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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 tanks return to torment Rafah Al-Jazeera 10/14/2003 At least three Palestinians are reported hurt, one of them seriously, in the latest invasion of Rafah refugee camp in the south of the Gaza Strip.Israeli tanks and soldiers launched the new assault early Tuesday - hours after a damning human rights report condemned previous raids on the same refugee camp.The invasion force consists of about 40 tanks, armoured personnel carriers and helicopter gunships. One Citizen Killed By Israeli Troops in Hebron, Fourteen Wounded in Tulkarem International Press Center 10/14/2003 HEBRON, Palestine, October14 ,2003 , (IPC + Agencies) - - Israeli occupation forces (IOF) shot dead Tuesday a Palestinian citizen in the West Bank town of Dura, near the city of Hebron. Palestinian sources said IOF, stationed near the (illegitimate) Jewish settlement of “Tjihout” opened fire at Palestinian citizens, killing one unidentified citizen,” Palestine News Agency (WAFA) reported.... In the city of Tulkarem, fourteen Palestinian citizens were shot and wounded by Israeli occupation forces on Tuesday. Palestinians: 20 wounded in new IDF operation in Rafah Ha'aretz 10/14/2003 Dozens of armored Israel Defense Forces vehicles reentered the Rafah refugee camp in the Gaza Strip early Tuesday morning, in the latest operation to uncover arms-smuggling tunnels. Military sources confirmed that an operation was underway, saying it was a continuation of the three-day mission that began Friday. Some 20 people were wounded, Palestinian hospital sources said late Tuesday. A senior IDF officer in the Gaza Strip told Army Radio that this new stage of the operation - officially referred to a 'Root Canal 2' - could last several days. `All Israelis are to blame' for Rafah Ha'aretz 10/14/2003 Almost all the walls of Yussuf's home are riddled with shrapnel. Its dusty contents have been thrown to the floor and holes have been drilled in the walls to serve as shooting slits for IDF snipers. -- "As far as I'm concerned, if they find a tunnel under somebody's house, they can bury them in it, but how is this our fault? I used to say that anyone who listened to suicide bombers was crazy, but after what happened here, I say that every Jew, wherever he is, all the Israelis, are to blame for what happened here," Jamal Yussuf declared yesterday. Israeli Troops Wounds Three, one critically, Tears Down Three Houses in a Raid on Rafah International Press Center 10/14/2003 RAFAH, Palestine, October14 ,2003 , (IPC+Agencies)-- Tens of Israeli tanks supported by combating helicopters invaded early Thursday the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah and shot wounded three Palestinians and wrecked havoc, Palestinian security sources said....Dr. Mossa remarked that the Israeli soldiers had hindered the medical crew to enter Al Salam neighborhood of Rafah today morning to vacate the wounded people to hospitals while the Israeli soldiers shot fire towards every thing they encountered in the area. Occupation forces storm Balata refugee camp Palestinian Information Center 10/14/2003 Nablus - Zionist occupation forces stormed the Balata refugee camp at dawn today near the West Bank city of Nablus and broke into a number of houses at the pretext of searching for wanted Palestinian activists. Eyewitnesses said that about ten army jeeps sped into the center of the camp and encircled the house of Salah Al-Jurmy. The soldiers broke into the young man's house while firing extensively in all directions but could not find him. Breaking News: Fourteen Palestinians wounded in Tulkarem International Press Center 10/14/2003 17:10- - At least fourteen Palestinian citizens were shot and wounded as IOF invaded the city of Tulkarem, (IPC) / 13:30-- Saeb Erekat, Palestinian Cabinet minister, denounced the expulsion orders as a violation of international human rights conventions, AP reported. / 13:20-- Israel decides to expel 15 Palestinian administrative detainees from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip soon, Israeli sources confirmed. / 11:05-- An IOF Commando stormed the house of Salah Al Jermi