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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..

Dozens of Thousands of Palestinians Confined to their Homes as IOF Imposes Curfew International Press Center 12/8/2003 WEST BANK, Palestine, December 8, 2003 (IPC+ Agencies)-- Dozens of thousands of Palestinians have been confined to their homes on Monday as Israeli occupying forces (IOF) have imposed tight curfew on the West Bank towns and villages of Azzoun, Tubas, Bani Hassan, Bedia, Masha, Dier Balout, Zawia and Rafat. A contingent of Israeli forces imposed a curfew on the Azzoun town, near Qalqilia city and denied inhabitants access in and out of the area, eyewitnesses accounted....Other West Bank villages have..also [come] under Israeli curfew such as Qarawa, Bedia, Masha, Dier Balout, Al-Zawiya and Rafat, which are parts of the West Bank governorate of Salfiet....Meanwhile, IOF demolished Monday the house of Palestinian civilian Ayed Abdelhadi Abu Sharar in the West Bank village of Faqiqas of Hebron city, under the pretext of building without permission....[leaving] 9 people homelsss. Also in Nablus, IOF arrested several Palestinian civilians from the Zawata village after incurring into the village using tanks and armored vehicles.... News Briefs: Troops Invade Jenin, Nablus, Make Several Arrests International Middle East Media Center 12/8/2003 Troops Invade Jenin and arrest three Palestinian including a minor: Early this morning, the troops invaded Jenin at the north of the west bank, the military started its incursion around 2am and lasted until 7am , in a wide military operation. Exchange of fire erupted between the troops and the resistance in the eastern neighborhood of the city, no injuries among both parties have been reported. / Five Arrested in Nablus in a new Incursion: After its incursion in several neighborhoods in Nablus and some surrounding areas, the troops arrested today five Palestinians. Fire exchange was reported between some resistance groups and the troops. Following Truce Talks Failure: IOF Invades Jenin and Erects Several Military Watch Towers Throughout OPT International Press Center 12/8/2003 JENIN, Palestine, December 8, 2003 (IPC + Agencies) - - Hours only after the ceasefire talks between the Palestinian factions in Cairo failed, due to Israeli obstinacy, the Israeli occupying forces (IOF) invaded, with large forces, the city of Jenin, as well as erecting large military watch towers in several areas of the occupied Palestinian territories. Eyewitnesses and security sources in the city of Jenin told IPC correspondent that a column of IOF tanks and armored vehicles invaded early this morning the city, and exchanged fire with local resistance fighters....This invasion came few hours after IOF invaded the city of Tulkarem ad surrounded a mosque there. Then, IOF troops arrested 15 Palestinian citizens who were praying inside the mosque and led them into an undisclosed location, IPC's reported. Earlier, IOF erected a large military checkpoint near the Sorra Village junction, west of Nablus City. Eyewitnesses and international peace activists said that IOF started erecting this checkpoint five days ago, and that it constructed large military watch towers, cement walls and barbed razor wires, as well as placing several caravans near the checkpoint and seizing a piece of farmland owned by Palestinian villagers near it.... Palestinian-Canadian says tortured into confessing Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 Jamal Khatib, the attorney of a Palestinian-Canadian who was recently arrested by Israeli security services for allegedly planning attacks on Israelis and Jews overseas, said Monday that his client's confession was coerced using torture, Army Radio reported. The Shin Bet security service said Monday that it is holding a Palestinian with a Canadian passport who is suspected of being recruited by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip to carry out attacks in Canada and the United States. Israeli Army Shoots Dead Three Palestinian Youths in Gaza Palestine Chronicle 12/7/2003 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM - Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) shot dead three Palestinian youths within 24 hours in two separate incidents in the Gaza Strip, and deported more Palestinian administrative detainees to the Strip from the West Bank in a policy denounced by the PNA as a "rejected and dangerous policy.” IOF overnight Saturday shot dead 15-year old Jihad Mousa al-Akhras at the southern Gaza Strip Rafah border crossing point with Egypt, while he was waiting to receive relatives coming back home from Egypt. Occupation troops seal house of prisoner Palestinian Information Center 12/8/2003 Occupied Jerusalem - Large numbers of Zionist policemen and border guards today sealed the house of a Jerusalemite after charging him of transporting the Palestinian commando who carried out a martyrdom operation a year ago. Citizens in the Tor suburb in occupied Jerusalem said that the occupation police besieged the house of Ahmed Adel Jaber Sa’ada, 24, who used to work as a driver, and barred citizens from reaching it. Policemen then sealed all entrances to the house. Zionist