IOF
Soldiers Kill 16-year-old, Persist in Detention Spree
Palestine Media Center, December 18, 2002
A 16 year-old Palestinian boy was killed and two other persons were injured,
when a shell fired by an Israeli tank, slammed into a house in the Gaza Strip
city of Khan Younis, Palestinian security and medical sources reported Tuesday.
Playing
Toss, Israelis Force Palestinians to Choose Torture Method
Palestine Chronicle, December 17, 2002
"Israeli torture methods vary from breaking a right hand, a left hand, a head,
a hand and a leg, both legs, a tooth, a nose or simply a shot with a bullet
.." -- HEBRON - Among various torture schemes adopted by Israeli occupation
forces against Palestinians is a so-called "toss" game whereby they force
Palestinians to choose their own type of torture.
Nablus
Residents Fall Under Fire of Israeli Army
Palestine Chronicle, December 17, 2002
"Later in the day, Israeli forces fired on a group of hundreds of young men,
most of whom were attempting to get to Al-Najah University .." -- NABLUS -
One day after Israeli forces invaded Al-Najah University in Nablus, they opened
fire on thousands of civilians in the city, as they tried to reach their schools
and workplaces.
Assad
calls Blair conference irrelevant
The Guardian, December 18, 2002
The Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, dismissed as irrelevant Tony Blair's
planned Middle East peace conference yesterday less than 24 hours after Downing
Street announced it.
Court
slams prison conditions where Palestinians were held
Ha'aretz, December 18, 2002
The High Court on Wednesday issued a ruling critical of the conditions at
two prison installations where Palestinians were held during the army's Operation
Defensive Shield in the West Bank in April.
State
can't hold illegal aliens for more than 60 days, court rules
Ha'aretz, December 18, 2002
The state may not jail someone for more than 60 days under the Entry to Israel
Law, according to a precedent-setting court ruling issued last week. The ruling
has broad implications for hundreds of foreign workers and Palestinians detained
under this law for long periods before being deported from the country.
Knesset
approves 2003 state budget, arrangements bill and tax reform
Ha'aretz, December 18, 2002
The Knesset yesterday passed the 2003 budget and the accompanying Economic
Arrangements Law, as well as a tax reform package that takes effect on January
1. The NIS 269.8 billion budget passed shortly after midnight by a vote of
54-25 with 11 abstentions. The Arrangements Law passed 56-33 with 11 abstentions,
while the tax reform passed 57-17 with 20 abstentions.
IDF
halts razing of Bethlehem houses of peace activists
Ha'aretz, December 18, 2002
The Israel Defense Forces yesterday halted the planned demolition of five
houses in Bethlehem after discovering that the owners were peace activists
who enjoy the patronage of both the American Embassy and Senator and former
first lady Hillary Clinton.
Palestinian
Christian Leader Goes On Hunger Strike
Islam Online, December 18, 2002
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, December 18 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) –
Sources close to Archmandrite Attallah Hanna, of the Greek Orthodox Church
in occupied Jerusalem started an open hunger strike on Monday, December 16,
to protest a case raised against him two days ago by the Greek Patriarch of
Jerusalem Arinous I calling for him to be present in court after 30 days.
Knesset
passes 2003 budget by large majority
Globes, December 18, 2002
At third reading, the budget passed by a majority of 54 to 25,
with 11 abstentions. The 2003 budget and the Arrangements Bill
were given final approval by the Knesset last night in record
time.
Palestinians:
Youth killed by IDF in Gaza
Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2002
Israeli troops shot and killed a 15-year-old youth and wounded two others
in the Gaza Strip town of Rafah on Wednesday, Palestinian witnesses said.
EU
Calls for Boosting Peace Process, Urges Further US involvement
Palestine Media Center, December 18, 2002
EU Security Chief Welcomes Blair Invitation -- The EU High Representative
for Common Foreign and Security Policy called Tuesday for a resurgence of
peace process efforts amidst a lack of progress being made by Mideast mediators
and said he yearned for a more active American role to help solve the ongoing
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
President
Arafat: Israel is Violating Freedom of Worship
Palestine Media Center, December 18, 2002
President Yasser Arafat stressed, following a meeting Tuesday with a Christian
delegation at his headquarters in Ramallah that the Israeli government continues
to violate freedom of worship, calling upon international community to pressure
the Jewish state into allowing the Palestinian people to celebrate Christmas.
