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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..

IOF Kills a Palestinian and Wounds Five Including Three Minors International Press Center 10/16/2003 RAFAH, Gaza Strip, October 16, 2003 (IPC + WAFA)-- The Israeli occupying forces (IOF) killed morning today a Palestinian and wounded five others including three children during an Israeli incursion in “Al Barazil” neighborhood of Rafah, south of Gaza Strip, IPC Correspondent said....Ali Mossa, director general of Abu Yousef Al Najar hospital of Rafah, said that the medical crews and ambulances were disallowed to enter the neighborhood by the occupying forces, and threatened them to open fire at their tires if they try to cross....Eyewitnesses told IPC correspondent that the Israeli forces have razed vast areas in the “Al Barazil” neighborhood; the amount of the devastation has not yet been recorded. Hay Salaam is invaded International Solidarity Movement 10/16/2003 Gaza 14 Oct 03 - Mohammed and Laura - Hay Salaam is invaded in a further escalation of attacks in Rafah -- The army is still occupying the area, which is now under strict curfew. It has been extremely difficult to find out what has been happening inside, due to the area being totally secured. However, some reports have come out by contacting locals by mobile phone. Residents said that water and electricity networks have been bulldozed and seven houses have been completely demolished and two have been partially demolished. Four olive groves have been razed. IOF Kills One Citizen in Tulkarem and Injures Two Including a Child International Press Center 10/15/2003 TULKAREM, Palestine October 15, 2003, (IPC + Agencies) - - One Palestinian citizen was shot dead Wednesday while two others were wounded, one critically, by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) in the village of Rameen, east of Tulkarem....“Bilal Zaidan was driving his car when Israeli soldiers, stationed near the [illegitimate Jewish] settlement of "Innab", opened fire at his car. Zaidan was wounded but –as usual- the Israeli soldiers obstructed an ambulance to save him,” eyewitness Mossa Abu Saa’, told IPC’s. Earlier on Wednesday, at least 15 Palestinian citizens were arrested, including a girl, in different incidents in the West Bank on Wednesday....Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinian olive trees were burned Wednesday as Israeli troops fired missiles on arable land near the town of Ithna, west of Hebron, IPC correspondent said. Al Brazil Is Being Invaded Now International Solidarity Movement 10/16/2003 The situation in Rafah has intensified further still.At midnight, yet another area of Rafah was invaded by the Israeli army.This time it was the Al Brazil refugee camp, again situated along the border with Egypt.It is a continuation of the previous raids on Yibnah and Block J, and the ongoing operation in Hay Salaam. The army has advanced at least 400 metres deep into the area, with 65 tanks as well as a number of bulldozers and APC's.Two Apache helicopters were also deployed.One Palestinian man has been reported killed.Four people have been injured. Shin Bet arrests PA official for smuggling weapons into Gaza Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 The Shin Bet security service released Thursday that it had arrested Palestinian Authority official Akram Tubasi in September on suspicion of buying weapons in Egypt and smuggling them into the Gaza Strip, Israel Radio reported. Defense sources also implicated former PA security affairs minister Mohammed Dahlan in the weapons-smuggling, Army Radio reported. Tubasi, a 31-year-old Rafah resident who served in the Palestinian coast guard, told his questioners that he used tunnels in Rafah to smuggle the weapons to Gaza, security officials were quoted as saying. Arrests over US convoy attack BBC 10/16/2003 Palestinian police have arrested at least three people in connection with the attack on a US diplomatic convoy in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. The suspected militants were detained at the Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza. However, a subsequent effort to apprehend another militant at the camp had to be aborted when supporters of the man traded fire with the security forces. The suspected militants are said to belong to the Popular Resistance Committee - a militant splinter group from Yasser Arafat's mainstream Fatah movement. Israel dismisses arrests in Gaza bombing as meaningless Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 Israeli security sources Thursday dismissed arrests made by Palestinian police in connection with the deadly roadside bombing of a United States diplomatic convoy in Gaza the day before, Army Radio reported. Palestinian authorities said earlier Thursday that they detainedeight militants from the Popular Resistance Committees in connection with the bombing, in which three Americans were killed. But Israel rejected the claim, the radio said, maintaining that the arrests were an imaginary measure designed to placate the U.S., and that there was no evidence to link the three to the attack. Breaking News: Settlers Attack Palestinian Quarter in Jerusalem International Press Center 10/16/2003 12:00-- a squad of Jewish settlers attacked the Palestinian quarter of al wad in the old town of occupied east Jerusalem, WAFA said./ 11:35-- Israeli occupying forces rounded up four Palestinians in Al Rama village, south west of Jenin, WAFA said. / 11:25-- Israeli occupying forces cordoned off two houses in Qulqelia city and arrested its dwellers, IPC said.... News Briefs: Hamas claim to have blown up an Israeli Jeep in Gaza International Middle East Media Center 10/16/2003 Al-Qassam brigades, the military wing of Hamas said in a leaflet they issued Wednesday that they detonated a bomb near a military jeep east of Gaza city. The leaflet claimed that the jeep was completly destroyed and that all soldiers inside it were either killed or wounded.... Gaza Operation By Israel Leaves Many Homeless Washington Post 10/15/2003 Effort to Find Tunnels in Refugee Camp Is Called Most Destructive Incursion -- RAFAH REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip, Oct. 14 -- Salahuddin Street was a canyon of rubble Tuesday, the guts and souls of a dozen houses bulldozed into hills of splintered furniture, crushed concrete blocks and tattered clothing. The ravaged street near the Gaza Strip's southern border with Egypt was just a snapshot of a broader swath of devastation: more than 230 homes razed, bulldozed or heavily damaged, according to international aid organizations that describe this as the Israeli military's most destructive incursion into Gaza since the outbreak of the Palestinian uprising three years ago....Col. Pinky Zoaredez, Israel's commander in southern Gaza, said Palestinians and international aid organizations had "exaggerated the numbers" and that soldiers had destroyed "no more than a dozen houses."