forces demolish house of brother of activist! Palestinian Information Center 12/8/2003 Bethlehem - Zionist terrorist forces have razed to the ground the house of Mustafa Abu Aker the brother of Bassam Abu Aker, who has been wanted for Zionist occupation for several years. The occupation troops stormed the Ayda refugee camp and headed to the four-story building before dynamiting it. The occupation soldiers arrested Ammar, son of Mustafa Abu Aker, and took him to the Atsion detention center to the south of Bethlehem. Rafah governor: Zionist “death wall” destroyed 1,320 houses Palestinian Information Center 12/8/2003 Rafah - The governor of Rafah, Majid Al-Agha, has charged that the Zionist segregation fence currently under construction along the border strip between Palestine and Egypt to the south of his city had destroyed 1,320 houses so far. He said that the destruction of those houses had led to the displacement of 1,670 families grouping 9,459 persons while partial demolition of houses covered 557 houses as a result of the constant Zionist random shooting. Zionist soldier wounds child with rifle butt Palestinian Information Center 12/7/2003 Al-Khalil - A Zionist soldier used his rifle butt to beat a 15 years old Palestinian child on his head seriously injuring him in his forehead in the West Bank city of Al-Khalil today. Eyewitnesses said that the child Ahmed Al-Muhtasib was heading back home near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old quarters of the city when soldiers blocked his way and beat him up. Meanwhile, one of the citizens said that he saw a Zionist soldier using the new American-Zionist gun (Corner Shot) in the same area. PNIC Statistic: IOF-Inflicted Palestinian Losses Over 37 Months of Intifada International Press Center 12/6/2003 GAZA, Palestine, December 6, 2003 (IPC) - - A recent statistical report prepared by the Palestinian National Information Center (PNIC) of the State Information Service (SIS) revealed that the Israeli occupying forces, over 37 months of the Al Aqsa Intifada, had killed 2,798 Palestiniancitizens. According to the PNIC, 509 of the Palestinians killed were children, while 185 were females. As for the victims of the illegal extrajudicial executions the IOF had perpetrated in the Palestinian territories, 208 "targeted" Palestinians were killed while 78 bystanders were killed during the course of the executions. Islamic Jihad head in Hebron admits contact with group HQ Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 The Islamic Jihad head in Hebron, Nur Jaber, admitted in a military tribunal Sunday that he was in touch with the general secretary of the militant group, Ramadan Shalah, a member of the Jihad headquarters in Damascus. Jaber, who has been accused of murdering 17 Israelis, said in answer to a question that he had not spoken with Shalah on the phone, but via "other means." Jaber said he reported to the Damascus headquarters on the terror attacks he carried out, but that the headquarters did not issue instructions for the attacks. Canadian national suspected of being Hamas assassin Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 The Shin Bet security service said Monday that it is holding a Palestinian with a Canadian passport who is suspected of being recruited by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip to carry out attacks on Israelis and Jews in Canada and the United States. Jamal Akkal, 23, who was arrested in early November, was born in the Nusseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip and emigrated to Canada in 1999. While he was visiting the Gaza Strip recently, he was allegedly contacted by Hamas militant Ahmed Wahabe, who is suspected of teaching Akkal to fire weapons and prepare explosive devices....Canadian foreign ministry officials said over the weekend that Akkal has complained of being subjected to lengthy interrogations without sleep, according to the Windsor Star newspaper in Ontario. Driver of Dolphinarium suicide bomber sentenced to 12 years Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 The Tel Aviv District Court on Monday handed a 12-year sentence to an Israeli Arab who drove the suicide bomber who blew himself up at the Dolphinarium in Tel Aviv in June 2001, killing 21 people. Mahmoud Nadi, 29, from Qalqilyah, was paid NIS 200 for driving the bomber. He was convicted of aiding in a murder. Nadi, who was convicted in the past of driving West Bank Palestinians into Israel, claimed that he did not know that his passenger intended to carry out a suicide attack, and therefore drove him and his seven-year old daughter. Islamic Jihad head in Hebron handed 17 life terms Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 The leader of the Islamic Jihad in Hebron, Nur Jaber, was sentenced to 17 consecutive life sentences Monday for sending terrorists to carry out two attacks last year, one on Worshippers Way in Hebron, and one in a hesder yeshiva (school combining Torah study with fighting in the army) in Otniel. Seventeen people were killed in the two attacks: 12 local security guards were killed in the Hebron shooting on November 15, 2002, and four yeshiva students were killed in the Otniel infiltration on December 27, 2002.

Diplomacy..