in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, after they had used dynamites to blast the door open, shot heavy fire and messed up all the house contains, IPC said.... Israel ignores UK family's call for truth Al-Jazeera 10/13/2003 A British family's quest for the truth over the shooting of their son is being stonewalled by Israel. That is the accusation being laid by the family of peace activist Tom Hurndall who was shot in the head as he tried to rescue a group of terrified children. They say Israel has continued to ignore their request for justice after an official government report into the shooting of peace activist turned out to be full of glaring inaccuracies. The 21-year-old was shot at by an Israeli sniper in the city of Rafah, Gaza, while he went to the aid of some stranded children in April. Terror cell tries to infiltrate from Jordan Ha'aretz 10/14/2003 Two of the terrorists were killed and the other two wounded in an exchange of fire with the Jordanian soldiers. -- Four armed terrorists attempted to infiltrate Israel from Jordanian territory north of Bet She'an, Jordanian Information Minister Nabil A-Sharif reported yesterday. The four men were spotted by Jordanian border guards as they moved toward the Jordan River at dawn in order to enter Israel and carry out a terrorist attack, A-Sharif said....The men were carrying weapons and a large amount of ammunition. Quds center warns of Zionist swindlers Palestinian Information Center 10/14/2003 Occupied Jerusalem - Al-Quds center for social and economic rights has warned Jerusalemites of Zionist swindlers who claim to help owners of houses threatened with demolition. The center said that those crooks claim to be working with the municipality and the interior ministry then blackmail the Jerusalemites in return for sparing their houses. It noted that they offer their help in return for large sums of money ranging from three thousand to fifteen thousand dollars. Israeli army resumes wanton destruction in Rafah Palestinian Information Center 10/14/2003 Occupied Jerusalem - Encouraged by American acquiescence and feeble international reactions, Israel on Tuesday resumed its wanton rampage of home demolitions and destruction of basic infrastructure in Rafah, at the southern tip of the Gaza Strip. Palestinians sources said occupation troops and armor reentered several refugee camps around Rafah and resumed wanton destruction of Palestinian homes and property. Army Back operating in Rafah Refugee Camp International Middle East Media Center 10/14/2003 Dozens of Tanks, APCs, and military Jeeps re-incurred Monday evening into Rafah refugee camp. Army source described the incursion as continuity for the three days operation that began on Friday. Eyewitnesses reported that army was operating in Brazil and Salam neighborhoods. and that gun fire and explosions were heard coming from their direction. Local residents said that troops were faced with strong resistance, but expressed concerns that this operation would produce another human tragedy and more homeless residents. Police find bomb lab run by Israeli Jew Ha'aretz 10/14/2003 Jerusalem police who Wednesday discovered a bomb lab run by an Israeli Jew believe that the explosives were to be sold to criminals, although are still investigating whether he planned to sell to Palestinian militants as well. Hanan Yadgarov, 29, from Pisgat Ze'ev was arrested two weeks ago after selling a three-kilogram bomb to an undercover police officer for NIS 25,000, said the city police spokesman, Shmulik Ben-Ruby. Yadgarov was remanded for 10 days. Israel Sweeps Rafah Again An Nahar 10/14/2003 RAFAH REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip - Israeli troops backed by attack helicopters and tanks searched for smuggling tunnels in this refugee camp on the Egyptian border Tuesday, the second large-scale raid here in less than a week. Also Tuesday, the Israeli military ordered 15 Palestinian detainees expelled from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip. Human rights lawyers say such expulsions are a violation of international law; but Israel argues that along with house demolitions, they create an important deterrent against attacks on Israeli civilians.

Diplomacy..

