Israel
to step up assassinations and arrests; Palestinian boy, girl shot dead
Al-Bawaba, December 29, 2002
Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz ordered
during the weekend the Israeli army and the Shin Bet to step up the assassinations
and arrests of Palestinian activists, Israeli media reports said. This order
came following Friday attack on the West Bank settlement of Otniel, which
left four Israelis dead.
Knesset
moves to bar Arab members
The Guardian, December 30, 2002
The knesset has begun proceedings to bar three Arab members and their parties
from next month's general election because of their support for the Palestinian
resistance to Israeli occupation. The hearings by a knesset committee are
expected to result in the expulsion of Israel's leading Arab politician, Azmi
Bishara, and two colleagues. Their parties are likely to be banned, stripping
Israel's one million Arabs of their principal voices in parliament.
Ex-leader
of racist Jewish group allowed to run in Israeli elections
Al-Bawaba, December 30, 2002
Israel's elections committee decided on Sunday to allow an ex-leader of the
outlawed racist Jewish Kach group to run in the January general election.
IDF
troops kill unarmed Palestinian man after jeep turns over
Ha'aretz, December 30, 2002
Israel Defense Forces troops killed an unarmed Palestinian man north of Jenin
Monday afternoon after a Palestinian vehicle edged their jeep off the road.
Two other Palestinians were killed in separate incidents Monday.
Israeli
Court Rejects Appeal from Soldiers Refusing to Serve
New York Times, December 30, 2002
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's High Court rejected Monday an appeal by reserve
soldiers refusing to serve in the occupied territories and Israeli troops
shot dead a Hamas gunman and two other Palestinians.
Sharon
Orders Army to Strike Harder, Army Criticized for Civilian Toll
Islam Online, December 30, 2002
"The main problem is that the soldiers are not held accountable for their
actions" --- OCCUPUIED JERUSALEM, December 30 (IslamOnline & News Agencies)
- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered his occupation army Sunday,
December 29, to strike harder against Palestinians, as a report accused the
Israeli army of giving its forces free hand to kill innocent Palestinian civilians.
Cairo
plan includes cease-fire and IDF withdrawal from cities
Ha'aretz, December 30, 2002
An Egyptian plan presented to Fatah and Hamas delegates in Cairo yesterday
includes both a tough timetable for an Israel Defense Forces withdrawal to
the positions it held before the intifada and a halt to all Palestinian terror
attacks inside the Green Line.
Soldiers'
Abuse of Palestinians in Hebron, 3 December 2002
B'tselem, December 30, 2002
Today B'Tselem is publishing a report exposing a severe incident in which
IDF soldiers in Hebron abused Palestinians and used them as human shields.
On 3 December 2002, four soldiers entered a barbershop in Hebron. For more
than an hour, they abused five residents of the city, aged 19 – 24.
'Arms
Inspectors' Bolster Canadian Anti-war Movement
Common Dreams, December 30, 2002
OTTAWA - A Canada-based peace and disarmament group plans to launch ''weapons
inspections'' in the United States to draw attention to its claim that the
country is a dangerous rogue state.
Resistance
Attacks Army Unit in Gaza
Palestine Chronicle, December 30, 2002
"The attack, credited to the Palestinian resistance, is seen
as the first of its kind since Intifada started over two years
ago .." --- GAZA CITY (PalestineChronicle.com) - Both the Palestinian
Authority and the Israeli attorney general’s office protested,
to various degrees, the Israeli government policy of assassinating
Palestinian activists. The protests echoed as Israeli Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon told his army that it has a freehand in
killing any Palestinian suspected of involvement in anti-Israeli
activities.
Three
Palestinians shot dead; Israel razes homes of Islamic Jihad activists
Al-Bawaba, December 30, 2002
Three Palestinians were killed Monday by Israeli fire in separate incidents
in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israeli troops killed early Monday a Palestinian
who infiltrated from Gaza Strip, Army Radio reported. The Palestinian was
spotted near the communal farm of Nahal Oz.
With
West Bank Stones and Gunfire, Another Child Dies
New York Times, December 29, 2002
TULKARM, West Bank, Dec. 29 — Outside of this hard-scrabble West Bank
town, the death today of Abdul Karim Salameh might soon be forgotten. He was
a 10-year-old boy, he threw rocks at Israeli soldiers, and then he was dead.
CEC
votes to disqualify MK Tibi's candidacy and keep Hadash-Ta'al
Ha'aretz, December 30, 2002
The Central Elections Committee on Monday rejected the request to disqualify
the Hadash-Ta'al party, but approved the disqualification of the party's No.
3 candidate, MK Ahmed Tibi.