Cairo negotiations end without cease-fire Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 Talks in Cairo between the heads of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other factions, along with the Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia (Abu Ala), failed to achieve an agreed total or partial cease-fire. After the failure, Qureia tempered his original statement that the aim of the Cairo talks had been to achieve a cease-fire. "We did not ask to reach a cease-fire agreement," he said, "but just to reach understandings. In my opinion the differences in position are not great. Even after Cairo, we still aim for a cease-fire that includes conditions with Israel. UN votes 90-8 to ask Hague court for opinion on fence Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 The United Nations General Assembly approved on Monday a Palestinian-initiated resolution asking the International Court of Justice to issue an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of Israel's construction of the separation fence. Ninety nations voted in favor of the draft, eight opposed and 74 countries abstained. Israel condemned the resolution. Ra'anan Gissin, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's spokesperson, said, "This is an attempt... to delegitimize the right of the Jewish people to have a Jewish state that they can defend." Quraya still hopeful over truce Al-Jazeera 12/8/2003 Palestinian prime minister Ahmad Quraya has pledged to keep trying to persuade resistance groups to halt all anti-Israeli attacks. Palestinian groups, from President Yasir Arafat's Fatah to resistance groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, emerged from four days of talks in Cairo on Sunday unable to agree to halt the attacks. But Quraya, who made a suspension of attacks his priority in an attempt to restart peace talks with Tel Aviv, maintains an eventual agreement is still a possibility. Palestinian stalemate ups the tension Al-Jazeera 12/8/2003 As some leading Palestinians and Israelis signed a symbolic and controversial new peace accord in Geneva last week, Palestinian factions headed to Egypt to hold truce talks. But a week that began promisingly has ended in stalemate between Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmad Quraya and resistance groups committed to further action. Even among the groups there was bitter disagreement over how to proceed. Hamas, Fatah and 10 other Palestinian groups met near Cairo to formally discuss the possilibility of declaring a ceasefire....All of them have made clear that any ceasefire requires a clear commitment by Israel to stop construction of the apartheid wall in the West Bank, to halt Jewish settlement expansion, and to withdraw troops from Palestinian cities reoccupied after an uprising began in 2000. PM Qurei Seeks Reciprocal PNA-Israeli Ceasefire Palestine Media Center 12/8/2003 Palestinian Factions End 4 Days of Talks, Reject Israeli Conditions -- A Palestinian–Israeli meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday concluded only with an agreement to meet again to coordinate the final details of the planned meeting between premiers Ahmad Qurei and Ariel Sharon as the national Palestinian dialogue in Cairo ended Sunday after four days of talks without a final statement and with no agreement on a truce after factions rejected Israeli conditions for a ceasefire. The secretary general of the Palestine National Authority (PNA) Cabinet Hassan Abu-Libda and his Israeli counterpart the director of the prime minister’s bureau Dov Weisglass met Sunday evening to prepare for a first meeting between Prime ministers Qurei and Sharon. Nazzal: No hudna under Zionist aggressions Palestinian Information Center 12/8/2003 Cairo - Mohammed Nazzal, spokesman of the Hamas Movement at the inter-Palestinian Cairo dialogue and its political bureau member, has affirmed that his Movement would not accept forging a hudna under continued Zionist aggressions. Nazzal acknowledged that differences arose between his Movement and Islamic Jihad Movement on the one hand and the Fatah Movement on the other over details of such a hudna. Sheikh Yassin: We reject two-state solution Palestinian Information Center 12/8/2003 Gaza - Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, founder and spiritual leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, has renewed rejection of a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Zionist conflict. The Sheikh in an interview with the German magazine ‘Der Spiegel’ to be published today said that he opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside a Zionist state. He opined that such a solution would not succeed because Zionists demand 80% of the land leaving only 20% for the Palestinians (the indigenous people). It would be only a temporary solution, he elaborated. FM Sha'th: PNA Dismisses Geneva Accord, Adheres to Right of Return for Refugees International Press Center 12/8/2003 GAZA, Palestine, December 8, 2003 (IPC + Agencies) - - The Palestinian Foreign Minister, Nabil Sha’th, dismissed Sunday the unofficial Geneva Accord signed recently in Geneva between Palestinian and Israeli initiators, stressing that it was “a popular initiative to return to negotiations”. In an interview with SAWA American-sponsored radio yesterday, Sha’th said that the Palestinian government ‘can never abide by such an accord’ as its positions on the right of return, Jerusalem and the Israeli withdrawal, have been clear-cut and constant....He also reiterated the PNA utter rejection to the repatriation of Palestinian refugees in Arab states, stressing that whatever pressures might be exerted on the Palestinians, PNA would never accept such plans. Mubarak: We asked Palestinians to mandate Arafat Middle East Online 12/8/2003 CAIRO - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Monday that his government had asked the Palestinian factions meeting here to mandate Yasser Arafat to negotiate with Israel on their behalf. "We asked them to mandate the Palestinian Authority president and to support him so that he can negotiate with the Israeli side," Mubarak said during a press conference with visiting Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. "We assured them that he would keep them informed and that he would not work for his own interest," Mubarak added. Israel has ruled out Arafat as a negotiating partner, alleging that he is a sponsor of terrorism. Officials discuss Sharon-Qureia parley Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's bureau chief, Dov Weisglass, and political adviser, Shalom Turgeman, met yesterday with Palestinian Minister for Negotiations Saeb Erekat and Hassan Abu Libdeh, the bureau chief of Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia (Abu Ala). The two-hour meeting was aimed at laying the groundwork for a meeting between the two prime ministers. Both sides raised concrete proposals and agreed to meet again at the end of the week or beginning of next week to finalize a time, place and agenda for the summit meeting. Olmert: Qureia's days in office may be numbered Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday that Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia's days in office may be numbered after he failed to coax militant factions into a cease-fire with Israel. Hamas, Islamic Jihad and three other Palestinian factions on Sunday rejected an Egyptian proposal they halt all attacks against Israelis to give new impetus to the road map to peace. Qureia abruptly left the Cairo talks Sunday night when it