Arafat, Peres Support Unofficial Treaty The Guardian 10/13/2003 JERUSALEM (AP) - Yasser Arafat and Israeli opposition leader Shimon Peres lent their qualified support Tuesday to a symbolic peace treaty drawn up by former Israeli and Palestinian government officials and veteran negotiators. However, there was growing opposition to the 50-page document from Palestinian refugee groups and Israeli government officials. Iraq stands at Syria's side News24.com 10/13/2003 Damascus, Syria - A member of Iraq's US-appointed Governing Council said on Monday that any attack against Syria was considered an attack against Iraq. Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim, who heads the Shi'ite Muslim group, the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, also said sending Turkish peacekeepers to Iraq will not solve the country's security crisis. Al-Hakim's three-day visit to Syria, which was for a long time a close ally of his group, comes a week after Israeli warplanes attacked a camp near Damascus that it claimed was a training centre for the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad. After three years of carnage, does this secret plan provide a new road to peace in the Middle East? The Independent 10/14/2003 Israeli opposition politicians, intellectuals and former Palestinian ministers have united to propose a peace plan to put an end to years of bloodshed in the region. The plan, a first draft of which was finalised in secrecy in Jordan at the weekend, is being put forward by the authors to prove that there is an alternative to the slaughter of the past three years. Although the Geneva Accords, as the proposals are known, have been rejected by Ariel Sharon's Israeli government, there is hope that they might revitalise the debate in the Middle East. The sacrifice: Palestine's coveted right to return The Independent 10/14/2003 The deal took two and a half years of subterfuge and secret talks to negotiate and is 50-pages long, but the core of the unofficial peace plan finalised at the weekend is an agreement to give up the right of return for Palestinian refugees in exchange for Palestinian sovereignty over the Temple Mount, or Haram al-Sharif. Despite the scathing reaction from Israel's government to an agreement forged by its enemies inside and out of Israel, the deal appears to have the imprimatur of Yasser Arafat, who was fully briefed on the details. US leans on Israel to change route of its security wall Sydney Morning Herald 10/14/2003 After publicly criticising the fence and wall that Israel is building in the West Bank, the Bush Administration is quietly negotiating with the Israeli Government to change the route of the barrier. Israel has addressed complaints raised by the United States about particular sections of what it calls a security fence, without drastically altering plans that Palestinians say would prevent the creation of a viable Palestinian state. Israel's effort to avoid a public clash with the US comes as the barrier draws growing international opposition and the Bush Administration has suspended efforts to prod Israel and the Palestinians towards peace talks. Analysis / PA withholds official response Ha'aretz 10/14/2003 The Palestinian Authority has yet to respond officially to the Geneva Accord peace plan unveiled on Sunday in Jordan. Well-placed Palestinian sources who were asked last night about the silence explained that the PA is reluctant to respond to a draft peace plan that basically endorses Palestinian relinquishment of a right of refugee return. According to the terms of the draft peace accord, Palestinian refugees would settle permanently only in states that agree to absorb them. That is, in order to return to live within the borders of Israel, the refugees would have to win official Israeli consent for their settlement here. Arafat: Accord bid to win peace, but lacks official status Ha'aretz 10/14/2003 Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, responding with caution to the Geneva Accord peace proposal drafted by former senior Israeli and Palestinian officials, Tuesday called it a bid to achieve Middle East peace, but noted that the document had no official standing. Arafat did not comment on the specifics of the deal, which gives Palestinians a state in virtually all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and divides Jerusalem, but largely keeps Palestinian refugees from returning to homes in what is now Israel. "Our policy is not to undercut any attempt to reach the peace of the brave," Arafat said, pointing out that the document has no official standing. Arafat: Situation in Rafah Is Disastrous International Press Center 10/14/2003 RAMMALLAH, October14 , 2003 (IPC + WAFA)-- President Yasser Arafat, in his battered compound in Rammallah City, described Thursday the situation in Rafah as appalling and catastrophic. Speaking to reporters in the aftermath of his meeting with South Africa’s representative, Mr. Mohammed Ghantt, President Arafat said “the situation in Rafah is tragic and as we all know that all our cities, villages and camps in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are besieged. Asfour castigates signatories to the "Switzerland Document" Palestinian Information Center 10/14/2003 Nablus - Adnan Asfour, one of the Hamas Movement leaders in the West Bank, has lashed out at the Palestinian signatories of the so-called "Switzerland Document". He said that the Palestinians signing that document were doing so to preserve their own existence since they had linked their destiny to the Zionist entity. The Hamas official described the document as a new chain in the series of Palestinian Authority illusions. Palestinian leaders condemn “Swiss Accord” Palestinian Information Center 10/13/2003 Occupied Jerusalem - The so-called “Geneva Agreement” or “Swiss Accord” has triggered strong reactions from Palestinian public leaders who dismissed as “as unbinding to the Palestinian people.” The agreement, formulated in Geneva last week by a group of Palestinian and Zionist figures, including former officials, effectively concedes the right of return for some five million Palestinian refugees in exchange for Palestinian statehood. “This agreement represents the views of those who signed it, it doesn’t represent the views of the Palestinian people,” said Jamil Majdalawi, a leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Committee defending refugees' rights urges PA to declare position towards "Switzerland document" Palestinian Information Center 10/13/2003 Nablus - The committee formed to defend the Palestinian refugees' right of return yesterday issued a statement urging the Palestinian Authority and the PLO to declare their positions vis-ŕ-vis the so-called "Switzerland document". The committee noted that the document called for a permanent solution after which no demands would be tabled. It said that the document stipulated the return of only few thousands of refugees into their original homeland and the relocation of millions others in other countries. Accords generate little hope in West Bank The Independent 10/14/2003 Palestinian opinion was bitterly divided as details of the 'Geneva Accords' peace plan became known, but most, overwhelmed by daily hardship, have little faith in the Initiative after experiencing 10 years of talks and violence. Dr Randa Abu Rabi of Nablus said: "It is sweet to talk about a two-state solution' but it is difficult to implement it,''. She said the deep rift between Israelis and Palestinians could not be healed by a group of people talking in a hotel room. Return Brigades lash out at signatories of "Switzerland Document" Palestinian Information Center 10/14/2003 Gaza - The Peoples Army - Return Brigades, associated with the Fatah Movement, issued a statement lashing out at the Palestinian signatories of the so-called "Switzerland Document". The statement, a copy of which was made available to the Palestinian Information Center, said that those signing the document, which surrendered the right of return, were outcasts in the Palestinian society. List of names holds up prisoner exchange Ha'aretz 10/14/2003 Sources in Lebanon believe that a number of obstacles still stand in the way of a prisoner-exchange deal between Israel and Hezbollah. Jerusalem is now waiting for Hezbollah's response to the list of names it passed on to the organization of German mediator Ernest Uhrlau. Ilan Biran, who is handling the matter on behalf of Israel, is expected to travel to Germany soon to get word of Hezbollah's response. Israeli Captive May face Trial at Home Once Freed by Hizbullah An Nahar 10/14/2003 Israel and Hizbullah are closer than ever to a prisoner swap, Israel's foreign minister says, as the families of Israeli captives are arguing among themselves and in court over the emerging deal. Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said the outlines of the deal _ how many prisoners, their country of origin and the criteria for their release _ were being wrapped up in talks between a German mediator and Ilan Biran, director general of Israel's Defense Ministry....But Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said in an interview with The Jerusalem Post that if the rumors about Tennenbaum turned out to be true he would stand trial in Israel. Hariri: Another regional war is in nobody’s interests Daily Star 10/14/2003 Prime minister rips syria accountability act -- Prime Minister Rafik Hariri accused Israel Monday of seeking to create a new fait accompli through its “hostile behavior,” and in all probability of trying to “ignite war” in the region. The prime minister addressed a variety of regional and local issues at the regional meeting of the consultancy firm Deloitte and Touche at the Phoenicia Inter-Continental Hotel in Beirut on Monday. He also spoke at a conference held in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on Sunday. Ranteesi advocates rebuilding all Rafah destroyed houses to foil Zionist scheme Palestinian Information Center 10/14/2003 Gaza - Dr. Abdul Aziz Ranteesi, political bureau member of the Hamas Movement, has held the USA and Europe responsible for Zionist occupation army's rampage in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Affirming that the Palestinian people would never forsake their lands, Ranteesi said that the mischievous Zionist vast destruction in Rafah coupled with the American-European campaign against charitable societies pointed to a serious conspiracy targeting the very existence of the Palestinian people. Israeli press gripped by reports of nuclear war plans on Iran SpaceWar.com 10/12/2003 Newspapers were gripped here Sunday by US and German press reports of Israel's nuclear capabilities and that spy agency Mossad has drawn up preemptive plans to attack six nuclear sites in archfoe Iran. The Yediot Aharonot, Maariv and Haaretz dailies splashed on a Los Angeles Times report that modified US-made cruise missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads on submarines, allowing Israel to launch atomic weapons from land, air or sea. The three newspapers also carried reports in Monday's edition of the Germany Der Spiegel magazine that a special Mossad unit received orders two months ago to prepare plans for strikes on half-a-dozen targets in Iran suspected of being used to prepare nuclear weapons. UN Department of Public Information to host international media seminar on peace in Middle East in Seville, 21-22 October ReliefWeb/United Nations 10/14/2003 NEW YORK, 14 October (UN Department of Public Information) -- The question of peace in the Middle East will be the subject of an international media seminar organized by the Department of Public Information (DPI) on 21 and 22 October in Seville, Spain.Co-hosted by the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean Foundation, the two-day meeting will bring together present and former policy-makers from Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as well as senior United Nations officials, international experts and representatives of the world media. Israeli-Palestinian Opposition Peace ‘Pact’ Under Fire Arab News 10/14/2003 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, 14 October 2003 — A draft peace agreement formulated by Israeli opposition figures and Palestinians came under fire in Israel yesterday, with a former premier calling it “delusional” and the justice minister saying it was a “failed agreement”. Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon told the Jerusalem Post daily that the sides already had the international “road map” peace plan and therefore “it is not helpful to make people think there might be something else.”...Beilin predicted in Cairo yesterday that the unofficial peace pact will produce a “big revolution” toward peace. “The adoption of the document will make a big revolution in the Middle East,” Beilin said after he and Abed Rabbo discussed the draft with Egyptian officials.