Two
Palestinian children killed in territories by IDF
Ha'aretz, December 30, 2002
Two Palestinian children were killed by the Israel Defense Forces in the territories
yesterday, an eight-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl.
A-G
urges Sharon to only use targeted killings as last resort
Ha'aretz, December 30, 2002
Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein yesterday criticized a reported decision
by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to increase the number of targeted assassinations
following Friday's attack on the West Bank settlement of Otniel, in which
four people were killed.
Egypt
invites Palestinian groups for landmark talks
Jordan Times, December 30, 2002
CAIRO (R) — Egypt has invited key Palestinian factions to convene landmark
talks and forge a unified stand on sensitive issues such as a halt to suicide
bombings in Israel, an Egyptian government source said on Sunday.
Hear
Palestine, December 30, 2002
NEWS: Jenin: Teacher Killed in Cold Blood at Military Roadblock / Nablus:
Youth Killed during Israeli Military Invasion / Gaza City: Occupation Soldiers
Run Over Unidentified Man with Tank / Rafah: Shelling and Israeli Plan to
Demolish Hundreds of Homes / Hebron: 2 Homes Demolished, Inhumane Oppressive
Measures / Bethlehem: Demolition and Confiscation Campaign, More to Come /
Tulkarem: Occupation Authorities Place New Settlement Caravans / Jerusalem:
Soldiers Severely Beat Up 2 Brothers, Steel their Money FEATURES:
Khan Younis: Occupation Steels Hanin's Happiness / Tulkarem: Occupation Soldiers
Kill Child in Cold Blood / Another Patient Dies, Prevented Access to
Hospital / Nablus: Occupation Soldiers Use Ambulance for Military Training!
Palestinians
and International Solidarity Activists to Defy Israeli Checkpoint in Gaza
International Solidarity Movement, December 30, 2002
Sunday, December 31, 2002 -- a group of Palestinians, on the initiative of
the Palestinian Popular Refugee Committee in Rafah (Gaza Strip), will attempt
to cross an Israeli Occupation Forces checkpoint at Mawasi in order to deliver
emergency food and medical supplies to a village surrounded by illegal Israeli
settlements.
Israeli
Troops Face Criticism on Civilian Toll
Boston Globe, December 29, 2002
"The lack of investigations into civilian deaths has given soldiers a strong
sense of impunity, that they can do pretty much whatever they want without
having to answer any questions," said Lior Yavne, a senior investigator for
the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem and author of a report published in
March that examined Israeli soldiers' actions during the current Palestinian
uprising.
Sharon
says anti-terror steps to intensify
Jerusalem Post, December 30, 2002
Following Friday night's terror attack in Otniel, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
told the cabinet Sunday he and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz agreed to step
up the war on terror and have agreed that all necessary steps will be taken
to this effect.
Labor
to petition court against decision allowing Marzel to run
Jerusalem Post, December 29, 2002
The Labor Party said on Sunday it would petition the High Court of Justice
against the Central Elections Committee decision to allow Baruch Marzel, No.
2 on the Herut Party list, to run for the Knesset.
Sharon:
Jewish conversion process should be shortened
Ha'aretz, December 30, 2002
Secular Jews shouldn't immigrate to Israel, Shas minister says --- Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon said yesterday that the process of converting to Judaism should
be shortened, in response to Health Minister Nissim Dahan's remarks that secular
Jews should not immigrate to Israel.
Dahan's
'anti-immigration' comments cause uproar
Jerusalem Post, December 29, 2002
Meretz party activists held a demonstration at Ben-Gurion Airport on Sunday
in response to derogatory remarks by Health Minister Nissim Dahan of Shas
against new immigrants.
Israel
arrests Islamic Jihad activists near Hebron; Egypt invites Palestinian factions
to landmark talks in Cairo
Al-Bawaba, December 29, 2002
Israeli soldiers operating in the West Bank village of Dura, on the outskirts
of Hebron, arrested three members of Islamic Jihad on Sunday.
Sharon
gives army free hand to kill
Arab News, December 30, 2002
NABLUS, West Bank, 30 December 2002 — A Palestinian child was shot dead
yesterday when Israeli troops opened fire in the reoccupied West Bank town
of Tulkarm, and more violence loomed as Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon ordered
the army to step up assassinations or arrests of ‘wanted’ Palestinians.
OIC
warns of Muslim backlash over US move on Jerusalem
Arab News, December 29, 2002
JEDDAH, 29 December 2002 — A US Congress bill demanding the American
Embassy in Israel be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem will only heighten Muslim
resentment, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) warned.
