Arif while he was leaving his home and began beating him violently for no reason, and released him. According to eyewitnesses, Mohammed was called back by the soldiers on the pretense that he looked at the soldiers contemptuously. Palestinian pensioner killed by Israeli fire Miftah 10/3/2003 GAZA CITY - A 60-year-old Palestinian man was shot dead and three other pensioners were badly injured when Israeli troops opened fire in the southern Gaza Strip late yesterday, Palestinian medical sources told AFP. Salim Dayumi was walking just outside his home when a sudden burst of gunfire erupted from an Israeli tank, they said. He was critically injured in the chest and died shortly afterwards. IDF proposes creating 400-meter `special security zone' around every settlement Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 When settler leaders from the Yesha Council are asked about the security implications of the separation fence, they speak of "the energy of terror" - a term often used lately by Major General Moshe Kaplinski, head of the Central Command. Adi Mintz, the current secretary general of the Yesha Council, fears "the energy of terror" will now be directed at the Jewish settlements that remain east of the fence. "That energy," he worries, "will smash up on the fence (when it's finished) and be turned on what's east of it." Mintz lives in Dolev, in a salient the settlers refer to as the "Talmonim-Dolev bloc," on the eastern side of the fence. Cop charged in killing of Bedouin man Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 An indictment was filed yesterday in the Be'er Sheva District Court against Border Police officer Alex Digudker in connection with the killing of Nasser Abu-Lakiyan at the Shoket Junction in July of this year. The details of the charge sheet, compiled by the Justice Ministry's Police Investigations Unit, confirm the findings of a Haaretz inquiry conducted a few days after the incident: Contrary to the story told by Digudker, who claims he shot Abu-Lakiyan after the latter tried to run him down with his car, the border policeman is charged with shooting the Bedouin man in the chest, despite the fact that his life was not being threatened. News Briefs: Three Palestinians injured in Qabatia south of Jenin International Middle East Media Center 10/3/2003 An Israeli special unit launched an attack at a cafe in the town of Qabatia south of Jenin city north of the West Bank. Eyewitnesses said, the unit raided the Cafe that belongs to Maher akareneh and opend random fire.... West Bank villagers fear expropriation Middle East Online 10/3/2003 Several residents of Sarra accuse Israeli army of planning their expropriation after being forced to sign blank letters. -- The residents of this village in the northern West Bank live in fear of expropriation, claiming they were forced by the Israeli army to affix their fingerprints and signatures on blank sheets at gunpoint. Several inhabitants of the small town of Sarra, which overlooks the city of Nablus, said they had been coerced by Israeli soldiers into signing blank letters. "Two weeks ago, two Israeli jeeps pulled over in front of my house and three or four soldiers searched every room after asking my family to evacuate the premises," said Sidki Awad, who runs a convenience store in Sarra. IDF places full closure on territories ahead of Yom Kippur Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 The Israel Defense Forces imposed a full closure Friday on the West Bank and Gaza Strip ahead of the Yom Kippur holiday, which beings sundown Sunday and lasts for 25 hours. Palestinian travel in and out of the two areas will be restricted to humanitarian cases only. Last week, a similar curfew was imposed ahead of the Rosh Hashanah (new year) holiday, in a move aimed at deterring terror attacks. Three Palestinians were wounded Friday, one seriously, from IDF gunfire near the West Bank city of Jenin. They were taken to an Israeli hospital for treatment. Israeli charged over child deaths BBC 10/3/2003 An Israeli army officer has been charged over causing the death of four Palestinians, three of them children. He is accused of ordering tank units to fire shells and machine guns to enforce a curfew in the West Bank town of Jenin. It was in June of last year that the killings took place. Israeli forces in Jenin started shooting and shelling to get civilians off the streets. According to the indictment against the army officer, a total of 10 tank shells were fired. Two of the dead were young brothers whose case was highlighted by the BBC. Hamas says West Bank separation fence won't stop attacks Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 GAZA - The Islamic militant group Hamas said Friday that the barrier Israel is building to separate itself from the West Bank would not prevent attacks on its population and doomed to failure the U.S.