IDF
kills 9 Palestinians; 5 soldiers wounded
Ha'aretz, December 26, 2002
At least nine Palestinians were killed by IDF troops in several incidents
in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Thursday, while five soldiers were wounded.
IDF
creating buffer zones around West Bank settlements
Ha'aretz, December 26, 2002
The Israel Defense Forces has recently started to establish "special security
zones" around West Bank settlements. Under this program, areas stretching
a few hundred meters beyond the Jewish settlements will be fenced in and defined
as zones in which special rules of engagement apply. These rules will allow
the soldiers to fire at anyone who tries to infiltrate these areas.
Israeli
forces kill 297 students, wound 3690 during the Intifada
Arabic News, December 26, 2002
A report issued by the educational media department at the Palestinian ministry
of education said that the Israeli occupation forces have killed since the
eruption of the Palestinian Intifada some 297 students and wounded more than
2690 children who used to have regular classes, with hundreds of them becoming
of permanently displaced.
Israeli
Bulldozers Demolish 16 Palestinians’ Homes
Palestine Chronicle, December 24, 2002
HEBRON - The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF)’s demolition spree persisted
on Monday as Israeli bulldozers flattened three homes and at least four shops
in Hebron under the pretext of having “no construction permit”,
while Israeli occupation soldiers broke into several homes in various parts
of the city and the neighboring towns of Yatta and Smou’.
EW
systems for Israeli airliners will be bought with US aid
Globes, December 24, 2002
Elta Electronic Industries is having difficulty finding a US partner to manufacture
the systems, so that they can be classified as US-made. Sources inform “Globes”
that the equipping of Israeli passenger planes with anti-missile defense systems
is being delayed, despite the global terrorist threat to Israeli aviation.
Troops
back in Bethlehem
Electronic Telegraph, December 26, 2002
Israeli troops have swept back into Bethlehem to reimpose a curfew and shot
dead six Palestinians in raids across the West Bank.
Palestinian
Authority uncovers corruption involving top officials
Jerusalem Post, December 26, 2002
The Palestinian Authority has uncovered numerous cases of corruption involving
senior officials, the Palestinian Justice Minister Zuheir Surani said Wednesday.
Soldier
gets 65 days in prison for killing 95-year-old woman
Ha'aretz, December 26, 2002
An Israel Defense Forces soldier who killed a 95-year-old Palestinian woman
earlier this month has been sentenced to 65 days in military prison.
Israel's
stepped-up settlement activities preempt Bush's two-state solution —
study
Jordan Times, December 26, 2002
AMMAN — A Palestinian team of lawyers and experts will take new information
to the US next month showing that Israel's stepped-up settlement activities
pre-empt the two-state solution advocated by President George W. Bush.
Hamas,
Fatah to Resume Dialogue, Not to Discuss Halting Operations
Islam Online, December 25, 2002
CAIRO, December 25 (IslamOnline) – Dialogue between the
Egyptian authorities and the Palestinian Islamic resistance
movement Hamas kicked off Tuesday, December 24.
Oshaya:
Most CEC members likely to disqualify Balad, Bishara
Ha'aretz, December 26, 2002
A majority of Central Election Committee members will vote in favor of disqualifying
the Arab party Balad and MK Azmi Bishara from participating in the Knesset
elections, deputy chairman of the Central Election Committee MK Effi Oshaya
(Labor) said Thursday.
Hamas
fails to agree on date for more talks with Fatah
Ha'aretz, December 26, 2002
CAIRO - The militant Palestinian group Hamas has failed to agree on a date
for further negotiations with Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement over suicide
bombings.
Israelis
Kill Six in Hunt for Militants
The Guardian, December 26, 2002
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - Israeli soldiers hunting militiamen in the West
Bank killed six Palestinians in five separate clashes Thursday - four gunmen,
an unarmed high school student and a traffic policeman, officials on both
sides said.
Israeli
forces kill at least eight Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza Strip
Al-Bawaba, December 26, 2002
At least eight Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in separate incidents
in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Thursday, while five Israeli soldiers were
wounded, one seriously.
