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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..

Palestinians: two people killed by IDF gunfire Ha'aretz 11/6/2003 Two Palestinians were killed by Israel Defense Forces gunfire in separate incidents on Thursday, Palestinian sources reported. IDF soldiers fired at a taxi circumventing a roadblock in the West Bank, killing a passenger, Palestinians said. An IDF official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a passenger threw a bag at soldiers, and the taxi driver ignored orders to halt, before soldiers opened fire. Earlier Thursday, IDF soldiers killed a Palestinian woman in a sweep for militants in the West Bank city of Nablus, witnesses said - a day after Israel announced it would ease West Bank blockades to boost Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia. A Palestinian Mother Killed In Israeli Incursion Islam Online 11/6/2003 NABLUS, November 6 (IslamOnline.net) - A Palestinian woman was killed in a fresh rampaging Israeli incursion into the northern West bank city of Nablus early Thursday, November 6, a few hours after Jewish settlers chopped down hundreds of olive trees grown on Palestinian farmland in the area. Backed by helicopter gunships, some 30 Israeli army patrols pushed into the northern neighborhoods of the city, carrying out strict house-to-house searches allegedly in search of "wanted" Palestinians and ammunitions, eyewitnesses told IslamOnline.net....The incursion came a few hours after Israel announced it was relaxing its blockade of Palestinian towns in the West Bank except Nablus and Jenin...."On the contrary, checkpoints in the city of Ramallah for example became more strict," eyewitnesses were quoted by Al-Jazeera as saying. IOF Slays a Palestinian Woman in Nablus, Arrests 16 Civilians in other Cities International Press Center 11/6/2003 PALESTINE, November 6,2003 (IPC+Agencies)_ Emtiyaz Abass Abu Rass, 40, was killed Thursday early morning when the Israeli occupying forces opened indiscriminate fire towards the citizens’ houses,causing the fatal murder of her, during the incursion into the old town of Nablus city, Palestinian medical sources said. The Israeli occupying forces (IOF) had arrested at least 16 Palestinians Wednesday in several cities in the West Bank....In Qulqelia, eight Palestinians were held after a contingent of Israeli troops broke into the civilians’ houses in Shreem and Kfar Saba neighborhood...A troop of Israeli soldiers incurred WednesdayintoBeit Marsam village, south west of Hebron, wounded a Palestinian citizen and arrested fours others, WAFA news agency reported....In southern Gaza, IOFshelled Wednesday overnight the apartment buildings of Al Zahra’ neighborhood, WAFA reported. Witnesses said that the Israeli occupying forces positioned at the illegitimate Jewish settlement of “Nitzarim”, south ofGaza city bombarded heavily by tank shells and heavy machine gun fire one of the apartment buildings. Blockade of West Bank Continues, Travel Restrictions Still Intact Palestine Media Center 11/6/2003 IOF Shoot Dead Palestinian Woman, Settlers Uproot Hundreds of Olive Trees -- A Palestinian woman was killed early Thursday while at home when at least ten Israeli tanks and 30 military jeeps and trucks, backed by two US-made Apache helicopters, invaded the old town of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, as facts on the ground and Palestinian sources refuted Israeli official announcements on Wednesday that the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) were easing their West Bank blockade....At the Surda roadblock north of Ramallah, the IOF allowed pedestrians to pass but physical trenches and roadblocks remained intact. The crossing was jammed with hundreds of cars, people and donkeys early Thursday. Other roadblocks and checkpoints were also still intact, and the operators of major bus companies in Nablus and Bethlehem said they still did not have permission to resume operations. Zionist army jeep hits Palestinian child in front of her school Palestinian Information Center 11/6/2003 Ramallah - A Zionist army jeep speeding in front of a Palestinian school in the village of Kufr Ein to the north of Ramallah today hit a schoolgirl in front of her school then sped away. Headmistress of the school said that the jeep turned in high speed in front of the school gate and hit the student Makram Saadi Al-Barguthi at 7.30 am today. She said that the girl was carried in critical condition to the nearby Salfit medical clinic. Occupation soldiers demolish house of wanted Qassam Mujahid Palestinian Information Center 11/6/2003 Ramallah - Zionist terrorism forces blew up at dawn today the house of Ibrahim Hamed, commander of the Qassam Brigades the military wing of the Hamas Movement in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Eyewitnesses said that occupation forces stormed the village of Silwad in 17 jeeps at 2.30 am today and planted explosives all around the house. They added that two explosions were then heard with half an hour between each and the house was completely razed to the ground. Would-be bombers arrested in West Bank Al-Jazeera 11/6/2003 Palestinian authorities have arrested two would-be bombers in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. A Palestinian security source has told Reuters that the two, arrested "in the last few days", had been planning to carry out bomb attacks against