-backed road map to Middle East peace. "The wall will not protect the Zionist entity and will not stop the strikes of resistance. The day will come when this wall will eventually collapse just as the Berlin Wall collapsed," Hamas said in a statement released in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian workers suffer suffocation at Aires Palestinian Information Center 10/3/2003 Gaza - A number of Palestinian workers have suffered from suffocation and some of them fainted Wednesday as a result of inhaling teargas fired extensively by Zionist occupation soldiers at the Aires crossing to the north of Gaza Strip. Workers said that the soldiers fired the gas canisters at them while heading to their jobs at the industrial area and added that some of them were hospitalized. Palestinian families near end of saga over confiscated land Daily Star 10/3/2003 Bid to evict dozens has been in courts since 1982 - Lawyer heads last-ditch effort to have demolition orders overturned -- JERUSALEM: Youssef Ahmed al-Fakeeh looks down the hill toward the valley and points at a nearby house. “That will be next,” he says. He indicates two other hilltops on the other side of the valley. “Soon, they too will be Israeli. Wait and see.” Fakeeh, 49, is guessing, but it’s an educated guess. His house and those of his five brothers, all built next on Jabal Ein al-Samrah, are due to be demolished by the Israeli authorities soon. A little further down the hill another house, belonging to the Taher family, is destined for the same fate. Fenced in, Locked out: In the Shadow of Fortress Israel By Justin Huggler, Palestine Chronicle/The Independent 10/3/2003 The wall in Abu Dis runs down the middle of a street. You used to be able to stroll from the money changers on one side to the tea shop on the other in less than a minute. Now the round trip takes half an hour. The wall is about 10 feet high, a series of concrete slabs topped with barbed wire. And every morning, at about 7am, Khaled Ideisat, a father of seven, scrambles over it like a furtive child stealing apples. Mr Ideisat is trying to get to work in Arab east Jerusalem. Most mornings the Israeli army shoots tear-gas canisters at him. Electric Corp. foils Iranian attempt to hack its computer Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 Iranian hackers have attempted to break into the Israel Electric Corporation's computers and disrupt the power supply in Israel several times in recent months, Haaretz has learned. The Iranians, some of whom may be university students, tried to damage the computer infrastructures operating Israel's power stations. They sent viruses and attempted to overload the servers in what is known as a "denial of service" attack. IDF claims success reducing terrorism Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 Military sources say the reduction in terrorist activity and alerts are due to the security forces' successes in putting most terrorist organizations' leaders out of action as well as the restrictions imposed on Fatah and Hamas activists. The Central Command attributes the reduction in the number of alerts proof of the IDF and Shin Bet's successes in foiling attacks and arresting wanted activists in recent weeks. According to the security establishment, no known activists of Islamic Jihad in Hebron remain at large. However, IDF sources say younger activists have already begun taking the places of those who were killed or imprisoned. Israel plans 600 new homes in Occupied Territories Daily Star 10/3/2003 Arafat, Qorei slam route for latest segment of separation barrier -- Israel said Thursday it planned to build nearly 600 more settlement homes in the West Bank, fueling Palestinian anger in a move that all but overshadowed its defiance of an international outcry against a plan to build a separation barrier that cuts deep into occupied land. Palestinians view both decisions as attempts by Israel to grab land they want for an eventual Palestinian state....