Israelis
Make Buffers Around Settlements
New York Times, December 26, 2002
JERUSALEM (AP) -- The Israeli army has begun establishing wide buffer zones
around Jewish settlements in the West Bank to keep out Palestinian militants,
a senior Israeli official said Thursday.
Israeli
Army Continues to Breach Supreme Court Injunction Prohibiting Use of Palestinian
Civilians as Human Shields
Adalah, December 25, 2002
Yesterday, 24 December 2002, seven human rights organizations made a further
submission to the Supreme Court in connection with their 5 May 2002 petition
seeking to prohibit the Israeli army from using Palestinian civilians as human
shields.
Hamas
member killed in Nablus, 16 Palestinians arrested
Al-Bawaba, December 25, 2002
Israeli troops killed a senior Hamas operative in the northern West Bank city
of Nablus early Wednesday, Palestinian and Israeli sources said. Palestinian
sources said Ibrahim Abu Hawash was killed during an Israeli raid on his hideout
in Nablus. They said he was a member of Hamas' military wing who had been
wanted by Israel.
Police
suspect Likud illegally helped PM's supporters
Ha'aretz, December 26, 2002
Likud Deputy Director General Rafi Bar Chen was asked by the police Thursday
morning about suspicions that the Likud as a party assisted in illegal ways
to get supporters of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to get elected for the party's
central committee and the Knesset candidate list.
Cheshin
rules: Mofaz is out for the count
Ha'aretz, December 26, 2002
Attorney Amnon Lorch, the Labor Party's representative to the Central Elections
Commission, is the son of Netanel Lorch, the father of historical research
in the Israel Defense Forces, and before that, adjutant to the second chief
of staff, Yigael Yadin.
Israeli
troops kill six Palestinians
BBC, December 26, 2002
Israeli troops have shot dead six Palestinians in the West Bank. Four of those
killed were Palestinian militants, while two Palestinian civilians were reported
to be among the victims.
Government
orders closure of Arab weekly
Reporters Without Borders, December 24, 2002
Reporters Without Borders today criticised as very excessive the interior
minister's decision to close for two years the radical Islamic weekly Sawt
al-Haq wa Al-Hurriya (Voice of Truth and Freedom) on grounds that it threatens
national security. The organisation called on interior minister Eli Yishai
to reconsider the closure in the light of Israeli legal precedent, notably
the "Kol Ha'am decision", which said a newspaper can only be shut down if
it is an "almost certain" danger to national security.
Israel
seeks US anti-missile help
BBC, December 25, 2002
Israel is hoping to develop a new anti-missile system for commercial aircraft
jointly with the United States, Israeli political sources say.
Iraq
has moved weapons to Syria, Sharon claims
Taipei Times, December 26, 2002
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Tuesday he had information that Iraq
recently transferred weapons of mass destruction to Syria while Iraq expressed
confidence it will come clear after UN inspections.
Syria
rejects Israel weapons claim
BBC, December 25, 2002
Syria has rejected an allegation that it is helping Saddam Hussein to hide
weapons, calling the charge "baseless and ridiculous".
Syrian
spokesman refutes Israeli allegations on chemical weapons
Arabic News, December 26, 2002
A spokesman for the Syrian foreign ministry said the following: What has been
rumored by Sharon of allegations that Iraq transported to Syria chemical and
germ weapons is null and void and simultaneously aims at converting the attention
from the nuclear, chemical and germ arsenals owned by Israel for which money
and weapons are rendered to protect and develop it.
Israeli
minister cannot become MP
BBC, December 25, 2002
Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz has been barred from running in next
month's parliamentary election.
Corruption
Charge Shadows Sharon Campaign
New York Times, December 26, 2002
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said peace is closer than many
believe, as he kicked off his party's re-election campaign under the twin
clouds of corruption charges and persistent Israeli-Palestinian fighting.