Israel. The men's names have not been revealed. The source said one of the men was a member of Islamic Jihad while the other belonged to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed faction linked to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement. Palestinians: Israel hands out land confiscation notices CNN 11/5/2003 JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Palestinian farmers in the northern Jordan Valley on Wednesday received letters stating Israel would use their property to erect a security barrier, Palestinian officials said. Palestinian Authority officials subsequently fired off protests to the United States and the European Union. They said the commander of the Israel Defense Force's central command had ordered the land confiscation. Hezbollah bombs found on border with Lebanon Ha'aretz 11/6/2003 The Israel Defense Forces uncovered a series of Hezbollah roadside bombs along the Lebanese border between Kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch and Ghajar on Wednesday. The explosive devices were discovered from a distance and have yet to be detonated. According to the IDF, a United Nations helicopter patrol confirmed the presence of the bombs. Medical Workers Under Attack -16 Shot in Balatta Refugee Camp International Solidarity Movement 11/4/2003 From early morning until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday Balata refugee cap was heldunder seige by the Israeli Occupation Forces. Jeeps and hummers stationedat the entrances to the camps shot rubber bullets, tear gas and liveammunition at groups of children in the streets. A mosque filled withmen, women and children at prayer was gassed with a particularly strongversion of tear gas, causing many people to require hospitalization.Throughout the day 16 people were shot, including one internationalactivist and three medical volunteers. Settlers destroy ancient Olive groves Jerusalem Times 11/6/2003 Palestinian officials deplored the Israeli continual destruction campaign against Palestinian property and fields. Israeli settlers have chopped down hundreds of olive trees grown on Palestinian farmland in the West Bank. Officials described the settlers activities by “madness” adding their aggression was done under the protection of the Israeli army. Palestinians say the army usually refuses to prevent the settlers from attacking Palestinian property and provides protection for their actions. New IOF Rules Allow Shooting Any Palestinian Near "Nitzarim" Settlement International Press Center 11/6/2003 GAZA, November 6, 2003 (IPC + Agencies) - - A new set of rules was recently released by the Israeli military command, permitting the Israeli occupying troops stationed in the illegitimate Jewish settlement of "Nitzarim" to shoot and kill any Palestinian carrying a binoculars in the vicinity of the settlement....The "Nitzarim" settlement, which is closer to being a military base rather than a center of Jewish colonization, is surrounded by Palestinian farmlands, in which many Palestinians farm or live next to, a thing that would surely expose them to dire jeopardy when these rules come into effect. Herds of settlers assault Jerusalemite Palestinian Information Center 11/6/2003 Occupied Jerusalem - A group of Zionist settlers last night assaulted and wounded a Jerusalemites in occupied Jerusalem, who was later hospitalized. Citizens in the holy city said that a group of racist settlers insulted the Jerusalemite while heading out of his place of work then beat him up. Palestinian Authority Reports Progress in US Bombing Probe Middle East Newsline 11/6/2003 GAZA CITY [MENL] -- The Palestinian Authority has reported progress in the investigation of the October bombing of a U.S. embassy convoy in the Gaza Strip in which three security guards were killed. PA sources said Palestinian security agencies have captured two Palestinians determined to have obtained the explosives for the roadside bomb that was detonated near the U.S. embassy convoy outside the Jabalya refugee camp north of Gaza City. The sources said the suspects confessed to participating in the Oct. 15 bombing and later provided information on those who carried out the attack. Map: Israeli Check Points in the West Bank PEDCAR/PNA 11/3/2003 Latest map of the network of Israeli checkpoints throughout the West Bank Map: Israeli Check Points in the Gaza Strip PEDCAR/PNA 11/3/2003 Latest map of the network of Israeli checkpoints throughout Gaza Explore what happens at a West Bank military checkpoint BBC 11/6/2003 Introduction: A recent report by a group of 20 aid agencies has drawn public attention to one of the little reported aspects of the continuing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians – checkpoints and roadblocks in the West Bank and Gaza. The report said these travel restrictions – some of them in place since the beginning of the intifada in 2000 - limit Palestinians' access to schools and medical care, increase frustration and destroy hopes for peace....Click on the graphic to explore what happens at an Israeli checkpoint and read about the experiences of Palestinians who pass through the roadblocks and Israelis who guard them. Woman killed during Israeli raid in Gaza Al-Jazeera 11/6/2003 A Palestinian woman has been shot and killed during an Israeli army raid in the West Bank town of Nablus. According to Palestinian security and medical sources, Imtiyaz Abu Ras, 38, was hit by