“The Israeli decision to continue building the wall and today’s decision to build 600 settlement units proves that the Israeli government is not serious about peace and that its goal is to draw the borders unilaterally and to sabotage the possibility for establishing a viable Palestinian state,” said the incoming Palestinian Prime Minister, Ahmed Qorei. Press dismay at security barrier BBC 10/2/2003 Arab papers deplore Israel's decision to go ahead with the second stage of a controversial security barrier in the West Bank. An Israeli paper also questions the decision, suggesting it has not been thought through. Elsewhere the Israeli press returns to the refusal by a group of Israeli pilots to take part in attacks in the Palestinian territories. Press Review: 'It amounts to illegal annexation' The Guardian 10/3/2003 Israel gives go-ahead to extension of controversial security fence -- review of the world press Israel's controversial West Bank barrier Middle East Online 10/3/2003 Israeli army eases rules of engagement near West Bank fence, Hamas says barrier will not stop attacks on Israel. -- JERUSALEM & GAZA CITY - The Israeli army is easing its rules of engagement near the barrier that is being erected in the West Bank in a bid to further prevent Palestinian attacks, a spokesman said Friday. "In order to prevent terrorists from approaching the fence with the aim of infiltrating Israel or sabotaging the construction work on this fence, the Israeli army has gradually started to ease its rules of engagement near the fence," he said...."The same engagement rules used in the Gaza Strip would apply in the West Bank" near the barrier, he added. "Any Palestinian coming too close to the fence can only have aggressive intentions." 600 More Housing Units in West Bank Settlements International Middle East Media Center 10/3/2003 One day after the cabinet decided to go ahead with building the central section of the separation wall, Israel issued tenders for 600 new housing units in the settlements of Bitar Ellit, near Bethlehem, Ma'aleh Adomim, near the city of Izarieh, and Ariel near the city of Nablus. The spokesman of the Israeli Housing Ministry Koby Bleich said Thursday that tenders are in line with the government policy to advance the needs and natural growth of "Jewish communities" in "Judea and Samaria." Zionists silent about reported arrest of Mossad cell in Arab country Palestinian Information Center 10/3/2003 Occupied Jerusalem - Israel has refused to comment on the reported arrest of a Mossad cell in an unnamed Arab country two weeks ago. Hamas representative in Beirut Muhammed Nazzal told al-Jazzera Television Wednesday authorities in an Arab country he didn’t name arrested a number of Mossad agents who were planing to assassinate senior Hamas leaders, including the movement’s politburo head Khalid Masha’al. Sources close to Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Thursday intimated to al-Jazeera that the unnamed Arab country mentioned by Nazzal was Lebanon. Israel most aggressive country on the Internet Globes 10/2/2003 A report by Internet security company Symantec says the number of attacks per Internet user on computer systems originating in Israel is greater than that from any other country. -- In a report for January-June 2003 published yesterday, Internet security company Symantec (Nasdaq: SYMC) said the number of attacks per Internet user on computer systems originating in Israel was greater than that from any other country. The report stated that 128 attacks came from Israel for every 10,000 Internet surfers, almost 30% more than the ratio of attacks originating in the US, which was in second place. Israel's 'bomb squad pigs' BBC 10/3/2003 In Israel, a new weapon is being tested to try to foil bomb attacks - pigs which sniff out explosives. While a ban on eating pork is one of the strongest taboos for Muslims and Jews alike, a young Israeli believes he has found a new use for the farmyard anima. It is the pet project of Geva Zion, a former Israeli army dog trainer. He believes it may be easier to train pigs than sniffer dogs.

Diplomacy..