....But a Washington Post reporter counted a dozen houses demolished or heavily damaged on three blocks of Salahuddin Street in the Rafah refugee camp's Yibneh neighborhood -- just one of at least a half-dozen communities within the camp that have been attacked by the Israeli forces. IDF allows group of 500 worshippers to visit Joseph's Tomb Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 Some 500 Jewish worshippers visited Joseph's Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus overnight Wednesday with the consent of the Israel Defense Forces. The visit is the first after a months-long ban by the army and the group is the largest allowed into the shrine since Jews were first prevented from entering Area A (under full Palestinian control) after the start of the intifada. The tomb was almost destroyed by Palestinians at the beginning of the intifada. Profile: Popular Resistance Committees BBC 10/16/2003 Until Wednesday's bomb attack on a US diplomatic convoy in the Gaza Strip, the Popular Resistance Committees had attracted little attention. Several of its members have been arrested by the Palestinian police in connection with the attack, but the group denies any involvement. Regarded by many observers as a fringe group, the organisation is believed to have several dozen members, mainly dissident or breakaway members of Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement and former Palestinian security officials. Palestinians bomb US convoy The Guardian 10/16/2003 Attack on envoys a 'political disaster'-- Palestinian militants took their war to the Americans yesterday by launching a large bomb attack on a US embassy convoy driving through Gaza, killing three American security guards and severely wounding a diplomat. It was the first such attack on a foreign target during the past three years of intifada, and drew a threat from Washington to "pursue the perpetrators until they are caught and brought to justice". A source close to the Palestinian Authority, who regularly met members of the American missions to Gaza City, said the bombing was disastrous for the Palestinians. Analysis / The PA is ambushed Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 The Palestinian Authority leadership was surprised yesterday by the attack in the Gaza Strip that killed three American security personnel employed by the U.S. Embassy. Insofar as mass reaction in the territories could be measured, this surprise was shared by the Palestinian public as well. The reason for the surprise is not hard to find: Yesterday's incident in Beit Hanun marked the first time since 1967 that an attack in the territories or within the Green Line was aimed at an American target. The attack sparked consternation in Yasser Arafat's office, and the PA chairman denounced it, ordering that an investigation be launched. In pictures: US convoy hit BBC 10/16/2003 The US number plates visible among the wreckage showed immediately that this was no ordinary attack. Analysis: New front in Mid-East conflict? BBC 10/16/2003 If the attack on the US convoy in Gaza now means that Americans are targets in Israel and the Palestinian territories, the implications are grave. The Americans would become drawn directly into the conflict and might lose the unique status they have of being a broker, even though their policy is clearly aligned with one side. It has been one of the curious phenomena in the area that there have not been such attacks until now. Waiting wall: Barrier divides land and lives Daily Star 10/16/2003 Palestinian residents of Al-Ezariya and Abu Dis spend many of their waking hours at crossing points -- AL-EZARIYA, Palestine: The elderly couple struggled with their heavy bags. One by one, they hoisted them from a van over to the concrete blocks and up onto an adjacent rock. The man climbed up on the rock and lifted first one, then a second bag, both full of vegetables, to the top of a concrete block adorned with a Star of David. A helpful passerby grabbed the bags from the other side. When all four bags were safely over, the elderly couple themselves climbed across....This is Al-Ezariya, a village on the outskirts of Jerusalem next to Abu Dis. The concrete blocks form a wall that snakes up and down the hillsides and severs this village from the city, some five minutes away by car. Palestinian Factions Deny Any Responsibility for the Gaza Explosion, FBI Arrives to Gaza for Investigation International Press Center 10/16/2003 GAZA, Palestine, October 16, 2003 (IPC + Agencies)-- All the Palestinian resistance factions denied yesterday any responsibility for the bombing of a US convoy near the entrance of Biet Hanoon, which left three CIA personnel dead. Fateh organization had released a statement, clearing itself from the responsibility of the bombing. “It is definitely neither the trend of Fateh nor any other Palestinian national faction to target the Americans or internationals working or visiting the Palestinian territories,” the statement said. Boim: terror warning drop could lead call-up to be cancelled Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 If the number of terror warnings decreases, then it's possible that there will no longer be a need for the emergency reservist call-up, Israel Radio quoted Deputy Defense Minister Ze'ev Boim as saying Thursday. Boim, who said the number of warnings stands at 46, was speaking in connection with a meeting between a subcommittee of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and military representatives to hear the army's justification for its emergency reservist call-up, Israel Radio reported.