Shaath
calls for an international move to remove the Israeli wall
Arabic News, December 26, 2002
"The official government silence over the Israeli crime of building a wall
separating Egyptian Rafah from Palestinian Rafah, was maintained," Nabil Shaath,
the Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation said and
called for an immediate move to demolish this wall which is currently being
built by Israel.
Refusal
to serve could be contagious
Ha'aretz, December 26, 2002
For many months, it looked as though the upper echelons of the Israel Defense
Forces were letting the direct commanders of the refusenik soldiers deal on
their own with the problem of refusal to serve.
Injured
Palestinians treated, then trained for terror by Iran
Ha'aretz, December 26, 2002
Palestinian residents of the territories who were wounded in clashes with
Israel Defense Forces troops during the intifada, and then received medical
treatment in Iran, were recruited by Iranian intelligence services. The Palestinians
received military training in Iran, and were sent back to the territories
with orders to carry out terror attacks against Israel, say Israeli security
officials.
Blair
asserts Palestinian state can be set up by 2005
Ha'aretz, December 26, 2002
LONDON - British Prime Minister Tony Blair said yesterday that next month's
conference in London on reforms in the Palestinian Authority is intended to
pave the way toward the resumption of negotiations between Israel and the
Palestinians, leading to the creation of a Palestinian state "alongside Israel"
by 2005.
Israel
Kills 6 Palestinians, Bars 150 from Gaza
Islam Online, December 26, 2002
OCCUPIED TERRITORIES, December 26 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) –
Israeli occupation forces killed at least six Palestinians in the Palestinian
territories Thursday, December 26, as it continues to block 150 Palestinians,
many of them women and children, from entering Gaza for the fifth night.
Hear
Palestine, December 26, 2002
NEWS: Ramallah: Occupation Soldiers Execute 3 Youths at Noon; Impose Curfew
/ Tulkarem: Occupation Special Forces Execute Fateh Activist / Nablus: Child
and Youth Murdered and Several Others Wounded in Military Attacks / Jenin:
Occupation Executes Activist in Qabatya at Dawn / Provocative Delays on Salah
al-Din; UNRWA Delegation Prevented from Crossing / Bethlehem: Claims of Redeployment
Nothing but Propaganda; City Under Curfew / Salfeet: Several Towns Placed
Under Curfew / Occupation Forces Implement New Military Settlement Plans in
Qalandya / Jerusalem: Occupation Demolished Home in Beit Hanina under Same
Pretext / Israel Continues to Hold Hundreds of Palestinians at Rafah Crossing
FEATURES: North Gaza: Border Fence Stage for Killing the Innocent / The Burqin
Road: Every Human Being is subjected to Death / Bethlehem: Woman Kidnapped
Near Nativity Church Before Christmas Celebrations / Patriarch Sabah: Bethlehem
Surrounded by Soldiers from All Sides on Christmas
Egypt
to push for truce on suicide attacks when Hamas-Fateh talks resume
Jordan Times, December 26, 2002
CAIRO (AFP) — Egypt will try to squeeze a “moratorium on suicide
attacks” out of talks between the mainstream Palestinian movement Fateh
and its rival Hamas which are expected to resume here shortly after previous
rounds failed, an analyst said Tuesday.
B'nai
Brith charges EU ignores Palestinian channel of aid to terrorists
Jerusalem Post, December 26, 2002
The B'nai Brith World Center in Jerusalem released a 23-page report Wednesday
that claims the EU has deliberately turned a blind eye to the alleged misuse
of donated funds by the Palestinian Authority.
Blair
defends plan to convene Palestinians in London
Jerusalem Post, December 25, 2002
LONDON - British Prime Minister Tony Blair is convening a meeting of Palestinian
leaders in London next month in an effort to "boost the chances of the road
map being implemented successfully once a new Israeli government is in place."
Mitzna:
'Let's separate religion from politics'
Jerusalem Post, December 26, 2002
Labor Party Chairman Amram Mitzna called Wednesday for eliminating the Religious
Affairs Ministry and religious councils, and electing only one chief rabbi
as part of a full-scale reform on matters of religion and state.