Kofi Annan: "Israel's separation wall 'obstacle' to two-state solution" Electronic Intifada/United Nations 10/2/2003 United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed deep disquiet today by the Government of Israel's decisions to continue construction of a separation wall on the West Bank and build 600 new houses in the area, a UN spokesman said. Referring to a statement issued on 26 September by the diplomatic Quartet - the United Nations, United States, European Union and Russian Federation - calling on both Israelis and Palestinians to address each other's core concerns, spokesman Fred Eckhard said the Secretary-General "views both the security wall and settlements in the West Bank built on Palestinian land as serious obstacles to the achievement of a two-State solution." Palestinians to seek UN resolution on separation fence Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 The Palestinian observer at the United Nations on Friday unveiled plans to ask the Security Council to adopt a resolution demanding that Israel reverse its decision to extend the separation fence deeper into the West Bank. The cabinet Wednesday approved by a majority of 18-4 the final route for the remainder of the fence, from Elkana down to north of Jerusalem, based on a proposal by the Defense Ministry. The fence will be a total length of 430 km and cost $1 billion. U.S. says disapproves of plans for new settlement homes Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 The United States has told Israel it disapproves of plans to build more than 600 new homes in West Bank settlements, the U.S. State Department said Friday, the day after Israel unveiled its plans. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher called the plans 'detrimental to the peace process' and said all settlement activity was unhelpful because it complicated the search for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Settlements, barrier anger Palestinians Jordan Times 10/3/2003 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AFP) — Palestinian officials and Israeli doves warned Thursday that Israeli plans to build more fences and hundreds more homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank are endangering a two-state settlement to their conflict. The Israeli housing ministry earlier said a tender had been launched to build 565 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank.The announcement came a day after right-wing Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Cabinet decided to forge ahead with the next phase of a controversial barrier with the territory. The chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat warned that the moves were "killing" attempts for a two state settlement — an outcome which some Israelis warn could have devastating consequences for the Jewish state. Bush administration avoids public row with Israel on fence Globes 10/3/2003 The US administration will increase its pressure in private contacts. -- The US has decided to avoid a public confrontation over the Israeli cabinet’s approval yesterday of the route for the central section of the separation fence between Israel and the West Bank. Instead, the Bush administration will increase its pressure on the issue of the fence in private conversations with diplomats and Israel officials in Jerusalem and Washington. State Department Criticizes Israel The Guardian 10/3/2003 WASHINGTON (AP) - Israel's plan to build 565 new homes in Jewish enclaves on the West Bank drew criticism and an implicit threat Friday from the Bush administration. Settlement activity is unhelpful to peacemaking with the Palestinians, and the construction will be taken into account as the Bush administration reviews its promises of loan guarantees to Israel, the State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said....Even so, the Bush administration continued to give highest priority Friday to the formation of a Palestinian government with the resources to ``carry out action'' against terrorists. Mofaz: Iran responsible for Arad's fate; family view report Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 Iran is responsible for the fate of missing Israeli navigator Ron Arad, for his wellbeing and for his safe return home, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Friday. Mofaz held a meeting at his Tel Aviv office Friday to discuss the Vinograd report, which looked into the fate of Arad, who was captured after his plane experienced a technical malfunction and he bailed out over Lebanon in 1986. He has been missing since. Mofaz also said that efforts to release Arad would continue, parallel to steps being made on the release of other missing and kidnapped Israelis.  Court to rule if full story of Tennenbaum kidnap can be told Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 A Tel Aviv District Court judge yesterday lifted the gag order on the request filed by Haaretz reporter Yossi Melman against the blackout issued for the past three years over the story behind the Hezbollah capture of Elhanan Tannenbaum in Beirut. Haaretz attorneys Paz Mozer and Shlomit Roythman presented the request to the court earlier this week. The newspaper's petition was joined by Channel 10 television. Colombia proposes pardon for rebels holding Israelis Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 Colombia's Catholic Church will send representatives to visit the seven hostages, including four Israelis, who are being held by the rebel National Liberation Army in the mountains of northern Colombia, a bishop from the church said late Thursday night. Meanwhile, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe proposed pardoning two of the leaders of the rebel group, known as the ELN. The pardon would be in exchange for the help of senior rebels, who are jailed in Colombia, in releasing the hostages. Powell and Annan concerned about Israel's fence decision Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed the administration's concerns with the continued construction Israel is carrying out in the settlements, and the approved continuation of the security fence in the West Bank. During a meeting with foreign journalists in Washington, Powell said that "we have concerns regarding the continued settlement activity." Powell also expressed the administration's reservations regarding the decision taken by the Israeli government on Wednesday to continue construction of the security fence and noted that "President [Bush] continues to believe that the fence constitutes a problem." Stymied Administration Slams Both Sides Forward 10/3/2003 Bush Warns P.A. As Powell Raps The Settlements -- WASHINGTON — Stymied by the Israeli-Palestinian diplomatic deadlock and seemingly unwilling to risk its shrinking political capital, the Bush administration issued a round of contradictory, top-level messages this week that left observers convinced it was merely trying to buy time while appearing engaged. The apparent confusion reached its height on Monday, when President Bush told a group of visiting rabbis at the White House that he would judge Palestinian leaders by the "simple formula" of their ability to fight terrorism and that he supported Israel's so-called separation fence, although he questioned part of its route.