Diplomacy..

U.S. Vetoes Resolution Condemning Israeli Security Wall Washington Post 10/14/2003 UNITED NATIONS -- The United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution late Tuesday that would have condemned Israel for building a barrier that cuts into the West Bank. The American veto came after the United States suggested an alternate draft that would have called on all parties in the Middle East struggle to dismantle terrorist groups. The United States was the only country to vote against, using its veto as one of five permanent members of the council. Four of the 15 members of the Security Council abstained: Bulgaria, Cameroon, Germany and Britain. Bush blames PA for death of 3 in Gaza Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 U.S. President George Bush yesterday blamed the Palestinian Authority's failure to fight terrorism for the deaths of three Americans in the bombing of a diplomatic vehicle in Gaza, saying the PA's lack of a terrorist-fighting security force "continues to cost lives." Three American security guards were killed and a diplomat was injured in the attack on the American convoy in the northern Gaza Strip. Spokesman for Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other militant Palestinian groups were quick to deny responsibility for the unprecedented attack on an American target, the first since the start of the intifada three years ago. EU demands action from Arafat after roadside bombing in Gaza Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 European Union leaders Thursday increased pressure on Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat to crack down on Palestinian militants after the bombing of a U.S. diplomatic convoy in the Gaza Strip that killed three Americans. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana called Arafat following the attack Wednesday. Solana's spokeswoman Cristina Gallach said the message was "condolences and emotion won't do, we need action." Palestinians denounce US veto of resolution against barrier Daily Star 10/16/2003 Erekat: move will be considered a green light - Jewish state describes result as ‘defeat’ for Syria, touts America’s ‘coherent policy’-- Israel voiced its satisfaction Wednesday after the US vetoed a UN resolution condemning the construction of a separation barrier across the West Bank, a move which the Palestinians said served as a green light to the controversial project.“We are satisfied with the veto imposed by the Americans who are pursuing a coherent policy by refusing to prevent Israel from equipping itself with the necessary means to defend itself against terrorists,” said a senior Israeli official on condition of anonymity. “The fact that European countries such as Germany and Britain also abstained during the vote illustrates thatthere has been a positive change in attitude.” US urges citizens to leave Gaza Sydney Morning Herald 10/16/2003 The United States yesterday urged all US citizens to leave the Gaza Strip and asked the Israeli Government to assist in evacuating any Americans there after a deadly bomb attack on a US diplomatic convoy, the State Department said. In addition, the department, through the US embassy in Tel Aviv, advised Americans in the West Bank "to take all available precautions against possible further attacks". Palestinians: U.S. was warned of the dangers Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 Senior Palestinian Authority security officials claimed yesterday that in the past months, they had repeatedly warned U.S. officials to change travel routines in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. The PA security officials said they warned Americans that routine movements in GMC vehicles that have diplomatic license plates and conspicuous bodyguards could be dangerous. Members of militant Palestinian opposition groups could be collecting information about routine movements of the U.S. vehicles and personnel, the PA officials cautioned. Report: Israel trying to keep U.S. from selling arms to Egypt Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 Israel is trying to prevent the United States from selling progressive weapons systems to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Army Radio reported Thursday. According to the report, Israel is in particular trying to block the sale of satellite-guided Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bombs, which are intended to accurately hit their target even in adverse weather conditions. Countries bordering Israel must not get these precision bombs, Israeli sources were quoted as saying, adding such sales would put a dent in the Israel Defense Force's qualitative military edge over other Middle East armies. U.S. calls Rafah demolitions 'Self-Defense' International Middle East Media Center 10/16/2003 The United States said on Tuesday that Israeli house demolitions in a Gaza Strip refugee camp were self-defense against "terrorism." Israeli forces have flattened at least 130 homes in the Rafah camp near the Egyptian border, making more than 2,000 Palestinian refugees homeless, UN officials say. U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, asked to comment on Israeli operations at Rafah, said: "We continue to be very concerned about terrorism. We understand Israel's need to defend itself. We've always said that Israel needs to consider the consequences of its actions and that's all we have to say about those particular events." U.S. targets Arafat for blocking reforms Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 Secretary of State Powell urges PMQureia to take action against militants-- U.S. President George