a bullet in the neck during the raid early on Thursday morning on the West Bank’s largest town. The incident occurred shortly before dawn when about ten Israeli tanks and more than 50 jeeps, backed by at least one helicopter, pushed into the area, provoking exchanges of fire with Palestinian gunmen. Abu Ras was shot inside her home in Nablus's old city, the Casbah. Palestinians say they arrest two for planning J'lem attack Ha'aretz 11/6/2003 Palestinian security forces arrested two people in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Thursday who were planning to carry out a terror attack in Jerusalem, Israel Radio reported. The Palestinians said they arrested a female Fatah activist and male Islamic Jihad activist. Israel has not confirmed the incident. News Briefs: Mosque Attacked With Gas Bombs International Middle East Media Center 11/6/2003 Bombs Disturb the Prayer ‘Abed Al-Rahman’ Mosque In Balata - soldiers fired tens of gas bombs 'Abed Al-Rahman’ mosque at east of Nablus yesterday...Sheikh Ibrahim Arayshy said that the mosque was filled with people when the bombs fell around it and on its yard; many persons fainted and were transferred to hospitals in Nablus...the density of bombs and gas suffocated many men, women and children; they have been evacuated later by the help of Emergency workers. The main fear was on children who have been falling on the ground unable to breathe...Fiad: "Cabinet Term Expired So Was Mine" / Activists Of The Islamic Jihad Arrested South Jenin Breaking News: Tanks Shell Khan Younis, Wounding Four; Ramallah Home Demolished; Roundups in Hebron, Bethlehem International Press Center 11/6/2003 11:30 -- Israeli occupying forces fires tank shells at Al Nimsawe neighborhood, of khan Younis and wounds four Palestinian citizens, witnesses said / 11:00 -- The house of the citizen Ibraheim Marei has been dynamited by the Israeli occupying forces in Silwad town , north east of Ramallah district shortly after 13 Israeli jeeps and convoys stormed the town and forced the house’ dweller out under the menace of force, IPC reported./ 10:55 -- Israeli occupying forces rounds up tens Palestinian citizens from Hebron and Bethlehem, WAFA said.

Diplomacy..

PM to face a battle in cabinet on deal for prisoner release Ha'aretz 11/6/2003 Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will seek cabinet approval on Sunday for the German-mediated deal with Hezbollah for the return of businessman Elhanan Tannenbaum and the bodies of three soldiers kidnapped by the Lebanese Shi'ite guerilla group in October 2000, in exchange for 20 Lebanese, 400 Palestinians, and about 20 Jordanians, who will be released to Jordan separately. But the prime minister faces recalcitrant ministers and as of last night cannot be certain of a majority in favor of the deal. PM updates families of abducted Israelis on prisoner exchange deal Ha'aretz 11/6/2003 Unclear if proposal will be passed in cabinet vote Sunday; PMO officials believe five of 23 ministers support or might support the deal. -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met Thursday afternoon with the families of the three Israel Defense Forces soldiers kidnapped along the Lebanese border in October 2000, and told them that he is sure that a majority of the ministers will support the terms of the prisoner exchange agreement with Hezbollah, in a vote scheduled to take place Sunday. Israel Reports a Hizbullah 'Bomb Belt' on its Northern Flank An Nahar 11/6/2003 Israel has accused Hizbullah of planting a chain of high-powered roadside bombs along the Israeli side of the U.N.-carved Blue Line to blow up army patrols on roads close to South Lebanon. An Israeli army communiqué said the bomb belt was discovered by an army tracker Wednesday, calling it a "proof that Lebanon, Syria and Hizbullah are systematically violating U.N. resolutions and scheming to undermine Israel's sovereignty." Israel Brings Anti-Terrorism Resolution to U.N. Washington Post 11/5/2003 UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 4 -- Israel, the target of hundreds of critical U.N. resolutions, introduced on Tuesday its first initiative before the 191-member General Assembly in more than a quarter-century, a resolution condemning attacks against Israeli children by Palestinian suicide bombers. This is a shift in strategy at the United Nations by Israel, which has sought to avoid engaging in a forum that is traditionally sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. Israel is also considering pressing the Security Council to consider passing a resolution condemning new suicide attacks against Israeli citizens, Israel's deputy U.N. ambassador to the United Nations, Arye Meckel, said in an interview Tuesday. Beirut frets settlement of Palestinians Daily Star 11/6/2003 Similar proposals from US and EU legislators fuel concern among Lebanese officials -- Lebanese officials were taken aback on Wednesday at the similarities between two proposals calling for the resettlement of Palestinian refugees in their host countries. One proposal was submitted by US Congresswoman Ileana Ross-Lehtinen of Florida and the other by European MP Emilio Menendez del Valle, but both proposals call for resettling the Palestinians in their current host countries.President Emile Lahoud told EU special envoy Alfredo Manteca Wednesday that Lebanon was “totally opposed to resettling the Palestinian refugees on Lebanese soil regardless