Robertson
says Nato 'morally obliged' to back war
The Guardian, December 26, 2002
Nato has a "moral obligation" to support the US if it goes to war against
Iraq, Nato secretary general George Robertson said today. Church leaders meanwhile
used their Christmas messages to appeal for peace.
Iraqi
Militia Holds Defensive Exercises
The Guardian, December 26, 2002
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The Iraqi army said Thursday that militias have been
holding exercises in central Iraq aimed at countering an American attack,
another sign that Saddam Hussein's government may believe war is inevitable.
U.S.
ready to unleash new weapons on Iraq
World Tribune, December 26, 2002
The Army plans to quickly deploy its new Shadow 200 spy plane if the United
States goes to war against Iraq. In the Persian Gulf, the Navy has America's
newest attack jet — the F-18 Super Hornet — ready for its first
extended wartime action.
Turkey
extends permission for US planes to use base for patrols over northern Iraq
Al-Bawaba, December 25, 2002
Turkey's parliament on Wednesday extended permission for a US-led force to
use a Turkish base for patrols of a no-fly zone over northern Iraq, AP reported.
UN
wants asylum guarantees for Iraqi scientists
Jordan Times, December 26, 2002
VIENNA (R) — The UN nuclear watchdog urged states on Tuesday to guarantee
protection for Iraqi scientists and their families who are taken abroad to
give information about Baghdad's alleged atomic weapons programme.
U.N.
Experts “Interview” Head of Baghdad Tech University
Islam Online, December 26, 2002
BAGHDAD, December 26 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - A U.N. arms inspector
interviewed Thursday, December 26, the head of Baghdad’s Technology
University in the second “reported” meeting with Iraqi scientists
in an attempt to prove that Iraq possesses the alleged weapons programs.
U.N.
Inspectors Debrief Iraqi Scientist
Palestine Chronicle, December 24, 2002
"Speaking to journalists, Professor Sabah Abdel Nour said: 'The inspectors
asked me for a personal interview and proposed that it be in private BAGHDAD
- An Iraqi scientist who was involved in the country’s previous nuclear
program said he was questioned by U.N. arms experts Tuesday, December 24,
in the presence of an Iraqi liaison officer at Baghdad’s technological
university.
War
on Iraq Damages U.N. Credibility: Halliday
Palestine Chronicle, December 24, 2002
CAIRO - There is no justification for the decision to attack Iraq; it is a
breach of international law and will further damage the credibility of the
United Nations, said the former U.N. assistant secretary general and head
of the oil for food program in Iraq.
Coalition
Warplanes Bomb Iraqi Targets
The Guardian, December 26, 2002
WASHINGTON (AP) - Warplanes from the U.S.-British coalition bombed Iraqi military
command and communication targets Thursday near Talil in southern Iraq, the
U.S. military announced.
Iraqis
ready for 'holy war and martyrdom'
The Independent, December 26, 2002
Saddam Hussein has used his traditional Christmas message to warn the United
States that the Iraqi people are ready for holy war and "martyrdom".
Costs
soar as raids on Iraqi air defences escalate
Electronic Telegraph, December 26, 2002
Britain is spending nine times as much as last year on patrolling the no-fly
zone over southern Iraq, officials admit, as the number and scale of British
and American bombing raids soars.
Treasury
Official Taylor Visiting Turkey
The Guardian, December 26, 2002
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Treasury Department's top point person on international
affairs is traveling to Turkey, which is in the middle of an economic crisis
and whose support to any U.S. military campaign against Iraq is crucial.
Sheikh
Fadlallah: U.S. Gulf bases - ''new form of occupation''
Al-Bawaba, December 26, 2002
Lebanon's top Shi'ite cleric said on Thursday U.S. military bases in the Gulf
amounted to a new form of occupation and accused Washington of wanting to
control the world.
Iraq
stockpiles food for war
BBC, December 26, 2002
Iraq is helping its citizens stockpile food in case of a US-led attack, Iraqi
Trade Minister Mohammed Mehdi Saleh said on Thursday.