Israeli
occupying forces demolished 16 houses and destroyed 8 greenhouses in Rafah
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, December 16, 2002
In a continuation of the military actions against Palestinian civilians and
their property, on Sunday evening, 15 December 2002, Israeli occupying forces
demolished 16 houses and destroyed 8 greenhouses in the 'Oraiba area in Rafah.
Cameraman
records the slaughter of bicycling children
Arab News, December 18, 2002
The tank pulls into view, its barrel pointing straight down Jasmine Street
towards the children cycling back from the shops after buying a chocolate
bar. On a nearby rooftop an amateur cameraman stops panning across the Jenin
skyline and films the group of stick figures moving quickly away from the
Israeli war machine. Suddenly a plume of orange erupts from the barrel and
the cameraman dives for cover as shrapnel slams into the second-story wall
just below him. This is the first filmed record of the incident in which,
Palestinians say, Israeli forces opened fire on civilians who ventured out
into a quiet middle-class neighborhood of Jenin on June 21, mistakenly believing
that the curfew had been lifted.
The
State Starts to Put the 14 Settlements Plan Into Action in Araqeeb
Arab Association for Human Rights , December 16, 2002
A year ago, the RCUV revealed the governmental plan to build 14 new Jewish
settlements on Bedouin land in the Negev which belongs to both unrecognized
villages citizens and to those people who were transferred in 1951 for what
was meant to be a 6-months period. Today, these citizens of the state are
still forbidden from going back to their lands and to their villages (which
include the village of Araqeeb).
Israel
passes controversial budget
BBC, December 18, 2002
Israel's parliament has passed the controversial 270bn shekel (£36bn; $60bn)
2003 budget in its last session before next year's elections.
Palestinians
in Lebanon storm UNRWA office over medical aid cuts
Jordan Times, December 18, 2002
TYRE, Lebanon (AFP) — Palestinian refugees stormed on Tuesday an office
of the UN Relief Work Agency (UNRWA) in southern Lebanon to protest cuts in
medical aid which they said led to the death of a heart patient.
U.S.
said set to delay 'road map' until after Israeli elections
Ha'aretz, December 18, 2002
Despite European pressure, the Bush administration will announce this week
that it will hold off officially presenting its "road map for Middle East
peace" plan until after Israel's January 28 general elections, Israel Radio
reported Wednesday.
Jerusalem
Patriarch: Mideast leaders must make peace or quit
Ha'aretz, December 18, 2002
Michel Sabbah: 'I am calling on all those who are unable to make peace to
step down.' -- Israeli and Palestinian leaders should make peace or quit,
the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the Holy Land said Wednesday, in
an unusually direct criticism of the leaders of both sides.
Senior
official in Washington embassy thought behind leak
Ha'aretz, December 18, 2002
A senior official in Israel's Washington embassy is the prime suspect in an
investigation into how details were leaked of the strategic dialogue held
last month between Israel and the U.S., Jerusalem sources said Wednesday.
The details of the talks were published in Ha'aretz.
Labor
has its own problematic ballots
Ha'aretz, December 18, 2002
After nearly 60 percent of the Labor Party's 100,000 registered voters went
to the polls to select their Knesset list, party chairman Amram Mitzna said
the election was a paradigm of properly run democracy, without intrigue, deals
or political assassinations.
PM
calls for adopting road map to Mideast peace soonest
Jordan Times, December 18, 2002
AMMAN (Petra) — Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb called on Tuesday for
adopting the road map to Middle East peace as soon as possible, and stressed
that dialogue was the only means to settle the Iraqi crisis.
Jerusalem
Chorus Performs Christmas Concert at Israeli Checkpoint
Palestine Chronicle, December 17, 2002
"Dozens of Palestinians came to the checkpoint to listen to the group sing
Christmas carols in the rain, in the midst of Israeli soldiers and armored
vehicles .." -- OCCUPIED JERUSALEM - On Monday morning, a group of Palestinian
and international singers performed their annual Christmas Concert at an Israeli
checkpoint near Ramallah.
Mitzna:
will not enter unity government with Sharon's current demands
Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2002
Labor Party Chairman Amram Mitzna said Wednesday that he would not be prepared
to sit in a national unity government with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon under
current conditions, Army Radio reported.