Israeli
soldiers kill Palestinian schoolboy, attack cameraman
Jordan Times, December 30, 2002
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli occupation soldiers fired towards
Palestinian protesters in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Sunday, killing
an 11-year-old boy and wounding a cameraman on assignment for Associated Press
Television News.
Court
rejects Israeli reservists' appeal
BBC, December 30, 2002
Israel's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by a group of reserve soldiers
who have refused to serve in the occupied territories.
Israeli
army kills 2 Palestinians, destroys homes of militants
New Jersey.com, December 30, 2002
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israeli soldiers killed two Palestinians Monday, one of
them armed, and demolished the homes of two Islamic Jihad gunmen who carried
out a weekend attack in which four Israelis were shot dead.
Israeli
army kills Palestinian boy in West Bank
Gulf News, December 30, 2002
Soldiers shot dead an 11-year-old boy in the West Bank yesterday, the second
Palestinian child killed by Israeli gunfire in two days, witnesses said.
U.S.,
Britain Seek New Iraq Restrictions
The Guardian, December 30, 2002
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United States and Britain asked the U.N. Security
Council to approve new restrictions on Iraqi imports Monday in an effort to
prevent Baghdad from acquiring equipment that could be used in war.
U.S.
Asks for New Iraq Trade Measures
The Guardian, December 30, 2002
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United States took its quest for new restrictions
on Iraqi imports to the U.N. Security Council on Monday, an effort to prevent
Baghdad from acquiring equipment that could be used in a war.
UN
tightens screws on Iraq
BBC, December 30, 2002
The United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution expanding the
list of civilian goods that Iraq cannot import without prior approval.
U.N.
Inspectors Visit New Sites in Iraq
The Guardian, December 30, 2002
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Teams of U.N. inspectors searched at least six sites
in Iraq for banned weapons, provoking ire at a missile factory they inspected
for the fourth time.
Riyadh
Denies U.S. to Use Bases, Airspace against Iraq
Islam Online, December 30, 2002
RIYADH, December 30 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - A senior Saudi official
denied reports of a secret promise by Riyadh to make its airspace and bases
available for use by the United States in the event of war against Iraq, in
remarks published Monday, December 30.
US
says Saudi Arabia will allow use of air bases against Iraq
The Guardian, December 30, 2002
The Saudi government has agreed to allow American planes to use its bases
in a war with Iraq, US military commanders have claimed - providing a crucial
strategic boost for the Bush administration as it ordered the deployment of
thousands more troops, two more aircraft carriers, and one of the navy's two
hospital ships to the Gulf region.
Report:
Attack on Iraq to start on Feb. 21; Saudis to allow air support missions from
Saudi bases
Al-Bawaba, December 29, 2002
A British tabloid newspaper said Sunday that a US-led war on Iraq would begin
on February 21 "at midnight". The Sunday Express said the date and time was
given by US President George W Bush to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
in a telephone call over Christmas.
In
Baghdad, Many Insist Americans Would Regret an Invasion
Common Dreams, December 30, 2002
Saddam Hussein doesn't need his people's love to command their loyalty, Iraqis
contend, saying the U.S. faces a populace primed to fight back. --- BAGHDAD
-- Engineer Qusai Jabbar has a word of advice for Americans who think Iraqi
President Saddam Hussein is so unpopular that ousting his regime will be a
cakewalk: Remember Stalin.
U.S.
Had Key Role in Iraq Buildup
Washington Post, December 30, 2002
Trade in Chemical Arms Allowed Despite Their Use on Iranians, Kurds --- High
on the Bush administration's list of justifications for war against Iraq are
President Saddam Hussein's use of chemical weapons, nuclear and biological
programs, and his contacts with international terrorists. What U.S. officials
rarely acknowledge is that these offenses date back to a period when Hussein
was seen in Washington as a valued ally.
US
aims to seize Iraq’s oilfields intact
Al-Bawaba, December 30, 2002
The United States intends to safeguard the Iraqi oilfields in case Saddam
tries to wreck havoc on his way out the door, US Secretary of State Colin
Powell told an NBC interviewer.
US
plans to secure Iraqi oil fields after invasion
Arab News, December 30, 2002
WASHINGTON/BAGHDAD, 30 December 2002 — The United States plans to secure
Iraqi oil fields if it invades and is looking into the possibility of ramping
up oil production beyond the UN oil-for-food program to pay for post-war reconstruction,
Bush administration officials said yesterday.
'Human
shields' head for Iraq
The Observer, December 29, 2002
A convoy of anti-war activists, likely to include dozens of British volunteers,
will leave London next month to act as human shields protecting strategic
sites in Iraq.