became clear they were hitting a dead end. Qureia "failed to accomplish the most fundamental requirement" of the peace plan, Olmert told reporters at the Knesset on Monday. Israel Rebuffs Palestinian Offer Sparing Civilians Islam Online 12/7/2003 OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, December 7 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The defiant Israeli government of Ariel Sharon announced Sunday, December 7, that it would categorically reject any agreement reached by Palestinian factions meeting in Cairo, throwing a spanner in earnest peace efforts. "We will not accept half-measures and our only interlocutor is the Palestinian Authority," a source close to Sharon told Agence France-Presse (AFP). Abed Rabbo, Beilin Meet Annan and Clinton after Powell Palestine Chronicle 12/7/2003 UNITED NATIONS - German foreign minister Joschka Fischer, former US president Bill Clinton and former US Secretary of State Madeline Albright were among the latest supporters of the unofficial Palestinian–Israeli “Geneva Initiative”, as the co-authors were set to meet Arab officials in Cairo next month on their peace plan. The Israeli co-author Yossi Beilin told Israeli Radio Friday morning that the next step, after meeting US Secretary of State Powell, was next month’s meeting in Cairo between Geneva Initiative signatories and Arab countries, some which still do not have diplomatic relations with Israel. Israeli deputy PM talks withdrawal Al-Jazeera 12/7/2003 Israel's deputy prime minister has come under attack after proposing a withdrawal from most of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and parts of Jerusalem. Ehud Olmert's proposals, presented in an interview with the Yediot Ahronot daily on Sunday, are seen as a way for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to test reaction to such measures. Proposing Israel retreat to its own border, Olmert told journalists he was speaking for many members of the Likud Party who feel the same way. Israeli media have also quoted Sharon's advisers as saying that if peace efforts fail, he might dismantle some settlements, annex others and turn a separation barrier Israel is building in the West Bank into a border. Analysis / The chaos factor Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 The failure of Palestinian factions to reach a cease-fire agreement yesterday at the Cairo summit has left their leadership helpless and crumbling, which may mean the territories are headed for chaos. Hamas and Fatah must continue their dialogue, said senior Palestinian figures. The last meeting yesterday in Cairo was chaired by Egyptian General Omar Suleiman and included only the heads of the various organizations and for the Palestinian Authority, Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia and his national security adviser, Jibril Rajoub, who has recently become closely associated with Yasser Arafat. Palestinians seek fresh truce talks Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 Palestinian officials were seeking fresh truce talks with militants on Monday after Egyptian-brokered efforts to secure a comprehensive cease-fire failed. Hamas, Islamic Jihad and three other Palestinian factions on Sunday rejected an Egyptian proposal they halt all attacks against Israelis to give new impetus to the road map to peace. But members of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction said they would not accept 'No' as the final answer and would try to persuade militant factions to change their minds. Egypt urges U.S. to work for Syrian-Israeli peace Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 CAIRO - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said on Monday Syria's willingness to negotiate with Israel offered a good opportunity for peace talks, and Washington should push the two adversaries to the negotiating table. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in an interview published earlier this month, appealed to Washington to use its influence to revive talks between Israel and Syria. "President Bashar al-Assad has said he is ready to negotiate with Israel and I say that this is a good opportunity," Mubarak told a joint news conference during a visit by his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Israel will cooperate with Int'l Court on security fence Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 Israel will cooperate with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague if the United Nations General Assembly votes Monday to refer the issue of the West Bank separation fence to the court, and will argue that the decision to build the barrier was based on self-defense. The decision was taken earlier Monday in a meeting between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. The two decided to wait for the outcome of the vote before taking any action, but it was agreed that if the ICJ is asked to render an opinion on the legality of the fence, Israel will present its position that the barrier is legal and stands up to all standards of judicial scrutiny. Syria Disclaims Hizbullah Control, Israel Reports De-escalation An Nahar 12/8/2003 Syria's Information Minister Ahmed Al Hassan has asserted that his country "does not control Lebanon's Hizbullah," denying that President Assad has proposed a moratorium on attacks on Israel from South Lebanon in exchange for a cessation of Israeli air incursions into Lebanese skies. "Syria's relationship with Hizbullah is one of support for any true resistance movement struggling to liberate occupied land," Hassan said in an interview published by the London-based Asharq Al Awsat newspaper on Monday....The Syrian stance coincided with an assertion by Israeli chief of staff Lt. Gen. Moshe Yaalon that Syria and Hizbullah were lately going out of their way to avert an escalation on the borders with Israel. Hamas leader rejects Israeli state The Age 12/8/2003 As talks drag on towards a possible Palestinian-Israeli ceasefire, the spiritual leader of the Islamic militant group Hamas has rejected Israel's existence as "a Jewish apartheid state on the land of Palestine". In an interview published in the German magazine Der Spiegel, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin said there was no place in the region for an exclusive Jewish state; if Israelis wanted one "they can found a state in Europe". The target earlier this year of a failed Israeli assassination attempt, the veteran Hamas spiritual leader was speaking as Palestinian factions, including Hamas, met in Cairo to discuss a possible ceasefire with Israel. Symbolic fight for Israel at UN Christian Science Monitor 12/8/2003 A special session of the UN will be convened Monday to discuss Israel's growing separation barrier in the West Bank. -- Arab members of the United Nations have convened another special session of the world body Monday to denounce the separation barrier Israel is building across the West Bank. And following its stated formula, the United States will once again be one of the few countries to vote against the resolution. A similar vote in October went 144-4 against Israel. Court to examine Israeli barrier BBC 12/8/2003 The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution asking the International Court of Justice to consider the legality of the Israeli barrier. Israel is building a controversial barrier inside the West Bank, which it says is needed to stop suicide bombers. The vote was 90 to eight, with 74 abstentions, with the US and Israel among those voting "No". In October, the assembly adopted a