Bush
Likely to Declare Iraq in Violation
The Guardian, December 18, 2002
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush's national security advisers are recommending
that he declare Iraq in violation of a United Nations disarmament order, administration
officials say, but they do not consider the indictment an immediate trigger
for war.
Britain
could act without UN ruling, says Hoon
The Guardian, December 18, 2002
Britain and the United States could take military action against Iraq without
the United Nations ruling there has been a breach of security council resolution
1441, the defence secretary Geoff Hoon said today.
Few
but proud: US antiwar activists in Iraq
The Christian Science Monitor, December 17, 2002
A Chicago-based group has set up a 'peace team' in Baghdad -- BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- If American bombs are going to fall on Baghdad, American peace activist
Cynthia Banas intends to be alongside Iraqis in the target zone. "Some people
just can't understand how I can go to Iraq," says the retired librarian from
Vernon, N.Y. "But if you can risk your life in a war [as a soldier], why can't
you risk your life for peace?"
Bush
'to dismiss Iraqi arms dossier'
BBC, December 18, 2002
US forces are massing in the Gulf -- US President George W Bush is expected
to declare Iraq in violation of United Nations resolutions on disarmament,
administration officials say.
Vatican:
Inspection in Iraq should cover Israel
Arabic News, December 18, 2002
The Vatican yesterday said the operations of the international inspection
in Iraq should also include other countries like Israel "which the UN had
taken a decision against it that has been forgotten."
Pentagon
aide says German "no" on Iraq war equals support for Saddam
ProLog, December 17, 2002
BERLIN, Dec 17 (AFP) - Top Pentagon advisor Richard Perle said in an interview
Tuesday that a German "no" to strikes against Baghdad on the UN Security Council
would be akin to backing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Iraq:
Bush increases pressure
BBC, December 18, 2002
The next stage of American strategy towards Iraq appears to be to increase
the pressure by accusing Saddam Hussein of violating Security Council resolution
1441 but without using that as a trigger for immediate war.
American
planes strike radar moved into Iraqi no-fly zones
Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2002
WASHINGTON - Iraqi forces moved a mobile radar unit into the country's southern
no-fly zone and American aircraft bombed it Wednesday, defense officials said.
Iraq
deployment under way as MoD charters troop ships for Gulf
The Guardian, December 18, 2002
MoD charters troop ships for Gulf -- The first preparations for a major
British deployment for war against Iraq were revealed yesterday as defence
officials disclosed that ships were being chartered to carry troops and heavy
armour to the Gulf.
Navy
taskforce to set sail
BBC, December 18, 2002
No decisions taken on military action, says Mr Hoon -- The aircraft carrier
Ark Royal is to lead a naval taskforce sailing towards the Gulf next month,
on their way to "long-planned" exercises in the Indian Ocean.
Germany
was 'key supplier' of Saddam supplier
The Guardian, December 18, 2002
Iraq has identified Germany as the country whose companies did most to help
Baghdad in its drive to acquire weapons of mass destruction, said a German
newspaper yesterday.
UK
task force to head for Iraq in four weeks
The Independent, December 18, 2002
A massive British task force will be heading for Iraq within four weeks even
if there is no proof that Saddam Hussein's government is in material breach
of the UN resolution on weapons of mass destruction.
Leaked
report says German and US firms supplied arms to Saddam
The Independent, December 18, 2002
Iraq's 11,000-page report to the UN Security Council lists 150 foreign companies,
including some from America, Britain, Germany and France, that supported Saddam
Hussein's weapons of mass destruction programme, a German newspaper said yesterday.
Iraqi
dissidents 'build the ark but fail to find a Noah'
The Guardian, December 18, 2002
Iraq's notoriously fractious opposition groups produced a long-delayed show
of unity yesterday, but only by nominating a 65-member leadership committee
which they hope will see them through to the collapse of Saddam Hussein's
regime.
Exile
jostling dominates Iraq talks
BBC, December 17, 2002
There was tension, acrimony and dramatic walkouts -- Iraqi opposition groups
have ended four days - and four long nights - of often heated discussions
with the announcement of agreement on a blueprint for Iraq's political future
after Saddam Hussein.
Security
Council Members Get Iraq Papers
The Guardian, December 18, 2002
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The 10 non-permanent Security Council members finally
got their chance to pick up a sanitized version of Iraq's weapons declaration
on Tuesday night, less than two days before U.N. inspectors give their preliminary
assessment of the 12,000-page document.