of the reasons.” The press in conflict / In the mosques, the Geneva Accord is ridiculed Ha'aretz 11/6/2003 "These negotiators are negotiating fantasies that exist only in their own fevered minds and they won't achieve anything, other than to expand and entrench the occupation and enhance the legitimacy of all its hallmarks, as happened with similar agreements and with the Oslo Accords. A false impression that only gives support to continued aggression and the Judaization of Jerusalem and the holy places." Thus Yusuf Abu Sneineh, preaching at the Al-Aqsa mosque on the first Friday of Ramadan, attacked the Israeli and Palestinian figures who have signed the Geneva Accord. Audio: Professor Hisham Ahmed on the 'Geneva Agreement' Mid-East Realities 11/3/2003 Audio interview with professor Hisham Ahmed: In Palestine the 'Geneva Agreement' is a scandal and its Palestinian signers would be more likely to be stoned than cheered. Shin Bet compiles list of 400 for prisoner exchange Jerusalem Post 11/6/2003 Acting on government instructions, the Shin Bet has compiled a list of 400 Palestinian security prisoners slated for release. Security officials on Wednesday refused to divulge the identities of the prisoners saying the list had yet to be finalized but noted it had been drawn up in accordance with criteria set by the government. PM Qurei Calls for Dismantling Israeli Apartheid Wall Palestine Media Center 11/6/2003 Erekat Confirms Confiscation of Palestinian Land in Jordan Valley -- The Palestine National Authority (PNA) Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei on Wednesday called for the dismantling of the Israeli Apartheid Wall, which the Jewish state is building on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank as Palestinian farmers in the northern Jordan Valley on Wednesday received letters stating Israel would use their property to erect the Wall. During a meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah with the special EU envoy to the region Marc Otte on Wednesday, Qurei emphasized "the necessity of halting construction (of the Wall) as a first step to its destruction," according to a statement from his office. 'Map' leads to U.S. dilemma in Russia-Israel conflict Washington Times 11/6/2003 NEW YORK — With Israel opposing a Russian push for a U.N. Security Council endorsement of the "road map" Middle East peace plan, the Bush administration is facing a tough choice between offending Israel or repudiating its own plan. The Russian government last Thursday circulated a simple draft resolution in which the Security Council would endorse the peace initiative, which sets out steps to be taken by the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority to achieve a lasting peace between two secure and independent states. Palestinian, Israeli politicians brief Amman on reconciliation plan ReliefWeb 11/6/2003 Amman (dpa) - Palestinian and opposition Israeli politicians met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher Thursday to brief him on a recently-drafted reconciliation plan [the Geneva document]. It envisages solutions to controversial issues which have so far impeded a settlement to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, according to an official statement. "The document reflects an extremely positive effort that deserves support by all Arab countries and the international community," Muasher told reporters afterwards. "However, we cannot speak about the contents of the plan before it is endorsed by both the Israeli and Palestinian governments," he added. Lahoud urges EU to put pressure on Israel Daily Star 11/6/2003 President calls for full un involvement in Iraq - EU envoy meets with local officials to hear concerns -- President Emile Lahoud urged on Wednesday the European Union and the international community to play a more active role in pressuring Israel to prevent it from undermining stability in the Middle East through its aggressive policies against Palestine, Syria and Lebanon. Arafat: Obstacle or the key to peace? BBC 11/6/2003 Once a regular guest at The White House, Yasser Arafat is now politically isolated by Israel and America who insist he has the power to stop suicide bombings against Israelis. But could a peace deal be made without the man who has led the Palestinians for decades? Analysis / The cat and mouse of a prisoner swap Ha'aretz 11/6/2003 In the past week there have been clear signs and "signals" of Hezbollah planning a military operation against Israel, including a kidnapping on the northern border, if Israel rejected the prisoner deal Germany has been mediating for months. Israel has meanwhile warned Damascus that if Hezbollah attacks, Israel will respond vehemently, possibly in Syria's direction. It informed the Americans of its attitude and also apparently, Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak. US policy toward Syria misguided Al-Jazeera 11/5/2003 Damascus is in Washington’s crosshairs again, but Arab analysts say a recent US Congressional vote to sanction Syria will not have the intended effect. While the United States is trying to hem Syria in, Europe is opening new doors to the Arab country. “By alienating Syria, the US will soon realise that it is losing an important regional player in the pursuit of stability in the region, whether in Palestine, in Iraq or in Lebanon,” said Nabil Sukkar, a former senior economist at the World Bank.

Human Rights..