Bush's blaming yesterday of the Palestinian Authority for the Gaza bombing put the U.S. administration's attitude firmly in line with Israel's. "This continues to cost lives," Bush said in a written statement as he flew to California for an overnight visit en route to Asia. "Palestinian authorities should have acted long ago to fight terror in all its forms." He said he condemned the attack in the strongest terms and that the United States was working with authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. Peace Now activist, MK Melchior address Senate on road map Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, which met on Wednesday to discuss the future of the Middle East road map, heard a survey on the settlements from Dror Etkes, director of Peace Now's Settlements Watch Project. Etkes proposed during the session, entitled "The Middle East Road Map: Overcoming Obstacles to Peace," that instead of deducting Israel's investments in the territories from the loan guarantees to Israel, the U.S. should transfer the money to a fund for resettling the settlers within the Green Line. Frustration shows as Patten challenges Israel Palestine Media Center 10/16/2003 EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Describing the situation in the Middle East as the most depressing since he became European Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten has urged the international community to confront Israel over actions which threaten to undermine the peace process. Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday (15 October), Mr Patten tacitly questioned Israel’s commitment to an internationally backed peace plan, which at its end envisages two viable states "living side by side". Bomb attack highlights pivotal role of US in region The Guardian 10/16/2003 Three killed by blast were with cultural attaché on his way to interview scholarship candidates in Gaza -- In the back streets of Gaza's refugee camps they have little doubt about why they believe Ariel Sharon has a free hand to bulldoze their homes, rocket their neighbourhoods, and cage the West Bank behind a vast "security fence". It is because America lets him to do so. Perle rips new plan for peace Washington Times 10/15/2003 JERUSALEM — Pentagon adviser Richard Perle yesterday denounced an unofficial peace plan negotiated between Israeli opposition leaders and moderate Palestinians, saying it would damage Israel's security, undermine its government and "would be illegal in the United States." He added: "In a democracy we elect people to represent us and [opposition groups negotiating with external opponents of the state] seems to me fundamentally undemocratic." Palestinians loathe US foreign policy BBC 10/16/2003 A crowd gathers round the wreckage of a United States diplomatic car ripped apart by a bomb placed on the main road from Israel into the Gaza Strip. As American investigators drive up to the scene hours after the blast, the people surge forward and swarm around them. The chanting becomes louder. Then the stones begin to rain down - bouncing off the cars and forcing the Americans to flee. The crowd disperses only when the Palestinian security forces open fire above their heads. The investigators speed off in their bullet-proof vehicles. Berri accuses US of backing Israeli plans for violence Daily Star 10/16/2003 Speaker Nabih Berri accused the United States on Wednesday of backing an Israeli plan to drive the Middle East into a new wave of violence by not curbing the Jewish state after its warplanes raided an alleged Palestinian training camp inside Syria. “I fear that the United States will proceed in obeying the Israeli will and long-time plan to divide the region into small parts just as the Balkans were divided in recent years,” he said during his weekly meeting with MPs. Syria accuses Israel of trying to fuel 'war against Islam' Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, quoted by the state news agency Thursday, told Israel its military zeal would not intimidate Syrians and accused it of trying to fuel "the war against Islam". Israel "should know that no matter how big their military might grows they will not succeed in achieving their goals or in planting fears in us," Assad said in a speech at the summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Malaysia. In day-long UN SC meeting, Palestine observer says Israeli security wall involves de facto annexation of occupied land Electronic Intifada/United Nations 10/14/2003 In a day-long Security Council meeting today, 44 speakers raised concerns regarding the security barrier being built by Israel in the West Bank. Opening the meeting, which had been requested by Syria on behalf of the Arab League, the Permanent Observer for Palestine said Israel was committing a war crime against the Palestinians by building an expansionist wall within occupied Palestinian territory. US blocks action on Israeli 'wall' BBC 10/16/2003 The United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israel's controversial West Bank barrier.The draft, introduced by Arab states, declared that the structure was illegal under international law and that construction must be halted. Israel says the barrier is necessary to protect Israeli civilians from attacks by Palestinian gunmen and suicide bombers.But Palestinians argue that it is encroaching on more Palestinian land and making a number of Israeli settlements in the border areas permanent....Angola, Chile, China, France, Guinea, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, Spain and Syria voted in favour of the resolution. Bulgaria, Cameroon, Germany and Britain abstained. The