Inspectors
Visit Six New Sites in Iraq
The Guardian, December 18, 2002
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - U.N. experts visited six sites in Iraq for the first
time under the new inspection program Wednesday and revisited a military site
north of Baghdad and a complex used to extend the range of Scud missiles imported
from the former Soviet Union.
'US
could fight Iraq in summer heat'
Jordan Times, December 18, 2002
LONDON (R) — Searing desert heat will not prevent the United States
from leading a war against Iraq in the summer, British defence sources said
on Tuesday, defying conventional wisdom the weather would stand in Washington's
way.
Iraq
Identified Nuclear Program Suppliers
The Guardian, December 18, 2002
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Dozens of suppliers, most in Europe, the United States
and Japan, provided the components and know-how Saddam Hussein needed to build
an atomic bomb, according to Iraq's 1996 accounting of its nuclear program.
Non-Permanent
Council Gets Iraq Papers
The Guardian, December 18, 2002
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The 10 non-permanent Security Council members finally
got their chance to pick up a sanitized version of Iraq's weapons declaration
on Tuesday night, less than two days before U.N. inspectors give their preliminary
assessment of the 12,000-page document.
Poor
outlook
Globes, December 16, 2002
How Israeli economic situation will affect the upcoming elections. -- "Globes"
economic analyst Avi Temkin held a comprehensive briefing for the foreign
press on the economic aspects of the upcoming Israeli election. The following
is a summarized transcript of his remarks...
Physicians
for human rights commemorates international migrants day today
Alternative Information Center, December 18, 2002
On 18th December 1990 the UN adopted the International Convention on the Protection
of the Rights of all Migrants Workers and Members of Their Families. Over
the last several years this date has become known as "International Migrant's
Day" and on 4 December 2000 the UN also officially recognized this day.
Cleric
Says Mideast Needs New Leaders
The Guardian, December 18, 2002
JERUSALEM (AP) - Palestinian and Israeli leaders should make way for others
if they fail to bring peace to the region, the top Roman Catholic clergyman
in the Holy Land told a news conference Wednesday.
Saudis
told to register in America
Arab News, December 18, 2002
WASHINGTON, 18 December 2002 — Men in the United States who are from
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will be required to register with the government
under a program intended to fingerprint and photograph those from countries
considered high risk for terrorists. The addition on Monday of Saudi Arabia
and Pakistan brings to 20 the number of countries covered under the registration
program, which has drawn sharp criticism from Muslim activist groups as heavy-handed
and unlikely to identify any terrorists.
US
Jews fight for peace in Palestine and Israel
Arab News, December 18, 2002
WASHINGTON, 18 December 2002 — Joshua Ruebner is a man with a mission.
Critical of Israel’s occupation policy, two years ago he co-founded
“Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel.”
Syrian
draft resolution to condem Israel for killing 3 UN employees
Arabic News, December 18, 2002
Syria has presented on behalf of the Arab Group in UN Security Council a draft
resolution that condemns Israel's killing of three of the United Nations employees
and demolishing a food store that belongs to the international organization
in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Al-Arian
vows to keep fighting for his job
Naples News, December 18, 2002
TAMPA — A Palestinian professor with alleged terrorist ties vowed Tuesday
to keep fighting for his job, one day after a federal judge refused to get
involved in the University of South Florida's effort to fire him.
US
imposes new visitor regulations
BBC, December 18, 2002
Saudis and Pakistanis have to provide fingerprints -- The United States has
added Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to a list of countries it considers high-risk
for terrorism, bringing the total to 20.
Personal
Voices: Crossing the Green Line
AlterNet.org, December 16, 2002
I returned from Israel and Palestine months ago; and still I dream of felafel
stands, security checks at every café – and a sea of taxis and donkey
carts, baking for hours in the blazing sun, waiting to crawl through a Gaza
checkpoint.
Palestinian
film stirs new Oscar controversy
BayArea.com, December 17, 2002
LOS ANGELES - As bloody conflict between Arabs and Jews generates daily headlines
from the Middle East, a Palestinian film comedy about life under Israeli occupation
is causing controversy in Hollywood -- although few Americans have seen it.