Human Rights..

Stay of execution for Corrie home      Al-Jazeera 10/3/2003 The Palestinian family home dedicated to the memory of Rachel Corrie has been given an 11th hour temporary reprieve. Rachel Corrie was the heroic Jewish volunteer who was crushed to death in Rafah, Gaza, in March 2003 as she tried to prevent a bulldozer from demolishing a Palestinian home. On Thursday, Aljazeera.net reported how a Palestinian house rebuilt with help from volunteers was destined to be destroyed within 24 hours.But a wave of outraged campaigning has caused the Israeli occupation authorities to reconsider razing Arabiya and Salim Shawamrah’s property to the ground, a building dedicated to American-born Rachel's memory and home to seven children. Bait Arabiya has been given another two weeks while an Israeli court decides if the Palestinian home in occupied Gaza should be destroyed for a fifth time. Jews renounce right to Israeli citizenship Al-Jazeera 10/3/2003 A group of San Francisco Jews have renounced their automatic right to immigrate to Israel in protest of the country’s refusal to extend the same right to Palestinians. Chanting "Palestine will be free," protesters handed in a petition to the Jewish Community Federation in San Francisco declaring their rejection of Israeli citizenship rights, known as Aliyah. The group of more than 100 called the act a ritual atonement in honour of the approaching Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur on 5 October. Rebuilding Jenin Electronic Intifada/UNWRA 10/2/2003 There is a hole at the heart of Jenin camp. A hole where there once stood more than 400 refugee homes. Right now the site of the hardest-fought battle of Israel's Operation Defensive Shield is still known as "ground zero" by locals, but within a year UNRWA hopes to transform several acres of mud into a community of modern shelters for almost 2,000 people....Around 2,000 people were left homeless and with little hope of getting a new home until the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent Society offered $27 million to UNRWA to rebuild the destroyed areas of the camp. Freed prisoner Ataf Alian talks of deteriorating conditions of other female prisoners Palestinian Information Center 10/3/2003 Nablus - Freed Palestinian prisoner Ataf Alian said the the general condition of female Palestinian prisoners in Ramleh Prison is deteriorating continuously due to the sever measures imposed on them by the prison administration. Alian added that the prison administration started placing a barrier in front of the screen further separating the prisoners from their visitors and attorneys. Alian, who is an activist from Islamic Jihad, added that the prisoners were banned from visiting the library, bringing in books, or practicing hobbies that help ease their confinement....Alian said that the prisoners are suffering from hair loss, skin allergies, and other ailments, but the prison administration insists that that is due to the prisoners wearing the Hijab, the Muslim veil worn by females. Prisoner put in isolation for performing Friday prayers Palestinian Information Center 10/3/2003 Nablus - Palestinian prisoners inside Asqalan Prison reported that the prison administration had placed Muhammad Barakat in segregation due to performing Juma prayers in the yard of the prison. There were reports that the administration claimed that Barakat used inciting statements in his sermon. ACT Appeal Palestinian Territories: Assistance to Civilian Victims of Conflict ReliefWeb/Action by Churches Together 10/3/2003 Violence, conflict and trauma continue into the fourth consecutive year of the Al-Aqsa Intifada (28 September 2000). 