US was the only one vote against the draft. Geneva Accord makes no mention of `right of return' Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 The term "right of return" is not mentioned in the Geneva Accord signed last Sunday in Jordan by Palestinian and Israeli representatives. This is apparent from the full text of Article 7 ("Significance of the refugee problem") obtained by Haaretz. In addition, in the accord, Israel does not recognize responsibility for the creation of the refugee problem. In the last paragraph of the accord, the sides agree that the UN should adopt the document in full and pass a special resolution that will replace and annul its previous resolutions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In this way, it would also annul General Assembly Resolution 194 about the refugees. Analysis / U.S. loses interest in the road map Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 The deadly attack on the American convoy in the Gaza Strip yesterday will not affect United States policy on the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, say sources in the Prime Minister's Bureau and the Foreign Ministry. Washington will pursue its public commitment to the road map, together with no involvement on the ground, and will continue making sure Israel does not go too far in its reactions and moves. Since the fall of Mahmoud Abbas's cabinet, President George Bush has lost interest in the political process and motivation. Al Qedwa Disappointed of US Veto Thwarting UN Resolution Condemning "Apartheid Wall" International Press Center 10/15/2003 NEW YORK, October 15, 2003 (IPC + Agencies)-- The Palestinian U.N. permanent observer, Nasser Al-Qedwa, grieved over the American decision and said there can be no peace process so long as Israel is building the barrier. "You cannot have this construction of the expansionist wall and simply pretend that the Road Map exists," Al-Qedwa said. "It's either or.” Al-Qedwa said some ideas "were non-starters for us," citing attempts "to add elements in grossly imbalanced way — specifically if somebody wants to condemn Haifa (explosion attack), without condemning the invasion of Rafah, or condemning suicide bombings without condemning war crimes. This is nonsense." Palestinians Dread America's Wrath After Bombing Reuters 10/16/2003 JABALYA, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - Palestinians said they feared retribution from the United States after three American security guards were killed in a bomb attack on a U.S. embassy convoy in the Gaza Strip Wednesday. The blast occurred on the edge of the large Jabalya refugee camp near Gaza City, a stronghold for Palestinian militants involved in a three-year-old uprising against Israel for statehood that began after U.S.-brokered peace talks collapsed. "We wonder what (U.S. President George W.) Bush will do now," lamented Ahmed, a worried resident of Jabalya. "I guess he is mad at us." Gaza bomb attack: strategy shift? Christian Science Monitor 10/16/2003 The first attack against US officials in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict raises the question of a new militant tack. -- JERUSALEM – One after another, Palestinian officials Wednesday sought to distance their cause from a deadly attack against a US diplomatic convoy in the Gaza Strip, urging the US not to react precipitously. The blast - which killed three Americans and injured another - was the most significant direct attack on a US target since Israelis and Palestinians resumed outright warfare against each other three years ago. Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat denounced the attack as "an ugly crime." The PA's caretaker prime minister, Ahmed Qureia, said that "we strongly condemn this incident and we will ... find the source of this attack." Two militant groups denied involvement in the bombing. China: Israel Ocupation is the Reason of the Middle East Violence International Press Center 10/16/2003 NEW YORK, October 16, 2003 (IPC)-- The Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations, Wang Fwang Ya, urged the U.N. yesterday to exert more efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East in order to put an end for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as possible as it can. In a general session for the Security Council about the situation in the Middle East, Mr. Ya expressed his deep concern on the present situation and said that "peace process stands at a crossroad again"...."The Israeli occupation of the Arab lands is the reason of the Middle East problem..." Bush calls anew for Palestinian authorities to stop terror attacks USA Today 10/16/2003 ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President Bush blamed Palestinian authorities Wednesday for the deaths of Americans in an attack in Gaza, saying their failure to create terrorist-fighting security forces "continues to cost lives." "Palestinian authorities should have acted long ago to fight terror in all its forms," the president said in a written statement as he flew to California for an overnight visit en route to Asia. US seeks answers in Gaza rubble BBC 10/16/2003 There was nothing military oriented, clandestine or even controversial about the US convoy that was blown up on Wednesday in Gaza. The victims were the bodyguards of embassy officials travelling to interview young Palestinian candidates seeking scholarships to study in America. "They were murdered by terrorists, the same terrorists who have killed so many others and who are killing the dreams of the Palestinian people," said Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington.