Activist
in Israel ready to break the law
Montreal Gazette, December 17, 2002
Jaggi Singh says he is prepared to violate an Israeli court ruling and illegally
enter the West Bank or Gaza Strip if Palestinians want him there, the activist
told CTV Newsnet in an interview from Jerusalem early Tuesday.
Washington
source: JSF agreement with Israel within 2 months
Globes, December 18, 2002
Israel will pay tens of millions of dollars to integrate systems into the
Joint Strike Fighter. -- Israel will sign an agreement in 1-2 months to participate
in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, after protracted negotiations with
the US. Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz and Ministry of Defense director general
Amos Yaron made progress in talks with US Department of Defense officials
on the subject yesterday.
Mofaz
seeks Israeli role in new U.S. plane
Ha'aretz, December 18, 2002
WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has agreed to consider a proposal that would enable
Israeli involvement in the development of its next-generation fighter plane,
following talks on the subject yesterday with Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz,
who is visiting Washington.
Goldman
Sachs: Israel GDP growth will rise to 2.3% in 2003
Globes, December 18, 2002
Geopolitical uncertainty in Israel may not be as great as perceived, says
Goldman Sachs in a global equity research report, dated December 16, 2002.
The investment bank says it sees Israeli GDP growth rising to 2.3% in 2003,
against -1.1% in 2002, and forecasts a rise in asset prices after an uncertain
first quarter.
Haifa
Chemicals: Fire damage minimal
Globes, December 18, 2002
Haifa Chemicals says the financial damage to its Haifa Bay plant from yesterday’s
fire was minimal and insignificant. The company added that full production
continued uninterrupted, and was at no time halted.
Egyptian
TV staff say told to tone down anti-Israel rhetoric
Ha'aretz, December 18, 2002
In the second television row involving Israel and Egypt, Egyptian state television
news staffers have been ordered to tone down anti-Israeli rhetoric, the host
of a documentary.
Fire
rages for hours at Haifa Chemicals
Ha'aretz, December 18, 2002
Dozens of firemen, policemen, Environment Ministry workers and Haifa Chemicals
employees battled for hours yesterday to extinguish a fire that broke out
in one of the company's fertilizer warehouses near Haifa Bay. The cause of
the fire is not yet known.
New
Labor rejects offer to join Meretz
Ha'aretz, December 18, 2002
Members of the New Labor faction announced last night that they would not
be joining Meretz, despite the defection of Yossi Beilin and Yael Dayan last
week.
Daniel
Pipes Attacks Documentary on Prophet Muhammad
Islam Online, December 18, 2002
CHICAGO, December 18 (IslamOnline) - Even as most media critics around the
U.S. praise the documentary on Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), scheduled to be aired
on PBS Wednesday, December 18, controversial pro-Israeli commentator Daniel
Pipes has launched a scathing attack on it.
Hungarian
government allows US to train Iraqi opposition members at air base
Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2002
BUDAPEST, Hungary - The government on Wednesday gave permission for Washington
to train Iraqi opposition members at a Hungarian air base ahead of their possible
deployment to their homeland, and said the first trainees could arrive as
early as next month.
Sharon
to expel Likud members tied to vote buying
Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2002
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Tuesday he would expel any Likud member found
to be involved in the vote buying and fraud scandal currently rocking the
party.
U.S.
Resorting to Cruelty to Intimidate World: Analyst
Islam Online, December 18, 2002
CAIRO, December 18 (IslamOnline) - Thomas Nagy, a professor of Business and
Public Management at George Washington University, told IslamOnline that it
is the “responsibility of U.S. citizens primarily to prevent the escalation
of the war against Iraq.”
Mofaz
renews request for $12b. in military aid at Washington meetings
Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2002
WASHINGTON Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz on Tuesday renewed Israel's request
for roughly $12 billion in military assistance and loan guarantees that would
cover the costs it is incurring to prepare for a possible US-led war with
Iraq that could lead to Iraqi counterstrikes against it.
Mixed
reaction to PM Tony Blair's proposed PA reform conference
Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2002
Israel had no formal reaction Tuesday to British Prime Minister Tony Blair's
idea of convening an international conference in January on Palestinian reform.