2,603 have been killed so far, and 41,000 injured, with an estimated 2,500 permanent disabilities, 500 of whom are children below the age of 17 (The Palestine Monitor, 10 September 2003); and the numbers grow as the Intifada goes on, despite all peace efforts and plans to end the hostilities between the Palestinians and Israelis. Closures continue to exacerbate unemployment, also preventing the local population from accessing medical and other essential services. Malnutrition rates among children are on a constant rise. El Al pilots condemn signatories of letter of refusal Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 A group of El Al pilots on Friday condemned their colleagues who have signed a letter refusing to carry out targeted killings in the territories, but said that they would not take any steps to punish them. "We condemn the pilots who signed the letter, not because of their opinions, but because their declaration represents incitement to refuse orders," said a letter distributed Friday among El Al pilots and signed by the chairman of the pilot's union, Captain Itay Regev. The letter said that El Al does not intend to dismiss the signatories, despite many requests that action be taken against them. 36 Israeli authors back pilots on their refusal to kill Palestinians Miftah 10/3/2003 TEL AVIV - Thirty-six prominent Israeli authors have publicly backed a group of air force pilots condemning air attacks on populated Palestinian targets, Israel Radio reported. The government and military leaders should listen to the pilots, even in regards to the attacks that target terrorists, said the authors. Israel should strive to negotiate with the Palestinians to end the occupation, said the authors. Meanwhile, Israel unveiled plans yesterday to build more than 600 new homes in Jewish settlements, drawing fresh Palestinian condemnation. Top-ranking refuser modifies his stand on pilots' letter Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 Brigadier General Yiftah Spector, the highest ranking pilot who signed the refusenik pilots' letter, yesterday expressed reservations over the letter and said he should have read it more carefully. But Spector, who is considered the group's moral guru, told Haaretz that he does not regret signing the letter and was not retracting his name from it. A small part of Spector's interview to Channel One, slated for tonight, was broadcast last night. Rhetoric Escalates Over Pilots' Rebellion Forward 10/3/2003 JERUSALEM — The shocking announcement by 27 Air Force pilots that they would refuse to participate in what they called "illegal and immoral" assassination attempts against Palestinian terrorists is hitting a raw nerve among army generals and reopening the bitter schisms in Israeli politics. While described as an "insignificant minority" — most of whom no longer fly combat missions — the rebelling pilots managed nonetheless to dominate local press coverage for days and to bring down unprecedented vitriol from top government and military leaders. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said the pilots were guilty of aiding and abetting terrorist groups. The commander of the Air Force, Major General Dan Halutz, accused them of "stabbing the Air Force in the back." And the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee voted to condemn the pilots' controversial letter as tantamount to "incitement to mutiny."

Economy..