Human Rights..

Court halts Palestinian expulsions, IDF names three more Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 The High Court of Justice yesterday issued a temporary ban on expelling 15 West Bank Palestinians to the Gaza Strip until Sunday, pending an appeal to the military authorities, while the IDF issued expulsion orders against three others. The High Court issued an interim injunction banning the IDF from expelling 15 Palestinians in administrative detention. The IDF moved the 15 to a detention facility at the Erez crossing on the Israel-Gaza border, where they were given 48 hours to appeal the expulsion order. Owners of demolished homes without recourse Jerusalem Times 10/16/2003 Since the beginning of the intifada, the city of Rafah has been subjected to several Israeli incursions that resulted in the demolition of more than 1,000 homes, leaving more than 2,000 Palestinian families homeless. The situation resulted in a new problem: lack of housing to be used by distraught families until the Ministry of Housing and UNRWA find suitable residence for them. With the recent regression in security affairs and the reintroduction of home demolition, the problem became more complicated. Families are living on the streets or scattered among the homes of kin, at the same time looking for a permanent place to live. Update on Unlawful Transfer of Palestinians Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 10/16/2003 The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, together with Ad-Dameer Association for Human Rights, is representing 17 of the 18 Palestinians detainees currently issued with an "assigned residence" order, effectively unlawfully transferring them from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip. PCHR and Ad-Dameer have submitted an appeal on behalf of the detainees to the Israeli military legal advisor and an Israeli military appeals committee is scheduled to convene on Sunday, 19 October at 8:30am at Erez military court.Pending the outcome of the appeal, PCHR and Ad-Dameer will then submit a further appeal to the Israeli High Court of Justice. Medical Concern for Palestinian detainee held in Ashkelon Prison Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 10/15/2003 PCHR is gravely concerned about the health of Palestinian detainee, Zuhair Zuhdi 'Ali Mohammed, 37, from Gaza city, who is currently detained in Ashkelon prison.Mohammed was transported to hospital this morning following rapid deterioration in his condition. According to a PCHR lawyer who has been representing Mohammed, he was transferred to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon this morning.He is expected to be moved tomorrow morning to Ekhilov Hospital in Tel Aviv to undergo an open-heart surgery. Mohammed was arrested by Israeli Occupying Forces on 27 August 2003 at the Rafah Terminal on his way to Egypt.Following his initial arrest he was transferred to Ashkelon prison.He had been denied access to legal counsel for 7 days. Transfer Turns Gaza into a Prison for West Bank Residents International Middle East Media Center 10/15/2003 In what appears to be a larger scale measure, the commander of the army central command, Major General Moshe Kaplinsky signed an order to deport 18 administrative detainees, residents of the West bank, to the Gaza Strip. Security sources said Tuesday that army was examining the expulsion of 25 West Bank detainees to Gaza and also cases of family members of resistance activists who took part in military attacks inside Israel, including the wife of a Hamas "wanted" leader. Army source said that they would like to see the process of deportation speeded up to produce the "required deterrence effect". Canadian citizen arrested by Israeli police; to be deported International Solidarity Movement 10/15/2003 Mostafa Henaway, a 23-year-old student from Toronto, Canada was arrested by Israeli police this morning in the Israeli town of Afula.Mostafa was subjected to interrogation by Israeli secret service all day and is currently being held in a jail cell in Haifa, told he will be deported. A Canadian of Egyptian heritage, Mostafa was detained with two other foreign nationals, UK citizen Claire M. and Swiss national Elsa S. while waiting for a cab in Afula.Claire and Elsa were later released but Mostafa put under arrest because according to the arresting officer, he “looked like a beatnik.” Detained by the Israeli Army whilst buying bananas International Solidarity Movement 10/16/2003 Tulkarem - Roy R. - 16 Oct 03 -- Hi everyone, This may be the last lengthy report before I start on my journey home. So here goes. We left Ramin on Tuesday to go once more to Tulkarm. Tulkarm is a Palestinian town but the illegal occupation of Palestine means it is not a town free to conduct is own affairs. We had heard that an incursion by the Israeli army was possible so we went to the town to try to prevent any human rights abuses upon Palestinians. However, it was our group of international observers whose basic human rights were abused. We were outside of the building where we were staying, buying bananas before walking around the town to observe. An armed, enclosed Jeep drove past the top of the street stopped, reversed and sped toward us with its searchlight blazing in our eyes. Another quickly moved in behind us, trapping us between the two. The soldiers told us we shouldn’t be there and ordered us into the back of the jeep. Wall disrupts Palestinian schoolyear Jerusalem Times 10/16/2003 The Israeli occupation authorities is currently building the Apartheid separation wall which separates the Palestinian cities - Jenin, Tulkarem, Qalqilia, Ramallah, Beitlehem and suburbs of Jerusalem - from the rest of the Palestinian cities inside Israel. It’s expected that the length of the wall could reach 360 km, while it is possible to extend the separation wall including the second wall plan to reach 650 km in length, in which the length of the total wall length will reach after its completion to triple the length of the “Berlin Wall” and double its size. Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories Oct 9 -15 Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 10/16/2003 10 Palestinians, including 3 children, killed by Israeli forces / Israeli forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip / Israeli forces moved into Rafah refugee camp, killed 8 Palestinians and destroyed 170 houses/ Israeli forces moved into Qalqilya and Tulkarm and imposed a curfew/ Continued arbitrary arrests and detentions / More areas of agricultural land were razed in the Gaza Strip / Indiscriminate shelling of Palestinian residential areas continued / A house in Nablus was destroyed by Israeli forces as part of the continued campaign of retaliation against the families of Palestinians accused of involvement in attacks against Israeli targets / Israeli forces ordered the transfer of 18 Palestinians from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip / Continued siege on the OPTs / Continued construction of the “separation wall"

Economy..