resolution demanding that Israel halt construction of the barrier. Abed Rabbo, Beilin received warmly in United States Daily Star 12/8/2003 Negotiators of geneva initiative met by annan, given widespread media coverage - But some Arab and Zionist groups criticize accord, and major question looms over right of return for refugees -- WASHINGTON: Yasser Abed Rabbo and Yossi Beilin, the self- styled Palestinian and Israeli peace negotiators who managed over a period of 30 months to negotiate the “Geneva Initiative” blueprint for a final status agreement between their peoples, took Washington by storm last week. Cairo Meeting Failed to Produce a Truce Agreement, butDiscussions Would Continue International Middle East Media Center 12/8/2003 Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei left Cairo after a last minute crisis prevented the signing of a cease-fire agreement. The dispute was focused around the timing and conditions to announce a truce. Fatah delegation requested an “in principle” signed truce agreement that would allow for Qurei to advance talks with Israel and the United States and demand guarantees for an Israeli commitment to a truce agreement. Hamas and 4 other resistance groups insisted on examining such guarantees prior to announcing a truce agreement. The mediation efforts, which attempted to bring about a conditional agreement that saves civilians on both sides, reached a dead end after Hamas did not accept the comprehensive truce deal that Fatah delegation insisted on. Cairo Talks over Ceasefire “Hudna” Ends Without Deal International Press Center 12/8/2003 GAZA, December 8, 2003 (IPC + Agencies) - - The Palestinian factions talks in Cairo to reach a ceasefire “Hudna” with Israel has botched after four days of deliberations. Notwithstanding, Palestinian officials said that a fresh ceasefire would be sought on Monday, after Egyptian-brokered efforts to secure a comprehensive ceasefire brought no fruit. Ahmed Ghunaim, key Fateh leader, said that Cario talks with the Palestinian factions will continue inside the occupied Paletsainin territories and the Palestinian cabinet will continue its peace pursuits depite the collapse of Cairo talks. Ya'alon: Hezbollah keeping quiet on northern border Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 Chief of Staff Moshe Yaalon told the government yesterday that Syria and Hezbollah had recently restrained their activities along Israel's northern border, in order not to stir things up. In a security briefing yesterday, Yaalon said that whereas in the past, Hezbollah had fired at Israeli aircraft over northern parts of the country, the organization had now taken to firing anti-aircraft shots at Israel's air force far beyond Israel's borders. Hamas blames PA leadership for failure of cease-fire talks Palestinian Information Center 12/8/2003 Occupied Jerusalem - The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, blamed the Palestinian leadership for the failure of inter-Palestinian ceasefire talks in Cairo. Hamas officials attributed the collapse of the Cairo talks to PA failure to achieve a broad-based Palestinian consensus on strategy and policy toward the Zionist occupation. Hamas representative Muhammed Nazzal, who participated in the Cairo talks, said the talks would have succeeded had the PA Chairman Yasser Arafat and his Prime Minister Ahmed Qreai’ consulted with Hamas on how to deal with the Zionists. Israel rejects proposal for truce within Green Line Ha'aretz 12/7/2003 Palestinian groups reach an agreement in principle, allowing attacks against soldiers and settlers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.-- Israel on Saturday rejected an agreement by Palestinians meeting in Cairo to halt suicide bombings in Israel without also agreeing to stop shooting at Israel Defense Forces soldiers or settlers, a senior official told Reuters.

Human Rights..

Member of Knesset proposes banning Palestinians from burying their dead in the Old City Palestinian Information Center 12/8/2003 Nablus - A senior official in the Awqaf Ministry (Ministry of Islamic Endowments) rejected a proposal by the extremist member of the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, which bans Palestinians from burying their dead inside Jerusalem walls. Mr. Adnan Alhusaini, director of Jerusalem Awqaf, said that Palestinians will completely disregard this proposal describing it as childish; adding that it would be extremely unusual should the Israeli Government endorse it. He added that these proposals mean nothing to the Palestinians, stressing that the Israeli government has no business in meddling in Islamic holy places which falls within the prerogative of the Islamic Awqaf. Unlawful Israeli transfer orders devastate Palestinian families Palestine Monitor 12/8/2003 Last Thursday evening 12 Palestinian detainees were released from Israeli administrative arrest but rather than being allowed to return to their homes and families in the West Bank, they were taken under the cover of darkness and abandoned in the Gaza Strip. Here, according to unlawful Israeli deportation orders the twelve must now stay for periods extending up to two years. Prior to Thursday, when the Israeli High Court passed the decision to deport the men to Gaza, the prisoners were being held without charges or trial, under administrative arrest and had already been imprisoned for many months. Occupation authorities pass administrative detention order against female detainee Palestinian Information Center 12/8/2003 Ramallah - Zionist occupation authorities have passed three months administrative detention order against Fidaa Al-Rumahi in the Ramle prison for women. Palestinian sources said that the occupation authorities ordered the detention of Rumahi under trivial security pretexts. The Zionist security authorities claimed that they had a secret file against her that they could not disclose before her lawyer, the sources added. Indictment Issued Against Israeli Soldier in killing of Palestinian Child in Gaza Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 12/7/2003 In response to a complaint submitted by PCHR on behalf of the family of a Palestinian child killed by an Israeli soldier in March 2002, the office of the Israeli Military Prosecutor of the Southern Command stated on 4 December that an Israeli soldier has been charged with “causing death by negligence.”PCHR submitted a complaint to the Israeli military legal advisor on 3 April 2003 in respect of the killing of 8-year-old Mahmoud Hassan Ahmed al-Talalqa, calling for an investigation into the killing, the prosecution of those found responsible, and provision of compensation to al-Talalqa's family.On 28 July 2003, PCHR received an initial response from the Israeli Military Prosecutor's Office stating that an investigation into the child’s death would be initiated. Reinstatement of Psychometric Exam Discriminates against Arab Students in University Admissions Adalah 12/4/2003 On 27 November 2003, Ha'aretz published a news article concerning changes in university admissions policies, specifically to reinstate the psychometric exam as a criterion for admissions. The article's author characterized the policy decision - made by the Committee of the Heads of Israeli Universities, which is comprised of the Presidents of Israel's universities - as a thinly veiled effort to limit the number of Arab students admitted. Israeli occupation implements unlawful transfer order against 12 Palestinians International Press Center 12/6/2003 GAZA, December6, 2003 (IPC+Agencies)-- Israeli