Pakistan
and Iran voice Iraq concern
BBC, December 26, 2002
Pakistan and Iran have opposed any unilateral or pre-emptive military operation
against Iraq, saying that it would undermine the central role of the United
Nations in the crisis.
Iraq
Says Western Planes Kill Three in South
New York Times, December 26, 2002
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The Iraqi military said on Thursday U.S. and British warplanes
killed three people and injured 16 when they bombed civilian targets, including
a mosque, in southern Iraq.
Iraq
Says Israeli WMD Claim 'Absolute Lies'
New York Times, December 26, 2002
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq on Thursday dismissed as ``absolute lies'' an Israeli
claim that it had moved chemical and biological weapons to Syria to hide them
from U.N. weapons inspectors.
Al-Watan:
The American attack on Iraq and Israel
Arabic News, December 26, 2002
A high ranking military source at NATO said that all European military reports
whose information are inspired from the US agree on that the American war
against Iraq will be in February.
Riyadh
denies advising Saddam to step down, will not join war
Jordan Times, December 26, 2002
RIYADH (AFP) — Saudi Arabia, the chief US ally in the Gulf, Tuesday
denied reports it had advised Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to step down
in order to avert a US-led war and said it would not take part in military
action against Baghdad.
Al-Sharq
al-Awsat: CIA tempts Iraqis to split
Arabic News, December 26, 2002
In its yesterday's issue, the London- based al-Hayat daily said that the US
CIA made contacts in June this year in New York with three senior Iraqi weapons
experts including Lt. Gen. Amer al-Saadi, the advisor for the Iraqi President
in an attempt to convince them to split from Baghdad.
Growing
U.S. Need for Oil From the Mideast Is Forecast
New York Times, December 26, 2002
WASHINGTON Dec. 25 — As President Bush seeks to reduce American reliance
on oil imported from the Persian Gulf, new government studies predict that
in two decades the West will be even more dependent on oil from Saudi Arabia
and other Middle Eastern producers.
Cities
Urge Restraint in Fight Against Terror
New York Times, December 23, 2002
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Dec. 20 — Nearly two dozen cities around the country
have passed resolutions urging federal authorities to respect the civil rights
of local citizens when fighting terrorism. Efforts to pass similar measures
are under way in more than 60 other places.
In
bid to ease EU concerns: Iran abolishes stoning as form of capital punishment
Al-Bawaba, December 26, 2002
Iran has abolished stoning as a form of capital punishment, an Iranian newspaper
reported Thursday, in an apparent step to ease European Union human rights
concerns ahead of a possible breakthrough trade accord.
Arab
nations contribute two percent of world gross product
Al-Bawaba, December 26, 2002
In the year 2001, unemployment in the Arab World’s leaped to 20 percent
of the combined work force. The situation and is particularly grave among
the young and educated people of the region, stated the Secretary General
of the Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU) Ahmed Al-Ghoeili.
Romanian
singer detained at Israeli airport and jailed for 4 days
Alternative Information Center, December 26, 2002
She came for a round of appearances but was deported; Romanian immigrants’
association: “afterwards everyone is surprised when there is anti-semitism;
In a High Court debate on the denial of entry to dancers from Brazil, Justice
Frokachia said: “how far can we close the country off from exposure
to the big world?”
UK
refuses to sell equipment to the Israeli police
Alternative Information Center, December 26, 2002
The police wanted to buy lighting bombs; The British government feared they
would be utilised in the territories, although Israel promised the equipment
would not be used over the green line. The UK has also joined the list
of those who boycott Israel because of events in the territories: it refuses
to sell lighting bombs to the Israeli police.
Supreme
Court Dismisses Petition Protesting Inhumane Detention Conditions at Ansar
III
Adalah, December 24, 2002
On 15 December 2002, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition submitted by seven
Palestinian detainees and ten Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations
protesting the inhumane conditions faced by close to 1,000 Palestinian detainees
held at the Ansar III (“Ketziot”) Detention Center in the Naqab
(Negev). While rejecting the petition, the Court nonetheless requested that
the Israeli army improve certain conditions at Ansar III.