Gaza Strip: Israel's laboratory Al-Jazeera 11/4/2003 "To see the people of the West Bank five years from now, take them to al-Siyafah" - Their freedom of movement has been severely restricted, their public services and infrastructure destroyed or limited and their lands annexed. In short, their entire lives are at the mercy of the Israeli military. -- At first glance, al-Siyafah may seem like nothing more than a lifeless desert worthy of just passing attention. Dry sandy hills stretch out for several kilometres in all directions, interrupted only by the occasional obstinate bush of wildflowers....It is hard to believe that this barren village was once one of the most fertile areas in the entire Gaza Strip renowned for its strawberry, avocado, and guava crops. PPS Solicitors: Palestinian Prisoners Situation at the Brink of Explosion International Press Center 11/5/2003 GAZA, November 5, 2003 (IPC + PPS) - - Solicitors of the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS), who visited a number of concentration and detention camps inside Israel, warned that the situation inside Israeli jails is going to explode owing to the dire conditions that threaten the Palestinian prisoners’ lives, a PPS press release mentioned on Tuesday. Take risks for peace rather than hatred, Ashrawi urges Sydney Sydney Morning Herald 11/6/2003 Hanan Ashrawi, whose 2003 Sydney Peace Prize drew so much hostility in advance, was received warmly in Sydney last night, in what she called "this luminous instant in history". Before delivering the peace prize lecture, she was greeted with a peace song in Hebrew and Arabic, a bouquet of flowers from Jews Against the Occupation and a standing ovation. She won another standing ovation after the speech. Protesters and supporters stood outside the Seymour Centre, generally quiet and dignified. Comment on Israel's announcement that closure will be eased in the West Bank ReliefWeb/UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 11/6/2003 On 2 and 5 November, Israel announced that with the exception of Jenin and Nablus, its blockade of Palestinian towns in the West Bank will be relaxed (www.idf.il). The IDF said that Palestinians with permits will be able to travel in cars and buses between towns. They also stated that 3,000 West Bank traders will be issued with permits to work in Israel....Information from OCHA Field Offices collected during the week indicates that despite some limited improvements in the Southern West Bank, the blockade of Palestinian towns has not eased since Israel's announcement. Israeli officer: “roadblocks are meant to humiliate Palestinians, not protect security” Palestinian Information Center 11/6/2003 Occupied Jerusalem - An Israeli army officer who disobeyed orders to humiliate Palestinians told the Israeli state-run radio Wednesday that the ubiquitous army roadblocks in the West Bank were meant to “torment and humiliate Palestinians, not protect our security.” “We see them (the Palestinians) coming in droves, we don’t allow them to proceed, we frustrate them, we make them suffer, and we enjoy this very much,” said the officer. Legal institution asks Zionist entity to probe settlers’ murder of 17 Palestinians Palestinian Information Center 11/6/2003 Occupied Jerusalem - The Palestinian human rights watch group addressed a message to the Zionist chief investigation officer in the West Bank asking for details of the inquiry into the murder crimes committed by Jewish settlers against Palestinian citizens. The message asked particularly about the murder crimes of 17 Palestinian civilians that took place during the Aqsa intifada that erupted in late September 2000. The group has already sent numerous similar messages but did not receive any response so far. IDF may free dozens of Palestinians to reduce overcrowding Ha'aretz 11/6/2003 The Israel Defenses Forces Central Command has prepared a proposal to release more than a hundred Palestinian prisoners in order to improve conditions in jails and prisons. The list includes prisoners who have been found guilty of minor offences and are serving jail terms of less than five years. No decisive talks have been held on the matter until now, but the Shin Bet security service and the military prosecution have expressed reservations on the proposal. Palestinian MP Ashrawi: Hatred in Australia worse than in Israel Al-Bawaba 11/6/2003 Palestinian parliament member Hanan Ashrawi, to be awarded the Sydney Peace Prize Thursday, said she was bewildered by the "hatred" her selection had created in Australia. Dr. Hanan Ashrawi was to be presented with the prize Thursday night by NSW Premier Bob Carr for her work for Middle East peace and her representation of the Palestinian people. The decision has been strongly criticized by several Jewish groups, who accuse Ashrawi of "demonizing Israel and failing to condemn Palestinian terror groups like Hamas." The checkpoint birth of “Hajez” Palestine Monitor 11/4/2003 The naming of a child “Hajez” (literally meaning checkpoint) is unlikely to happen anywhere else in the world but here in the occupied West Bank of Palestine the name could soon become as common as Mohammad or Mustafa. Whilst the somewhat entertaining naming of this child celebrates the lighthearted cynicism and resilient sense of humor many Palestinians appear to have adopted living under incessant occupation, the harsh reality of births and deaths at checkpoints is far from entertaining....The story of Adan and the birth of her son is a fortunate one. Both mother and baby are well and indeed, got through the trauma without losing their lives. The story has not been so sweet for all the 54 other Palestinian women in labor, obliged to give birth at military checkpoints. Other stories beginning in a similar way to that of Adan’s have ended in the death of 31 fetuses immediately after delivery. Cancellation of strict new press card rules urged Reporters Without Borders 11/4/2003 Reporters Without Borders expressed great alarm today at new rules in Israel for accrediting journalists, who would have to be cleared by the Shin Beit state security police, and called for them to be immediately dropped as a serious threat to press freedom and flagrant violation of journalists' rights. The new rules, which would take effect on 1 January, apply to all journalists - foreign, Palestinian and Israeli - working in Israel. Zionist authorities renew administrative detention of Palestinian for 4th time Palestinian Information Center 11/6/2003 Nablus - Zionist occupation authorities yesterday renewed the administrative detention