Economy in brief Jerusalem Times 10/16/2003 More than half of Palestinian households say life deteriorated in August: A new survey conducted by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) on the socio-economic conditions of Palestinian households during the month of August found out that more than half of interviewed people reported that the overall well being of their households was worse in August compared with the previous month, while only 9.1% reported that it is better....Wall eats up historical sites: The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities expressed concern that the separation wall Israel is building inside the occupied Palestinian territories is going to eat up most of the historical and tourist sites in the West Bank. Fayyad: Reform is essential despite political situation Jerusalem Times 10/16/2003 Finance Minister, Salam Fayyad, was the keynote speaker at a fundraising dinner in London on Saturday October 4th, organized by the Welfare Association for the benefit of Palestinian children. Fayyad expressed his happiness for joining in the event describing it as the most noble and worthy cause. Fayyad stressed in his speech that "nearly two million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza now living in poverty," and "virtually no segment of the population has escaped the ill effects of this deterioration." Public sector strike set to resume Sunday Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 Public sector sanctions are on again from Sunday. Around 50,000 workers in ministries and public offices, including NII (the National Insurance Institute) and the Employment Bureau, will not attend to the public, answer telephones, or handle mail. The workers, who stopped the sanctions for the Sukkot holiday, decided to renew them after talks between the treasury and union representatives reached an impasse. The talks were on planned structural changes in ministries.

People..

Showing life as it was, Palestine Avant 1948 gives photographic glimpse of the past Daily Star 10/16/2003 Carefree life depicted is astonishing to outsiders and Palestinians alike -- An Armenian with black hair rests his rifle next to a frayed cloth aiming at an unknown target as the bare branches of a tree provide shade. The year is 1948, the place Palestine. Jerusalem is being besieged by hordes of armed Zionists who are ready to storm into an Armenian convent in the biblical capital of Palestine. The Armenian’s face is hidden from the camera, but his defense of the homeland and images of a carefree life before the 1948 forced exodus of Palestinians are traced in a photo exhibition currently showing at Beirut’s French Cultural Center in Damascus Road. Poll: Arafat's popularity surges after Israeli expulsion threat Ha'aretz 10/15/2003 Israeli threats to expel Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat have led to a surge of support for the embattled leader among his people, according to a Palestinian poll released Wednesday. Arafat's popularity rose from 35 percent in June to 50 percent, and 80 percent of the respondents said the increase was the direct result of the Israeli threat, the poll said. "The results show a large increase in Arafat's popularity not seen during the last five years," wrote the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, which conducted the poll that surveyed 1,318 adults in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestinians Find Their Voice Online Online Journalism Review 10/15/2003 English-language news Web sites provide more voices and viewpoints for Palestinians who live in the region, as well as the growing number living abroad. See a list of top Palestinian news sites below. -- Palestinian Internet users have had many choices when it came to staying up with the conflict with Israel on Arab-language news sites. Now there are a growing number of English-language sites that emphasize the Palestinian position, and are carrying that position to a far wider audience. A crazy idea that captured imaginations Ha'aretz 10/16/2003 When Prof. Alexis Keller revealed to his father, the Swiss diplomat Pierre Keller, that he was participating in an initiative to reach understanding between Israel and the Palestinians, his father thought he was crazy. That was two and a half years ago. Keller the father was not the only one. The dean of the philosophy faculty at the University of Geneva, Prof. Pierre Alain, thought likewise. But the latter became enchanted with the idea and decided to help Alexis Keller to set up the first tentative contacts at the university and at the Keller family chalet in the Alps. Palestine Goes to Yamagata with "Debris" International Press Center 10/16/2003 GAZA, Palestine, October 16, 2003, (IPC)- - The Palestinian documentary film "Debris" by Abdel Salam Shehada participated in the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival, which ended its activities today in the city of Yamagata in Japan. In a telephone call, the award-winning Palestinian director Shehada said that "Debris" was the only Palestinian movie that participated in the festival, along with 30 other films from all around the world. The organizing committee picked "Debris" out of 830 documentary films running up for this festival. Book: Crimes of War: What The Public Should Know Crimes of War Project October 2003 "..a vital and indispensible resource for anyone desiring to confront and halt violations of International Humanitarian Law and to challenge the impunity of those guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity." - English and Arabic editions

International..