Human Rights..

New military order sequesters Palestinian land west of wall International Solidarity Movement 10/14/2003 Kicks farmers out of their orchards, claiming land is “Israel” -- [Occupied West Bank] Contrary to what the Israeli establishment has been saying, the government of Ariel Sharon has made another big land grab. A new order issued by the military commander of the West Bank announced to Palestinians that they are no longer allowed to be on their land west of the separation wall. The order, which was distributed in Hebrew and illegible Arabic last week, states that the land west of the wall is a closed military area and that only Israelis, those eligible to be Israelis under the Law of Return (i.e. practically every Jew in the world) or those issued special permits would be allowed to be on the land. (See below for English translation of order) Israel to expel West Bank prisoners Al-Jazeera 10/14/2003 Israel’s military has ordered the expulsion of 15 Palestinian detainees from the occupied West Bank to the Gaza Strip, in a repeat move widely condemned by international human rights groups. The army said on Tuesday the prisoners were transferred from West Bank prisons to a detention centre on the edge of the occupied Gaza Strip. They were given 48 hours to appeal the move. Mohammed al-Dura's father barred from medical travel Ha'aretz 10/14/2003 Citing "security considerations," the Shin Bet security service is refusing to allow Jamal al-Dura, the father of Mohammed al-Dura, to travel to Egypt for the purpose of undergoing medical treatment there. Mohammed al-Dura became a symbol of the Al-Aqsa Intifada when he was shot and killed on the second day of the conflict in an incident at the Netzarim junction on September 30, 2000. Jamal al-Dura was injured in the incident while trying to protect his son. Separation Wall Gate Closed, Villagers Away From Home for 9 Days International Middle East Media Center 10/14/2003 70 farmers from Jauss village near Qalqyliah are locked west of the separation wall for the ninth executive day without being allowed to go back to their homes. Nine days ago, farmers were allowed to move from their village into their field west of the separation wall through an army controlled gate. According to villagers, since then, army denied them access back to their homes and that they are left without food. Sharif Omar, one of the villagers, told reporters that only last Saturday Red Cross managed to pass food to besieged villagers. Israel/Occupied Territories: Wanton destruction constitutes a war crime Amnesty International 10/13/2003 Amnesty International condemns in the strongest terms the large-scale destruction by the Israeli army of Palestinian homes in a refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah, which made homeless hundreds of people, including many children and elderly people. "The repeated practice by the Israeli army of deliberate and wanton destruction of homes and civilian property is a grave violation of international human rights and humanitarian law, notably of Articles 33 and 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and constitutes a war crime," said Amnesty International. MIFTAH Strongly Condemns Israel’s Expulsion of 15 Palestinian Detainees Miftah 10/14/2003 The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH) strongly condemns Israel’s decision to illegally expel 15 Palestinian detainees from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip. MIFTAH urges the international community to voice protest against these measures, which constitute a direct violation of international law, and set a new precedent to Israel’s policies of human rights violations. The Wall in Rafah: Built on the Rubble of Homes and Misery of Families International Press Center 10/14/2003 The Israeli iron-made wall along the borderline, separating the Palestinian and Egyptian borders, south of the Rafah governorate built by the Israeli occupation forces, has expelled 1,210 Palestinian families, making up more than 7,100 civilians and destroyed 158 Palestinian stores , institutions, and warehouses. A report prepared by the Palestinian National Information Center (PNIC) in the State Information Service (SIS) showed that working at the wall has begun since a year and a half, aiming at imposing different geographical features on the land. Furthermore, it showed that this wall was built to protect the Israeli military outposts erected at the area of the borderline to launch a long timed war against the Palestinian people, in addition to protecting the Israeli soldiers from the resistance operations, infiltration attempts, and weapon smuggling. PRCS Responds to Humanitarian Emergency in Rafah Palestine Red Crescent Society 10/14/2003 Rafah: On 9 October 2003, at approximately 10:30pm, the Israeli Army invaded Tal As-sulttan and the Rafah border area with Egypt. Israeli Army tanks and bulldozers supported by fighter helicopters entered from Zu’rob Circle through Al-Qasas region in Yabna destroying and damaging homes, cars, streets and just about anything that got in the way before redeploying to the outer perimeters