German
groups reject 'spy' charges
BBC, December 26, 2002
Six German foundations accused of espionage in Turkey have denied the charges
on the first day of their trial in Ankara.
MWL
seeks apology
Arab News, December 26, 2002
MAKKAH, 26 December 2002 — The Muslim World League yesterday condemned
a media campaign in the United States against Islam, particularly against
the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and expressed the strong displeasure
of the entire Muslim community at such vilification and insinuations.
AP
Clarifies Bethlehem Christmas Story
New York Times, December 26, 2002
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) -- In a Dec. 24 story about Christmas in Bethlehem,
The Associated Press quoted Bassam Bannoura, pastor of the Shepherd's Field
Baptist Church, as saying hardships caused by Muslim fundamentalism and by
Israel were causing Christians to leave the Holy Land. Bannoura says he was
referring to ``the rise of fundamentalism'' of all kinds, political and religious,
not just among Muslims but also among Jews and others.
Egypt
halts agricultural normalization with Israel
Arabic News, December 26, 2002
The Egyptian government has stressed that the country is completely free from
any agricultural pesticides produced or imported from Israel. In a message
of assurances to parliament members, the government said it halted all acts
and sorts of normalization with Israel in the agricultural section.
Turkish
defense minister: relations with Israel are positive
Arabic News, December 26, 2002
The Turkish defense minister Wajdi Ghonol on Tuesday evening upon his meeting
with the Israeli army chief of staff Moshe Yaloun described relations between
Turkey and Israel as positive.
Churches
urge West to step back from war
Electronic Telegraph, December 26, 2002
Leaders of the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches used their Christmas messages
yesterday to intensify the pressure on the British and American governments
to seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Iraq.
Pope
urges end to war and 'spiral of violence'
Electronic Telegraph, December 26, 2002
The Pope, in his Christmas message yesterday, urged the world to unite in
an effort to stop the Iraq crisis degenerating into a new Middle East conflict.
He also appealed for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, to halt what
he called the "senseless spiral of violence".
Reform
Rabbis Urge Action
The Jewish Week, December 27, 2002
Reform rabbis are calling on the Bush administration to intervene more aggressively
in mediating an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement. The Central Conference
of American Rabbis’ Board of Trustees issued the call to action recently
in a platform on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that is more detailed than
any previous statement to date. Despite speculation that the rabbinical group
would issue a position paper reflecting a shift to the center from its traditionally
liberal stand, the platform largely reaffirmed the Reform movement’s
left-of-center positions on Israel and the Palestinians.
Israel’s
new world tax order
Globes, December 24, 2002
The tax reform will truly revolutionize taxation of the international operations
of companies located in Israel. --- The tax reform due to come into force
on January 1 will lead to important, substantial change in the field of international
taxation.
World
Bank to brief Israeli cos on international projects
Globes, December 26, 2002
A delegation of international financial institutions specializing in financing
projects in developing countries will visit Israel next month. The delegation
will instruct Israeli companies on how they can participate in these projects.
Fenced
in
Ha'aretz, December 26, 2002
The founding members of Hug Hatikva say that Amram Mitzna will wake up this
morning and discover he has his own camp within the Labor Party.
No
pilgrims, just fury and frustration in the deserted town of Bethlehem
The Independent, December 26, 2002
There were no pilgrims this chill, rainy Christmas in the little West Bank
town where Jesus Christ was born, no decorated tree, no foreign choirs carolling
in Manger Square.
Glass
angels send seasonal messages of despair from the Holy Land
The Independent, December 26, 2002
Bethlehem is peddling its own version of swords into ploughshares this gloomy
Christmas: stained glass angels fashioned from bottles and windows shattered
when the Israeli army stormed into town and laid siege to the Church of the
Nativity last spring.
Can
the gas get up to the 7th floor?'
Ha'aretz, December 26, 2002
Eitan, an Israel Defense Forces soldier, entered a seventh-grade class at
Holon's Herzog School yesterday, put a gas mask kit on the front desk, and
turned toward the blackboard. He then wrote the letters in the Hebrew acronym
for "atomic, biological, chemical" on the board.