No breakthrough in Netanyahu, Peretz talks to end strike Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 The first high-level discussions since civil servants launched strike action earlier this week berween Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Transportation Minister Avigdor Lieberman and the chairman of the Histadrut labor federation, MK Amir Peretz, ended Friday afternoon with no results. The two are scheduled to meet against on Saturday evening. Speaking to reporters before the three-way meeting began in Jerusalem, Peretz accused Netanyahu of acting "like God" and of developing a "culture of lies," Army Radio reported. September deficit hits NIS 2.8 billion Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 The Israeli government's deficit reached NIS 2.8 billion in September, according to preliminary Finance Ministry estimates published yesterday. From the start of the year, the deficit has climbed to NIS 20.1 billion, which is 32 percent above the cabinet's target for the entire year. The government had committed to a deficit not exceeding NIS 15.2 billion (or 3 percent of GDP) in 2003. Jerusalem circles project that the deficit in practice will reach NIS 30 billion this year. "Yediot Ahronot": US Army buys Soltam mortars in $25m deal Globes 10/2/2003 Soltam Systems president Moshe Charash: Potential sales for Cardom 120 mm Autonomous Self Propelled Mortar are $150 million over the next five years. -- Hebrew daily “Yediot Ahronot” quotes Soltam Systems president Moshe Charash as saying that the US Army has bought its Cardom 120 mm Autonomous Self Propelled Mortar in a $25 million deal. He said yesterday that this was only an initial order, and predicted potential Cardom sales at $150 million over the next five year Arab sources: Israeli use of Jordan, Egypt ports impractical Globes 10/2/2003 Israeli sources described the government proposal as a bad joke. 44 ships are waiting in Haifa and Ashdod Ports. -- Arab sources believe that Israeli use of Jordanian and Egyptian ports to bypass the strike in Israel’s ports is impractical. Jordanian Information Minister Nabil Sharif told the Arabic-language press that Jordan would not allow Israeli exports and imports to pass through Aqaba Port, since it would overtax the port. He added that the port was already busy, and would be unable to accept goods from the neighboring countries. Union: Strike will worsen after holiday Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Transportation Minister Avigdor Lieberman and the chairman of the Histadrut labor federation, MK Amir Peretz, will meet this afternoon in Jerusalem in an effort to find a solution that will put an end to the strikes and labor sanctions in the public sector. Meanwhile, however, the Histadrut is threatening to gradually intensify the disruption of the public sector. After Yom Kippur, the administrative and housekeeping workers at government hospitals, together with the laboratory technicians, are expected to begin labor sanctions. Behind the Lines / Three lies and a strike Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the top echelons of his ministry have been working for over a month now on a well-orchestrated campaign with messages that were considered again and again, the aim of which is to break the strike of the country's dock workers. During the first week since the campaign went on the air, with the generous help of Israel's journalists, it has been successful beyond all expectation. Israel says reaches deal with Turkey to buy water Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 ISTANBUL - Israel said Friday it had agreed to buy 15 million cubic meters (530 million cubic feet) of water annually from Turkey for 20 years, but did not disclose the price it would pay in its first ever water import deal. Turkey is Israel's closest Muslim ally and the two countries have military cooperation agreements. They have been discussing a deal on water sales for a long time and reached a tentative accord last year, but then failed to agree on a final price. Israelis relapse into gloom on economic future Globes 10/3/2003 After rising for four months, the Globes-Smith population expectations index fell to near its lowest ever level in September. -- After rising continuously for four months from 50 to 68 points, the Globes-Smith population expectations index fell back to 56 points in September (1996 baseline = 100). The index reflects the public's economic mood. The September 2003 index is only six points above its lowest-ever level of 50 points, recorded in March 2003.

People..

Bus destroyed in suicide bombing to be displayed at NY fair Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 JERUSALEM - A bus destroyed in one of the deadliest Palestinian suicide bombings will be displayed at a New York fair alongside booths promoting Jewish culture and tourism to Israel. Relatives of the bombing's victims are outraged, and Israeli government officials have quietly questioned the wisdom of the plans by ZAKA Rescue and Recovery, an Israeli disaster response group. The idea is bring home the horror of the terror attacks that have plagued Israel, as well as to raise funds for ZAKA, a group of mostly ultra-Orthodox Jewish volunteers who assist ambulance crews and identify and collect body parts for burial. The state of things Ha'aretz Friday Magazine 10/3/2003 Journalist Ofer Shelah has written a book accusing the Israel Defense Forces of military adventurism, wastefulness, inflexibility, and lack of efficiency and professionalism. An attack - and a proposal for changing our national agenda -- Ofer Shelah, who writes a political-military column for the mass-circulation daily Yedioth Ahronoth and is an expert on sports in general and basketball in particular, did not write a book about the Israeli mentality. His book, "The Israeli Army: A Radical Proposal," ("Hamagash Vehakesef" in Hebrew) deals with the Israel Defense Forces, but actually documents the Israeli mentality that the IDF represents more than any other institution.   Diplomatic privilege Ha'aretz 10/3/2003 The new Danish ambassador to Israel, Carsten Damsgaard, and his male partner have received a warm reception in Israel. On Middle East policy, however, the atmosphere may not be so pleasant -- Carsten Damsgaard is the first foreign ambassadorto Israel who is an openly declared homosexual. The new Danish envoy presented his credentials to President Moshe Katsav three weeks ago, arriving with his partner, Dr. Esben Karmark, a lecturer and researcher in business administration. Karmarkstood next to the wife of the new British ambassador and at the conclusion of the ceremony was presented to the president. The atmosphere was cordial. Damsgaard commented, in a first interview, that "the president was very pleasant, warm and sympathetic to myself and my partner."