Hear
Palestine, Decemner 18, 2002
NEWS: Rafah: Youngster Killed in al-Barazil Quarter / Khan Younis: Youngster
Killed in Nighttime Israeli Military Attack / 3 Wounded in Israeli Military
Attacks on Rafah and Deir al-Balah / 2 Civilians Critically Wounded in Nablus
/ Heated Campaign of Raids, Arrests and Oppressive Measures in West Bank
FEATURES: When Siege Wears the Color of Mud / Jenin: Memories of the Elderly
Renewed Over Rubble of Demolished Homes
Four
Texas men arrested in connection with Hamas money-laundering ring
Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2002
DALLAS - Four men connected to a computer company that did business in the
Middle East were arrested by federal anti-terrorism agents early Wednesday
on money-laundering charges.
Attorney-General
orders criminal case opened against Yossi Ginossar
Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2002
Attorney-General Elyakim Rubinstein on Wednesday ordered a criminal case opened
against Yossi Ginossar, a former Shin Bet official and senior envoy to negotiations
with the Palestinian Authority who allegedly helped transfer $300 million
in Palestinian funds to a Swiss bank and then managed the account for PA Chairman
Yasser Arafat.
British
ambassador regrets comments on justified terrorism
Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2002
British Ambassador Sherard Cowper-Coles expressed regret Tuesday for saying
at a high-level conference in Berlin "we can all think of times in history
when the use of terrorism has been justified."
Hebron
settlers: IDF planning to dismantle new outpost
Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2002
The IDF is expected to attempt to evict residents of the newly built illegal
outpost positioned between Kiryat Arba and the Machpela Cave, "Worshippers
Way," according to a statement from the Hebron press office.
Prince
Abdullah to shun Gulf summit in Qatar — source
Jordan Times, December 18, 2002
DUBAI (R) — Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Abdullah will
not attend an upcoming Gulf summit in Qatar, signalling a diplomatic row between
the key US allies is far from over, regional sources said on Tuesday.
Jordanian
PM says killers of US diplomat planned to hit Israel targets
Jordan Times, December 18, 2002
Jordanian Prime Minister Ali Abu-Ragheb said Wednesday that two Al-Quaida
linked men who admitted to killing a US diplomat last month said they were
also planning to attack Israeli targets, Israel Radio reported.
Prominent
Palestinian painter who burned to death is buried in Damascus
Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2002
DAMASCUS, Syria - A prominent Palestinian artist was killed in a fire at his
Damascus studio that destroyed hundreds of his paintings. Mustafa al-Halaj,
60, was evacuated by firefighters as he struggled to put out the huge fire
caused by an electric short circuit Sunday evening.
Viva
Palestina
MIFTAH , December 18, 2002
At a time when the Palestinians are being relegated to the sideline, overlooked
and denied, the Palestinian National Football Team, a symbol of independence,
is more determined than ever to keep hope alive. Although it has become increasingly
difficult to practice and remain focused, the members of the team are managing
to proudly represent Palestine in international football matches.
Canada
Explores Contribution to International Presence in Palestinian Territories
Palestine Media Center, December 18, 2002
Canadian experts have started looking into a possible Canadian presence in
the Palestinian territories in case of peace breakthrough, including an international
peacekeeping force.
Pope:
Nowhere Is There More Need for Peace than in Middle East
Palestine Media Center, December 18, 2002
Pope John Paul II said Tuesday nowhere today was there a more obvious need
for peace "and the correct use of political authority,” than in the
Middle East and called on world leaders to help defuse the volatile situation
in the region.
Israeli
Occupation, Curfew Paralyzing Palestinian Economy
Palestine Media Center, December 18, 2002
EU Offers over $8 Million in Aid to PNA -- Due to constant closures and curfews
imposed on most Palestinians cities and towns since the Intifada erupted in
September 2000, the Palestinian economy has been operating far below productive
capacity with its main sectors, especially the private one, damaged.
Occupation
Chronicle Events in Palestine, December 18, 2002
Palestine Media Center, December 18, 2002
IOF Kill Child in Gaza Strip / Israeli Bulldozers Demolish Palestinian Homes
in Rafah, Wound Child / IOF Detain Dozens of Palestinian Civilians, Including
Mother and Her Daughter / IOF Troops Invade Jenin, Detain One Resident
January
18 National March On Washington to Demand No War Against Iraq, Eliminate US
Weapons of Mass Destruction
A.N.S.W.E.R.
Flyer
No
War On Iraq, National March on Washington, D.C.
A.N.S.W.E.R.