Syria targeted for US sanctions Al-Jazeera 10/16/2003 Syria has been dealt a huge blow by American politicians from the House of Representatives who voted 398-4 to impose sanctions. The US House of Representatives blames its near unanimous decision to sanction Syria on the country's alleged ties to armed groups and purported efforts to obtain nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The legislation, the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Act, also calls on Damascus to end its occupation of Lebanon. U.S. Tightens Squeeze on Syria to Leave Lebanon An Nahar 10/16/2003 The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a bill providing for political and economic sanctions against Syria if it fails to discontinue its alleged support of terrorism and withdraw its army from Lebanon. The vote in the 435- seat house was 398-4 with five abstentions and 28 absentees, marking what the Beirut press portrayed on Thursday as the "worst setback in U.S.-Syrian relations for decades." Malaysian Urges Muslims to Unite Vs. Jews The Guardian 10/16/2003 PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday told a summit of Islamic leaders that ``Jews rule the world by proxy'' and the world's 1.3 billion Muslims should unite, using nonviolent means for a ``final victory.''His speech at the Organization of the Islamic Conference summit, which he was hosting, drew criticism from Jewish leaders, who warned it could spark more violence against Jews. Iran agrees to tougher nuclear inspections The Guardian 10/16/2003 Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the international atomic energy agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, today said that Iran had agreed to a tougher inspection regime of its nuclear programmes. Speaking in Tehran, where he arrived last night in an attempt to avert an international crisis over an alleged weapons programme, Mr ElBaradei said that Iran's national security chief, Hassan Rohani, had told him he would accept inspection visits with no advance notice. American Friends of Likud Condemns Terrorist Attack in Gaza, Says Egypt Bears Responsibility U.S. Newswire 10/15/2003 NEW YORK, Oct. 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In a statement released this morning, American Friends of Likud strongly condemned the terrorist attack that killed three U.S. diplomats in the Gaza strip today. "This outrageous attack falls squarely at the feet of both the Palestinian Authority and the government of Egypt" said Dr. Julio Messer, president of American Friends of Likud. "The Palestinian Authority's responsibility stems from their utter refusal to take any real action against terrorist organizations. This is just another indication of how Palestinian terrorism is not just a threat to Israel, but also to America and the entire west." French Jews Call For Prosecuting ‘Criminal’ Sharon Islam Online 10/16/2003 PARIS, October 16 (IslamOnline.net) - In an unprecedented event, a thousand French Jews Wednesday, October 15, urged to have Israeli Premiere Ariel Sharon prosecuted for his “criminal policies” against Palestinians, and supported the notion of a Palestinian state with occupied east Jerusalem as its capital. In a strongly-worded statement entitled “Another Jewish Voice”, the signatories said they are against the oppressive practices by the Israeli army in Palestinian-ruled areas. Libyan paper gagged for Arab criticism Al-Jazeera 10/16/2003 Libyan authorities have ordered the indefinite closure of a pro-government newspaper for criticising leaders of some Gulf states. According to the official news agency Jana, the Revolutionary Permanent Court met on Tuesday evening to consider articles printed in al-Zahf al-Akhdar newspaper's latest issues. "They handed out a verdict to temporarily halt the publication of the newspaper." US dismay over Blair's stance on EU defence Financial Times 10/15/2003 Tony Blair, UK prime minister, has dismayed the Bush administration, which believes he has embraced European Union efforts to set up an independent military structure outside Nato. The US has received mixed signals from London despite assurances from UK diplomats that Britain would seek to scupper such moves. Donald Rumsfeld, the US defence secretary, raised the issue in a meeting with Britain's Geoff Hoon at the informal gathering of Nato defence ministers last week in Colorado. Condoleezza Rice, White House national security adviser, has telephoned Sir Nigel Scheinwald, Mr Blair's chief foreign policy aide, to express her concern.

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