Occupying Forces transferred 12 Palestinians Friday overnight from the West Bank, to the Gaza Strip. This follows a ruling issued by the Israeli High Court Tuesday morning approving transfer orders issued against the group. One group of four Palestinians was dumped by Israeli occupying forces at a location near the Erez checkpoint yesterday evening at approximately 11pm. MANDILA: A Palestinian Prisoner in an Israeli Jail Dies Due to Inadequate Medication International Press Center 12/8/2003 NABLUS, Palestine, December 8, 2003 (IPC+ Agencies)-- Bashir Ewais,33, of the West Bank refugee camp of Balata, near Nablus,died onMonday in an Israeli hospital after having sustained severe brain thrombosis in the past few days. According to MANDILA, a local Palestinian organization concerned with prisoners affairs, Ewais, sustained on December 4, a high temperature and continued vomiting, then was transferred by the Majedo prison’s doctor to the Afoula Israeli hospital. Amnesty International Launches Human Rights Week in Lebanon An Nahar 12/8/2003 Amnesty International-Lebanon has launched a human rights week for a third straight year in downtown Beirut, marking the 55th anniversary of the universal declaration of Human Rights, the local press noted on Monday. The launching ceremony on Sunday was dramatized by a speech from coordinator Charles Nasrallah, demanding a cessation of human rights violations in Lebanon, Palestine and plus a score of other world nations and asserting the universality of human rights defense.

Economy..

Average pay rises 4% in third quarter Ha'aretz 12/8/2003 The drop in wages stopped in the third quarter and the gross average wage of Israeli workers rose 4 percent compared with the second quarter, the Central Bureau of Statistics said yesterday. Gross average wages declined throughout 2002 and in the first two quarters of 2003. The average wage Israelis grossed in September 2003 rose to NIS 7,077, compared with NIS 6,982 in August 2003 for the 2.311 million salaried employees in Israel. The number of salaried employees also rose by 0.5 percent in the quarter. World Bank Grants PNA $15 Million International Press Center 12/8/2003 GAZA, December 6, 2003 (IPC + Agencies) - - The World Bank approved yesterday a $15 million assistance grant to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) for disbursement on education, health and social services due to the harsh economic conditions Palestinians live in. The World Bank issued a statement stressing that the grant that was approved by the bank’s council of trustees, will be distributed on the educational, health and social sectors in both Gaza Strip and West Bank. Gaza power company plans stock listing Daily Star 12/8/2003 Palestinians’ economic woes need more than just outside aid -- UNITED NATIONS: As Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza struggle to survive in a crisis economy marked by an estimated 50 percent unemployment rate, the main supplier of electricity to thousands of residents is confident enough in future recovery to be planning a public stock offering early in the new year....Meanwhile, the European Union is again stirring entrepreneurial juices in the territory. The 15-nation group is providing a $40 million grant of emergency aid, part of which is intended to help small and medium-sized private industry hit by the continuing Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Netanyahu: We'll continue shrinking public sector Globes 12/8/2003 "You can't have social policy in isolation from economic policy," the Finance Minister told the Israel Business Conference. -- Mnister of finance Benjamin Netanyahu appeared this evening at the closing session of the Globes Israel Business Conference 2003. He opened his remarks by saying that Israel was undergoing deep economic change, but that he did not underestimate the difficulty facing Israel's people. As soon as he began to speak, Netanyahu was interrupted by demonstrators who shouted at the conference participants "You are making two states, one for the poor and one for the rich" and "You paid a thousand shekels to be here while people have nothing to eat." October retail sales up 2.8%, food sales 5.7% Globes 12/8/2003 Retail sales fell 2.8% in January-October 2003, compared with the corresponding period last year. -- Seasonally adjusted sales by retail chains and stores rose 2.8% in October, while food sales were up 5.7%, owing to heavy holiday sales, according to Central Bureau of Statistics figures. The October rise in sales follows a 4% decline in retail and food sales in the preceding months. Gordon Brown: I’ll work to remove EU restrictions on Israeli exports Globes 12/8/2003 Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown has promised to work to remove European Union (EU) restrictions on Israeli exports. According to Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce chairman Uriel Lynn, Brown pledged his government’s support for the removal of the limitations at a meeting of the Israeli-Britain Business Council in London at the end of last week. Lynn had asked Britain to support the easing of EU restrictions on made-in-Israel products. At the meeting, Delta Galil Industries chairman Dov Lautman said, “The restrictions on cumulation in the rules of origin should be neutralized.” Lautman was referring to recognition of goods produced partly in Israel and partly in third countries, including Jordan, as Israeli products for all purposes, to be included in the Israel-EU association agreement, which would facilitate customs-exempt exports of these products to the EU. Social activists disrupt Netanyahu speech Ha'aretz 12/7/2003 A handful of social activists heckled Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday during his speech at the Israel Business Conference 2003 in Tel Aviv. "If you're so worried about the weaker segments of society, why are you planning an economic plan that is so damaging to them?" one called out. Another said, "You're creating two countries, one for the rich and one for the poor." The activists, who belong to the Social Action Forum, entered the hall uninvited and started shouting a few minutes after Netanyahu took the podium. Several demonstrators managed to mount the platform where Netanyahu was standing. Sharon backs Olmert on labeling territories exports Globes 12/8/2003 Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said that labeling Israeli products was the right thing to do. -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today gave full public support to Minister of Industry, Trade, and Labor Ehud Olmert’s decision to label exports from the territories designated for export to the European Union (EU). In summarizing the discussion at a special session of the Likud Knesset faction, Sharon said, “The decision to label products was taken properly, and was the right thing to do under the circumstances.” Sharon also refrained from condemning Olmert’s proposal for a unilateral withdrawal from most of the territories. Sharon: Pension funds would be lost if gov't hadn't acted Globes 12/8/2003 "The government I head will complete the structural changes in the Israeli economy." -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said at the Israel Business Conference this evening that Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu deserved his full backing in implementing the economic plan. Sharon said at the conference closing session that the Israeli economy had been though three tough years, but that in the past year we had begun to see budding growth.