of the Palestinian detainee Raslan Talal Thukan, 30, for the fourth consecutive time. Raslan, an inhabitant of the Balata refugee camp to the east of the city of Nablus, was first arrested for six months. Emergency assistance distributed in Beit Hanoun Jerusalem Times 11/6/2003 The Palestinian center for the social and economic development distributed recently in Ramallah financial assistance on Palestinian farmers who were affected directly from the Israeli aggression in Gaza such as uprooting farms and demolishing green houses the past 2 years. The financial assistance came as a part of an assistance project for the Palestinian farmers that was funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) through the Swedish cooperation center. The Fortunate Few International Solidarity Movement 11/5/2003 Gaza - Melissa - 5 Nov 03 -- About one week ago a small group of internationals approached Erez Checkpoint separating the Gaza Strip from Israel. We were hopeful that we would be allowed entry- however we were all prepared to be denied, like so many who have come before us. Fortunately, we were allowed to enter into the prison that is Gaza. Once checked through Erez we passed through a Palestinian Border Point and were on our way to Gaza City. We passed areas that had been totally destroyed in various past invasion, areas so over populated that 95,000 people are living in one square kilometer and wherever we went we were surrounded by sniper towers watching our every move. ISM Action Alerts: Write to the Toronto Star / The Fortunate Few / Caterpillar Protest International Solidarity Movement 11/5/2003 1) Apologies.WRITE TO THE TORONTO STAR2) The Fortunate Few, by Melissa in Rafah3) Join Rachel's family and Joe Car protesting Caterpillar in Iowa4) Bring the Wall Down! November 9, 2003 Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories 30 Oct.-05 Nov. 2003 Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 11/6/2003 A Palestinian civilian was killed by Israeli forces in ‘Askar refugee camp in Nablus / Israeli forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip / Construction continued on the separation wall in the West Bank / Indiscriminate shelling of Palestinian residential areas continued / Continued siege on the OPTs: - Continued Restrictions on travel at Rafah Terminal- Continued restriction on the movement of ambulances and medical personnel in the West Bank- Israeli forces fired at Palestinian civilians crossing military checkpoints

Economy..

Perez to Netanyahu: We'll meet in court Globes 11/6/2003 The negotiations between the Ministry of Finance and the Histadrut broke down this afternoon. -- The negotiations between the Ministry of Finance and the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) broke down this afternoon after it became clear that very wide gaps still remained between the parties' positions on the issues in dispute: pensions and structural reforms. Histadrut chairman MK Amir Perez walked out of his meeting with Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister's Office director general Avigdor Yitzhaki in a fury only one hour after it began. He told Netanyahu, "We'll meet in court." Treasury-Histadrut talks deadlocked ahead of court hearing Ha'aretz 11/6/2003 Talks between Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Histadrut labor federation chairman Amir Peretz attempting to avert a threatened general strike ended Thursday afternoon with no result. At the end of the one-hour meeting, which was also attended by the director general of the Prime Minister's Office, Avigdor Yitzhaki, Peretz told Netanyahu that he would see him court, as both are due to attend a National Labor Court hearing at 7 P.M., in which the treasury and the labor federation are to present progress made during the court-ordered talks. Unemployment continues to drop Jerusalem Times 11/6/2003 A new survey by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) on unemployment in the Palestinian areas during third quarter 2003 said unemployment continued to drop to reach 271,000 from 302,000 in the second quarter of the same year. Number of persons who do not work but were nevertheless seeking or not seeking employment decreased from 336,000 in the first quarter 2003 to 302,000 in second quarter of the same year and then continued to drop to reach 271,000 in the third quarter, said the new PCBS report. Palestinians set up first technology incubator Globes 11/6/2003 The $3.2 million incubator will be based in Ramallah. -- The Palestinian Authority is establishing its first technology incubator in Ramallah at a cost of $3.2 million. The incubator is a joint project of the Palestinian Information Technology Association (PITA), PalTrade (Palestine Trade Center), PalTel (Palestine Telecommunications Co.) (PSE:PALTEL), another Palestinian financial institution and USAID. The incubator is schedule to open in 2004. Treasury optimistic talks will avert threatened general strike Ha'aretz 11/6/2003 The National Labor Court will today resume hearing several petitions against a planned general strike of the public sector, unless a final meeting today between Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Histadrut Chairman Amir Peretz results in significant progress. Masses face layoffs as firms reorganize Ha'aretz 11/6/2003 Two large companies announced heavy layoffs yesterday, compounding the levels of unemployment in the economy. Housing and Construction (Shikun U'Binui) announced it would be laying off 430 workers out of its 3,000-person staff, while the Blue Square Israel food retail marketing chain said it would be downsizing some 250 employees and closing 10 loss-making stores. Consumption still falling Globes 11/6/2003 Retail sales at malls, marketing chains and stores fell by a seasonally-adjusted 3.2% in the third quarter of 2003. -- Retail sales at malls, marketing chains and stores fell by a seasonally-adjusted 3.2% in the third quarter of 2003. Food sales at supermarkets and stores fell by a seasonally-adjusted 2.2% in the same period. Bank of Israel: Slowdown in private construction continues Globes 11/6/2003 Sales of privately-built apartments fell by an annualized 29.5% in January-August 2003. -- Belying reports of a turnaround in economic activity, private construction is still falling. Sales of privately-built apartments fell by an annualized 29.5% and the supply of new apartments fell 14.1% in January-August 2003, according to a Bank of Israel analysis of Central Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Housing and Construction figures.