of Rafah at 11:00pm on 11 October 2003. The consequences of this invasion resulted in many casualties, destruction and damage to infrastructure and the displacement of 1000-2000 individuals. PRCS: Weekly Press Release 10-4/October 2003 Palestine Red Crescent Society 10/12/2003 During this reporting period, the Israeli Army has continued to violate the First and Fourth Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by denying freedom of movement to Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulances and its medical teams, who were threatened by gunfire, humiliated and verbally abused. Delays, denial of access and arbitrary searches had a negative impact on the sick and the wounded in Khan Younis, Qalqilia, Tulkarem, and Jenin. "We are the stranger, and God loves us" Come And See 10/13/2003 Many who dare show their faces slip out right after the service, fearful that the police will be waiting for them. -- Dozens of Evangelical churches among the foreign workers still operate throughout Israel in private apartments, shelters and rented industrial premises. The Way of Life Filipino church in Netanya closed as did the Power of Resurrection African church in Tel Aviv. Many have joined the Immigration Authority's voluntary departure program....The Ustares family had joined the Immigration Authority's voluntary departure program. "Voluntary departure?" Ustares asked bitterly, "Better to say I surrendered to the fear they instilled in my daughter. I would never leave voluntarily." IDF hands expulsion orders to 15 Palestinian detainees Ha'aretz 10/14/2003 The Israel Defense Forces decided Tuesday to expel 15 Palestinian administrative detainees from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip, with GOC Central Command Major General Moshe Kaplinski signing the expulsion order. The detainees now have 48 hours to appeal the order in the High Court of Justice. According to security sources, the detainees are all "involved in terror activities," and their expulsion is designed to prevent them from resuming such activities on their release from administrative detention. Israeli Occupation Authorities to Expel 15 Palestinian Prisoners International Press Center 10/14/2003 GAZA, Palestine, October 14, 2003 (IPC + Agencies) - -The Israeli occupying authorities issued orders of expelling 15 Palestinian prisoners from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip. Israeli military sources said that 15 Palestinian “administrative” detainees, [imprisoned without charges or trial], in the West Bank will be deported within 48 hours, and were moved to an Israeli detention camp near the "Erez" checkpoint, north of Gaza Strip, prior to their expulsion there, Yedioth Ahronoth news website reported.The unlawful act, which is in clear violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, was approved by the Israeli Supreme Court, a thing that moved several human rights group to protest this act, which became a policy of the current Israeli government.

Economy..

UAVs from Israel's Aeronautics guard US-owned oilfields in Angola Globes 10/14/2003 Chevron will pay $4 million to Aeronautics Defense Systems, in a two-year contract for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle protection in Angola. - Israeli-made Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are being used in protecting US-owned oilfields in Angola, sources inform ''Globes''. -- ChevronTexaco Corporation (NYSE:CVX) will pay $4 million to Israeli UAV manufacturer Aeronautics Defense Systems, for protection and patrol services in the areas where it operates in Angola. An Israeli company brokered the deal between Chevron and Aeronautics. The contract is for a two-year period. Fitch denies planning special report on Israe Globes 10/14/2003 The company's representatives were surprised at reports they were mulling a downgrade of Israel’s rating, Jerusalem sources said. -- International ratings agency Fitch Ratings is soothing Israeli investors....The senior officials said the flood of publicity in the Israeli media early this week, about the possibility that Israel’s credit rating could deteriorate due to the large budget deficit and the rise in the government debt/GDP ratio, had been a surprise to the Fitch representatives. Firms may sue over illegal Israel labels Al-Jazeera 10/14/2003 A number of British and French companies are planning to file law suits against customs for charging tariffs on Israeli products believed to have originated from the Occupied Territories. This is the first time corporations have challenged customs authorities over the long-running issue that has split the European Union, left the Commission impotent to apply European Community law and is centred on illegally produced goods. Greek court rejects Russian extradition request for Gusinsky Globes 10/14/2003 Gusinsky, who owns a 27% stake in Maariv Holdings, was arrested in Athens in August on an international warrant. --A Greek appeals court has rejected a Russian request for the extradition of former media magnate Vladimir Gusinsky, wanted by Moscow on suspicion of a $250 million fraud, Reuters reported today.