International..

Politicians outraged at Battle’s ‘interference’ Daily Star 10/3/2003 MPs indignant over us envoy’s criticism of charges against Aoun -- A storm of criticism blew in Beirut on Thursday, centering on US Ambassador Vincent Battle, who had accused the authorities a day earlier of using the judiciary as a tool to pressure opposition figures. After a visit to the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, Battle voiced his concern about freedom of expression in regards to legal proceedings raised against former army commander General Michel Aoun. Beirut summons Aoun to appear before court Middle East Online 10/3/2003 Exiled Christian leader charged with harming Lebanon's dignity and capacity abroad, inciting sectarian strife. -- BEIRUT - A Lebanese judge Friday summoned exiled Christian leader Michel Aoun to appear before him on October 14, defying US criticism of the legal action against him for anti-Syrian remarks to a congressional panel. Washington, Ankara discuss deal to crack down on PKK in Kurdistan Daily Star 10/3/2003 But turkish military fears having hands tied - Erdogan pushes Parliament for quick vote on sending peacekeepers to Iraqi north: ‘We plan to wrap up this issue in a very short time’ -- Ankara and Washington have agreed an action plan to banish the threat of Turkish Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq, a Turkish official said Thursday, while Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he wanted Parliament to decide “rapidly” whether to send Turkish peacekeeping troops to Iraq. Ankara has called on Washington to take concrete action to deal with Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants, also known as KADEK, as it considers asking Parliament to send troops to help keep the peace in Iraq. CIA Completed Plans for Attacking Iran, Sharon Could Strike First! An Nahar 10/3/2003 Is a U.S.-led war against Iran in the works? Jonathan Steele, writing in Friday's issue of 'The Guardian', points to a number of 'uncomfortable similarities' between current American pressure on Iran and the build-up to the Iraq war. Demands for international inspectors to scan Iran's sites for hidden programs, coupled with a deadline for the Islamic Republic to declare all its nuclear programs by the end of October are enough to cause worry. The threat of punitive action completes the picture....According to Steele, Ariel Sharon and his 'neo-conservative friends in Washington' are behind much of the pressure, using the 'Coalition for Democracy in Iran' as a front for their campaign. Meanwhile, Sharon hints that Israel might bomb Iran's nuclear sites. Lebanon eyes Iraq for investment Middle East Online 10/3/2003 Lebanese private sector wants to remake Iraq as its prime export market in search for outlet for its products. -- Iraq is destined to be a major market for Lebanese exporters in search of an outlet for their products, participants of a "Doing Business with Iraq" conference said Friday. "We have a responsibility within the context of the reconstruction of Iraq and toward the Iraqi people who have gone through such difficult times," said Lebanese Economy Minister Marwan Hamadeh at the opening of the meeting, attended by representatives from the Iraqi Governing Council and Lebanese and American businesses. Iran conditions signature of nuclear protocol Middle East Online 10/3/2003 Among conditions for signing deal on snap nuclear inspections are exclusion of non-nuclear military sites, worship places. -- TEHERAN - Iran has imposed four conditions for signing on to snap UN inspections of its atomic energy program, among them the exclusion of non-nuclear military sites and places of worship, highly influential former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said Friday.

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