People..

The Peace Cycle 2004 Palestinian Information Center 12/8/2003 London - A group of peace activists in the UK are organizing a cycle ride from London to Jerusalem. The main aim of this event is to raise awareness of the plight of the Palestinian people due to the continuing Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, which is denying peace and security to all the people of the region. Up to 200 cyclists will ride across Europe, with media events in each town or city, and cyclists joining all the time en route. The ride will start in London (probably Trafalgar Square) on either 7th or 14th August 2004. It is intended that the start will coincide with a big rally for Palestine, to be organised with the support of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, The Friends of Al-Aqsa and other pro-Palestinian groups. Ghassan Salhab finds inspiration in Beirut Daily Star 12/8/2003 Film-maker explores paradoxes of identity, nationhood, individualism-- Ghassan Salhab, described by Jacques Mandelbaum’s Le Monde as the key figure of a new generation of Lebanese film-makers, never deliberately decided to return to Beirut. After 27 years of living in between Paris and Beirut, he just sort of “slipped” back. He wasn’t hoping for an easier ride in Lebanon ­ although he admits, he had started getting sick of wearing jumpers all the time ­ but quite the opposite in fact. Despite Mandelbaum’s eulogy, Ghassan Salhab cannot be branded as a Lebanese filmmaker. Maybe he is, as far as working on Beirut through his films, but not as far as his own nationality goes.

International..

Israel losing PR battle Al-Jazeera 12/7/2003 On 4 December, Tamar Lebes, head of the department of communications at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, warned that Israel was in danger of being defeated in the media war. "Israel has been routed, and even the Israeli government is finally coming to realize that its defeat in the media battle may well decide the ultimate outcome of its war," said Liebes in an article published in the right-wing Israeli newspaper, the Jerusalem Post. Moreover, just recently, Israeli cabinet minister Tommy Lapid warned that Israel was losing “the public relations battle” with the Palestinians. He warned that world opinion was turning against Israel because of the disparity between what Israel is saying to the world and what the army and settlers are doing in the occupied territories. Meet the 'Terror Tourists' BBC 12/7/2003 Lisa Reed is nervous. Wearing only a light T-shirt and combat trousers she is on patrol through the deserted Arab streets of Hebron....Lisa Reed is one of a unique new group of "Terror Tourists". She and four other American men have signed up for Operation Shiloh - an intensive five-day course in counter-terrorism run by Israeli entrepreneurs Yehoshua Mizrachi and Jay Greenwald in association with commandos from the country's Special Forces. The aim is to equip ordinary American men and women with military survival skills in the event of a terrorist attack on their homes or neighbourhoods. Police kill Saudi 'most wanted' BBC 12/8/2003 The Saudi authorities say security forces have shot dead a suspected Islamist militant in a gun battle at a petrol station in the capital, Riyadh. The interior ministry said Ibrahim al-Rayes was listed last week among 26 most wanted terrorism suspects. Security services said they attempted to arrest him after residents provided information as to his whereabouts. The authorities have offered a reward of more than $0.25m for information leading to the arrest of any suspects. Hizbullah Denounces Chirac's Criticism of Islamic Veil An Nahar 12/8/2003 Hizbullah has denounced as an "offense to Islam" French President Jacques Chirac's characterization of the Islamic veil for women as an "aggressive" social display, insisting that the Hijab is one of the "great pillars" of the faith. In remarks published Monday in An Nahar, Sheikh Naim Qassem, deputy secretary-general of the group, questioned how France preaches "democracy and freedom of expression," when its president denies Muslim girls the right to wear the veil in schools. Lula departs having increased bilateral cooperation Daily Star 12/8/2003 Baabda statement says negotiations under way for further agreements -- Brazilian President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva left Lebanon Saturday after a three-day visit, during which he held meetings with President Emile Lahoud, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Lula had also addressed MPs in Parliament on Friday, before meeting members of the Brazilian community in Lebanon. The Lebanon visit was part of a regional tour, which includes the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Libya. The Brazilian delegation was made up of Foreign Minister Celsio Amorim, senior officials in the Brazilian government, and a delegation of businessmen. Troops arrest NTV owner for alleged contacts with Israel Daily Star 12/8/2003 Station denies charges as Khayyat gets quick release -- Tahseen Khayyat, the chairman of New Television (NTV), was arrested Saturday on charges of entering into illegal relations with Israel and “slandering a friendly nation,” but was released Sunday on his own recognizance. On Saturday evening, Lebanese Army troops entered the station’s premises in Wata al-Mosseitbeh and searched the offices. Phalangists unable to unite for anniversary Daily Star 12/8/2003 Pakradouni praises Syria for backing resistance and maintaining peace -- Two separate