Solidarity
with Omar Al-Titi: Illegally detained by the IOF
International Solidarity Movement, December 25, 2002
Members of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) are appealing for your
help regarding the illegal detention of Omar Al-Titi – the ISM co-coordinator
for the Nablus-area. Omar is currently being held at the Huwara Military Base
by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), after he was handcuffed, blindfolded and
detained by IOF soldiers on the afternoon of December 23, 2002.
Rally
against Apartheid Wall (Qalqiliah); Defying Checkpoint in Gaza
International Solidarity Movement, December 25, 2002
1) Update about ISM co-coordinator Omar Altiti (December 25, 2002) / 2) Media
Advisory: Palestinians and International Solidarity Activists to Defy Israeli
Checkpoint in Gaza (December 26, 2002) / 3) Media Advisory: Palestinian and
Land Defense Communities Oppose the Apartheid Wall; Marches and Rally to Take
Place in Qalqiliah
U.S.,
India Sign Pact Against International Criminal Court
Islam Online, December 26, 2002
NEW DELHI, December 26 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – India and
the United States signed a pact Thursday, December 26, under which they agreed
not to send each other's nationals to a world tribunal, in a victory for Washington's
efforts to scuttle the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Vatican
Yearning for Political Role: Le Monde
Islam Online, December 26, 2002
PARIS, December 26 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – The Vatican,
under Pope John Paul II, has recently become more activated, bidding to find
a political role to play on the international arena through effective
participation in settling international problems, leading French newspaper
Le Monde said Thursday, December 26.
Libya
Firm on Quitting Arab League, Rejects Sharon’s Claims
Islam Online, December 26, 2002
TRIPOLI, December 26 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Libyan leader Moamer
Kadhafi insisted on Wednesday, December 25, that he still planned to pull
his nation out of the 22-member Arab League.
Patriarch
Urges Israel to End Occupation, 16 Palestinians Abducted
Islam Online, December 25, 2002
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, December 25 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The Latin
Patriarch Michel Sabbah told several thousand Christian worshippers attending
Bethlehem’s Christmas mass Wednesday, December 25, to love their fellow
human beings, including Jews, while urging Israel to end its occupation of
the Palestinian territories.
Palestinians
Mark 'Saddest Christmas Ever' in Bethlehem
Palestine Media Center, December 26, 2002
Despite Pope’s appeal “to build peace in the Holy Land”
and the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem’s message of peace and tolerance,
Palestinians marked what some called the saddest Christmas ever in the biblical
city of Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus Christ, as the Israeli Occupation
Forces (IOF) continued their atrocities in the Palestinian Territory.
Israel’s
Mitzna to Hold Talks with Whoever Represents Palestinians
alestine Media Center, December 26, 2002
The leader of Israel’s Labor party, Amram Mitzna, reiterated Wednesday
his plans to revive negotiations with the Palestine National Authority (PNA)
if he is elected prime minister next month.
Blair
Hails Palestinian Reform Conference on January 13-14
Palestine Media Center, December 26, 2002
Talks hosted by Britain on progress in reforming the Palestine National Authority
(PNA) will be held on January 13-14, Palestinian international cooperation
minister Nabil Shaath said on Tuesday.
IOF
Kill Palestinian Child, Beat Activist to Death
Palestine Media Center, December 25, 2002
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed two Palestinian civilians in the past
twenty-four hours, one of whom was a teenage boy killed by Israeli tank fire
in the Gaza Strip and the other a resident of Nablus executed without trial
by IOF soldiers.
Occupation
Chronicle Events in Palestine
Palestine Media Center, December 26, 2002
IOF kill Activist in Jenin / Israeli “Special Unit” Kill Two Civilians
in Ramallah / Boy Killed by Israeli Gunfire in Nablus / Activist Executed
by IOF in Tulkarem / 16 Palestinians Detained in IOF Raids / Dozens Stuck
at Egyptian-Palestinian Border Entrance, Israel Prevent Their Access