People..

Palestinian Activists: We Rescued Jewish Settler Family Taking Wrong Turn into Qulandia Camp International Press Center 10/14/2003 RAMALLAH, Palestine, October14 , 2003 (IPC + Agencies)-- A Jewish settler family from the illegal Jewish colony “Kiryat Araba’a” who took a wrong turn on Sunday and ended up in Qalandia refugee camp, was rescued by Palestinian resistance activists, Palestinian sources said. The activists, from the “Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades”, the military wing of Fateh movement, told IPC correspondent that they noticed an Israeli license-plated car surrounded by scores of Palestinian citizens and children in Qulandia camp, south of the city of Ramallah, and inside were four passengers: a man, a woman and two children. Controversial director upsets Cairo festival Al-Jazeera 10/14/2003 Egyptian film-makers have urged organisers of the Cairo International Film Festival to withdraw the sole Egyptian film from the official competition because its director backs normalisation of ties with Israel. Dozens of film-makers and critics on Monday demanded the withdrawal of Girls' Loves because its director Khalid al-Hagar made a previous film backing normalisation with Israel, said a statement in Cairo. The group was critical of the 1993 film, A barrier that divides us, which tells the story of an impossible love between an Egyptian man and a young Jewish woman in London. Palestinian Non Governmental Organization Group of the week Palestine Monitor 10/12/2003 The First Ramallah Group (FRG) is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit organization. It is not affiliated with any political, religious or other party, and serves as a multi-purpose cultural, social and sports center. The activities of the FRG work towards the enhancement and strengthening of the capabilities of Palestinian youth through the belief in the values and ethics of scouting in order to effectively contribute to the building of Palestinian civil society.

International..

Saudi police fire on demonstration Al-Jazeera 10/14/2003 Saudi police have fired their guns during a rare protest as hundreds of people took to the streets in the capital Riyadh.Shots ripped through the air above the protestors as baton-wielding police on Tuesday arrested up to 50 young men. Those taking part in the demonstration were calling for greater political reforms during the country's first ever human rights conference. The London-based Movement for Islamic Reform called for the rally against the detention of opponents. Islamic nations cite U.S. 'threat' CNN 10/13/2003 PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) -- The host of the world's largest summit of Islamic nations has denounced the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq and Israel's treatment of Palestinians, saying they represented a threat to "the very survival" of the worldwide Muslim community. "We are gathered here at a time characterized by great challenges confronting the Muslim Ummah (community)," Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said. "The threats of unilateralism, globalization and terrorism, the precarious situation in the Middle East and the uncertain future of Iraq ... have only served to threaten our very survival." EU Accuses Iran of Torture and Liberties Abuses Yahoo! News 10/13/2003 LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - The European Union (news - web sites) accused Iran Monday of torture and a catalog of civil liberties abuses, but foreign ministers said they wanted to maintain a dialogue on human rights. For that reason, the 15-nation EU stopped just short of agreeing to table a resolution condemning Iran at the United Nations (news - web sites), saying instead it would "convey its serious concern." Crowds welcome Iran Nobel winner BBC 10/14/2003 Thousands of people have greeted Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi on her return to Tehran. Human rights groups and non-governmental organisations, swelled by crowds of local people, gathered at the city airport to give her a hero's welcome. The human rights activist, who has already used her elevated profile to urge Tehran to allow greater freedom of speech, called for political prisoners to be released as she stepped off the plane.

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