celebrations of the 67th birthday of the establishment of the Phalange Party were held on Sunday, one by the Phalange Party and the other by the Phalange Opposition. The gathering of the first was presided over by Minister of State for Administrative Development Karim Pakradouni while the second by the party’s former president, Elie Karami....Pakradouni condemned the US Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act and said that the bill served the interests of Israel. Western tourists abducted in Iran BBC 12/8/2003 A group of Western tourists has been kidnapped in south-eastern Iran. Iranian Government sources have said there are three missing people, two German and one Irish. They say the tourists were abducted as they cycled between the city of Bam and Zahedan near the Pakistani border - a notorious drug-smuggling area. German Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Antje Leendertse said a crisis team had been set up amid indications that Germans may be involved. World Bank official: Region needs 100 million new jobs Daily Star 12/8/2003 MENA youth face bleak prospects - Result of steady increase in population means that current workforce will be doubled in next 20 years -- Some 100 million new jobs must be created in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) over the next two decades, according to the World Bank ­ a daunting prospect for a region suffering from one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. “Labor is in a very tight and difficult situation,” said Mustafa Kamel Nabli, the chief economist and World Bank director of economic and social development for MENA. Libya scraps Arab League meeting Al-Jazeera 12/8/2003 Libya, which is threatening to withdraw from the Arab League, has reportedly cancelled at the last minute a meeting of Arab environment ministers due to take place in Benghazi. The two-day meeting of the league's environment ministers was set for Monday. But the Libyans "apologised at the last minute and told the Arab League they could not host the forum", an unnamed league source told AFP on Monday. Lula pledges deeper ties with Egypt Middle East Online 12/8/2003 CAIRO - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vowed here Monday to deepen political, economic, trade and cultural ties with Egypt during the first visit here by a Brazilian head of state in 133 years. During a joint press conference with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Lula said his country was committed to "making all possible efforts to reinforce political, cultural, economic and trade ties with Egypt." Tripoli urged to explain disappearance Al-Jazeera 12/8/2003 A human rights group is calling on Libya to explain the mysteriousdisappearance of a prominent activist. Amnesty International said it wants to put an end to the suffering of the wife and children of human rights activist Mansur al-Kikhiya, who vanished 10 years ago in Egypt. Al-Kikhiya, a Libyan national, was last seen on 10 December 1993 in Cairo where he was attending an Arab human rights conference. On Purchasing Syrian Beer By Gary Leupp, CounterPunch 12/6/2003 Congress has decided to impose sanctions on Syria, thereby cooperating with the Bush administration's program for regime change in Damascus and the complete remaking of the Middle East....If one were to propose a modest strategy to resist that effort, one might begin by exploring ways to buy Syrian beer. In doing so one might express solidarity with the Syrian people targeted for attack, while promoting international cultural exchange. Syrian beer? You ask incredulously. They're not supposed to have that sort of thing, being Muslims and all. But in fact the Syrians in ancient times pioneered in brewing. EU ponders security link with Middle East EU Observer 12/5/2003 EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Foreign ministries are this evening (5 December) examining plans which could see the EU launch a major security initiative with Middle Eastern countries. The EUobserver has learned that proposals are being considered to set up a security dialogue between the EU and countries to the "South and East of Jordan", perhaps including Iran. Although part of a working paper called "The Strength of EU relations with the Arab world", diplomats say the term Arab may be dropped in order to ramp up the Union's policy of constructive engagement with the Islamic Republic. Britain's Home Secretary blocks return of Guantanamo Bay detainees Yahoo! News 12/8/2003 Britain's Home Secretary David Blunkett is blocking moves to repatriate British detainees held by the United States in Guantanamo Bay, fearing he would have to release them soon after their arrival back home. The United States had offered to send at least some of the nine Britons held at the US military base in Cuba back to Britain for trial, but a decision on their future was being delayed because government ministers here were split over the proposal, The Sunday Times said. Emirates signs $1.5bn engine deal BBC 12/8/2003 General Electric and Pratt & Whitney have won a $1.5bn deal to supply up to191 engines for Emirates' planned fleet of Airbus A380 aircraft. The engine contract is one of the first to be awarded for the A380, a wide-bodied jet currently awaiting delivery to half-a-dozen airlines. The two US firms are to supply their jointly-developed GP7200 engine. Emirates bought 21 A380s in July, doubling its existing order, and making it one of Airbus's biggest customers.

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