People..

Youth and the Intifada Jerusalem Times 11/6/2003 A new study by the Palestinian Center for Democracy and Community Development dealing with youth and the current Intifada has stressed the need for leaguing efforts to improve the conditions of youth at all levels. The study revealed many problems in the mechanisms the community employs in dealing with youth and called for making immediate changes by way of a studied strategy established by a group of concerned parties, including youth themselves. The study examined several facets, including youth organizations, which it said are few in number and concentrated in the center of the West Bank and in Gaza, in addition to being burdened by the factional dimension and political dominance. Gaza archaeological sites tell the history of civilizations Jerusalem Times 11/6/2003 Researcher historian Salim Al-Mubayyedh grew up in a modest neighborhood in Gaza that lived on tradition, customs, and real friendship and relied on the land for sustenance. He was born in 1943 and grew up amid the roar of jet fighters and bombs dropped randomly on homes. I spoke with Mubayyedh at his old home library. He said, "My beginning was at the learning circle at the mosque; we used to sit in a big hall on the right side of the mosque and begin our lessons with Quran. We sat under the minaret of the old mosque." He expressed sorrow that the mosque learning circles have disappeared. Dalia Rabin shouts at right-wing MK at memorial service Ha'aretz 11/6/2003 Dalia Rabin-Pelosoff, Yitzhak Rabin's daughter, shouted at a right-wing Knesset member at a memorial ceremony Thursday commemorating her father's assassination, after Shaul Yahalom harshly criticized the Israeli left for tearing apart the nation by using Rabin's death to focus on his role in trying to forge peace. Film season brings world’s best documentaries to Beirut Daily Star 11/6/2003 Docudays, the homegrown cinema festival, presents international program in its 5th and biggest year -- Fall is film festival season in Beirut, when the best and worst international and local films, documentaries and shorts get the opportunity for an airing before a wide audience, many for the first time....Docudays closes with the docudrama Ford Transit by Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad, which won the Human Rights Watch Film Fest award for courage in film making and has been screened at the famous Sundance festival in America. Israel Grants Russian Tycoon Citizenship Washington Times 11/6/2003 JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel has granted citizenship to a Russian tycoon who could be targeted in Russia's tax evasion and fraud investigation of oil giant Yukos, the Interior Ministry said Wednesday. Israeli authorities said becoming an Israeli would not automatically shield Leonid Nevzlin from possible extradition to Moscow. Nevzlin is the top aide of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who resigned earlier this week as head of Yukos, the world's fifth-largest oil company. Raelians Plant Roots in Lebanon? An Nahar 11/6/2003 Two Lebanese men detained on charges of "collaborating with the enemy" have admitted to links to the Raelians, a religious group that believes space aliens created life on Earth and claims to have helped bring the first human clone into the world. According to Al-Mustaqbal newspaper, the men were questioned Wednesday on alleged meetings with Israeli military officers during a recent trip to the Jordanian Red Sea port of Aqaba. During their interrogation, however, they confessed to belonging to the Raelians and to having met in Aqaba with members of the group to discuss the affairs of the controversial cult.

International..

Two Islamists blow selves up in Mecca; Gunman killed, eight Saudi policemen injured in Riyadh shootout Al-Bawaba 11/6/2003 In the Saudi Kingdom, two "terrorists" blew themselves up as security forces hunted for Islamists in the holy city of Mecca, security sources said Thursday. "Two terrorists blew themselves up Thursday afternoon as they were being chased by security forces in the al-Sharaeh district of Mecca," a security official said. "The incident happened as security forces hunted for wanted militants," he added. Iran hands key N-drawings to UN agency Al-Jazeera 11/6/2003 Iran has handed over to the UN nuclear watchdog crucial drawings of equipment used in its uranium enrichment programme to help prove it was not seeking to make an atomic bomb. "We revealed all components to the agency, including (original) drawings...so there is nothing which the agency has no information on," Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in Vienna on Wednesday. Lebanese speak out on Syria Accountability Act Al-Jazeera 11/6/2003 The US House of Representatives adopted the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Act on 15 October. The US alleges that Damascus has ties to terror groups and is conducting efforts to obtain weapons of mass destruction. The legislation, which American President George Bush has indicated he will sign, also calls on Damascus to end its military presence in Lebanon. But what do the Lebanese think of Washington’s latest moves against Damascus? Aljazeera.net took to the streets of Beirut to ask people the following question: “What do you think of the Syria Accountability Act and why is the United States applying this pressure on Syria?” U.S. Senate Softens Lebanon's Link to Syria's Accountability Act An Nahar 11/6/2003 The U.S. Senate has introduced several amendments to the projected bill of sanctions against Syria, toning down articles concerning its withdrawal from Lebanon and support of Hizbullah, The Beirut daily As Safir reported on Thursday. The new version of the Accountability Act cancels the comparison that pictures Hizbullah as even worse than Osama bin Laden's al Qaida terrorist network. It also modifies the concept of lifting the sanctions against the Assad regime if it quits Lebanon. Iran Schemes to Become West Asia's 'Superpower' in 2025 An Nahar 11/6/2003 Iran aims to become the economic powerhouse of western Asia and produced a vague plan Thursday on how it hopes to achieve that goal during the next 20 years. Iran should be a regional superpower and a base for high technology and scientific know-how by 2025, state television reported. The plan outlines the goals that governments should pursue in the next four five-year plans. Iran's third five-year development plan is due to end in March. Deported Terror Suspect Details Torture in Syria Washington Post 11/6/2003 Canadian's Case Called Typical of CIA -- TORONTO, Nov. 4 -- A Canadian citizen who was detained last year at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York as a suspected terrorist said Tuesday he was secretly deported to Syria and endured 10 months of torture in a Syrian prison. Maher Arar, 33, who was released last month, said at a news conference in Ottawa that he pleaded with U.S. authorities to let him continue on to Canada, where he has lived for 15 years and has a family. But instead, he was flown under U.S. guard to Jordan and handed over to Syria, where he was born. Arar denied any connection to terrorism and said he would fight to clear his name. Chretien Protests Deportation of Canadian Washington Post 11/6/2003 Prime Minister Calls U.S. Treatment of Terror Suspect 'Completely Unacceptable' -- TORONTO, Nov. 5 -- Prime Minister Jean Chretien on Wednesday protested the U.S. treatment of a Canadian citizen who was detained in New York and deported to Syria last year on suspicion of having links to terrorists. Chretien told Parliament that Foreign Minister Bill Graham had spoken with Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and asked why the United States sent Maher Arar to Syria. Phalange protest ends peacefully Daily Star 11/6/2003 Students call for release of Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons -- Over 100 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wednesday in solidarity with Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons, and despite a heavy security presence, no clashes were reported as protesters remained peaceful. Row over Egypt's 'book of love' BBC 11/4/2003 An Egyptian poet will defy an edict by Muslim authorities calling for his latest book to be withdrawn because of its explicit sexual nature. Ahmed Shahawi said the ruling against Commandments of Love for Women had nothing to do with religion. The book's publishers argue Al-Azhar University can only recommend what books people should read, not ban them. Egyptian literary and human rights groups have protested against the edict as a threat to freedom of expression. EU plans conference in wake of survey fearing Israel Ha'aretz 11/6/2003 BRUSSELS, Belgium - A European Union survey's finding that more of its citizens see Israel as a threat to world peace than any other country has reaped a whirlwind. Yesterday, the EU promised to find out what was behind such reasoning....European Commission President Romano Prodi, whose office ordered the poll, said the "disturbing" results point to the "continued existence" of an anti-Jewish bias. To address those concerns, the Commission will organize a seminar before the end of the year "to reflect on the questions relating to Judaism, the State of Israel and different Mediterranean questions," said Prodi's spokesman, Reijo Kemppinen. WEF: Jordan and Turkey are regional advancers in economic competitiveness Al-Bawaba 11/6/2003 Jordan and Turkey were the Middle East’s most praised nations for economic competitiveness in the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s newly released international report. Both countries were commended for making significant advancements in the quality of their public institutions in the forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2003-2004. Foreign students frozen out of US The Guardian 11/6/2003 The number of foreign students enrolling in US universities may be declining for the first time in decades, according to a series of studies released this week. The annual report of the Institute of International Education (IIE) in New York shows that foreign student enrolment at US universities grew by 0.6% in 2002-03 - the lowest rate since 1995. And in a survey of 276 universities, most reported some decline in international enrolment this autumn, suggesting that student numbers may fall in the 2003-04 academic year for the first time since 1971. Palestinian Activist Is Released Washington Post 11/4/2003 CHICAGO, Nov. 3 -- A former Howard University professor and Palestinian activist with alleged ties to the Islamic Resistance Movement, or Hamas, was released on $1 million bail Monday after two months in jail for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating the terrorist group's finances and activities. Abdelhaleem Ashqar, who taught at Howard for three years, had been jailed since early September, when he refused to testify after being granted immunity.

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