Baghdad
says U.N. '\'playing politics'\' as inspections go on
Al-Bawaba, December 30, 2002
U.N. inspectors searching for banned weapons in Iraq visited three new sites
Monday, including a water purification station and the government's main health
laboratory.
FBI
launches public manhunt for five individuals of Middle Eastern descent
Al-Bawaba, December 30, 2002
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation launched a public nationwide manhunt
for five individuals of Middle Eastern descent, who are believed to have illegally
entered the United States about five days ago.
Powerful
blast rocks Hizbullah training camp
Al-Bawaba, December 30, 2002
A powerful blast took place Sunday in eastern Lebanon where Hizbullah fighters
maintain posts, according to radio and security reports.
Egypt,
Gulf states states to start economic negotiations
Arabic News, December 30, 2002
The Egyptian daily Akhbar al-Youm said Saturday that negotiations will start
in Riyadh on January 14, 2003 between Egypt and the Gulf member states (GCC)
on a collective draft agreement on economic integration.
Jordanian
parliamentary elections by the beginning of January
Arabic News, December 30, 2002
High ranking Jordanian political sources stressed that the Jordanian king
Abdullah II will order the government in the first half of January to make
the general parliamentary elections next spring. The elections which have
been postponed more than one time and provoked internal and external problems.
Raising
alarm over Palestinian's arrest
icWales.com, December 30, 2002
A WELSH peace activist working in a troubled region of the Middle East, is
campaigning for the release of a Palestinian colleague. Dave Rolstone, from
Efailwen in Pembrokeshire, fears for the safety of Palestinian peace activist
Omar Tate, who was arrested by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) just before
Christmas.
Peace
vigil takes to the streets
The Olympian, December 29, 2002
Demonstrators say now's the time to voice opposition --- LACEY -- Cars
honked and drivers cheered as about three dozen people waved anti-war signs
on the four corners of the intersection at College Street and Martin Way on
Saturday afternoon.
Demonstrators
in Turkey protest U.S. position
The Olympian, December 30, 2002
ISTANBUL, Turkey -- About 3,000 protesters burned U.S., British and Israeli
flags on Sunday during a demonstration against a possible U.S.-led war in
neighboring Iraq.
Mitzna
presents Labor's economic platform
Globes, December 30, 2002
Labor leader Amram Mitzna: “ Sharon has allowed the haredim, settlers,
and terrorists to set the agenda.
Foreign
investment continues to plummet
Globes, December 30, 2002
Total foreign investment in Israel was $3 billion in the first eleven months
of 2002, compared with $4.3 billion in 2001. Foreign residents are continuing
to withdraw foreign currency deposits from Israeli banks in advance of the
income tax reform, which comes into effect on January 1, 2003. The reform
will levy taxes on savings.
Iraq
makes US pull carpet on Prince Charles visit — report
Jordan Times, December 30, 2002
LONDON (AFP) — Prince Charles has dropped plans to visit the United
States because the White House, apparently unhappy with his views on Iraq,
has signalled that he would not be welcome, the Mail on Sunday newspaper reported.
Jenin
Victims Narrate Israeli Atrocities in Extraordinary Book
Palestine Chronicle, December 30, 2002
Prof. Norman G. Finkelstein: “I am grateful to the editors of this volume
for preserving the truth of Jenin's martyrdom for future generations - and,
in doing so, redeeming in some small measure the suffering endured there.”
--- SEATTLE (PalestineChronicle.com) - After several months of Israeli attempts
to conceal the conduct of the IDF in the Israeli invasion of the Jenin refugee
camp in April 2002, the most compelling, detailed and revealing account of
the historic events will finally be available to the public.
PM
likely to fire Blumenthal after her refusal to answer his letter
Ha'aretz, December 30, 2002
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is likely to fire Deputy Infrastructure Minister
MK Naomi Blumenthal (Likud) on Monday evening or Tuesday morning at the latest,
if she doesn't agree to cooperate with police investigations into allegations
of vote-buying in the Likud party primaries.
For
Sharon, it's 'All in the Family' for Omri, but a different story for Naomi
Ha'aretz, December 30, 2002
Seven hours after the short police interrogation of Deputy Minister Naomi
Blumenthal on Sunday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's bureau issued a clear,
thunderous and uncompromising reaction to Blumenthal's decision to exercise
the right to remain silent when questioned about an alleged vote-buying scandal.
Terror
suspects impose own curfew in Nablus Casbah
Ha'aretz, December 30, 2002
Wanted Palestinian terrorist suspects in the Casbah area of Nablus have lately
imposed their own curfew on the area, shooting at any person moving in the
area whom they don't recognize as someone they trust.
Breeding
grounds of despair and fatigue
Ha'aretz, December 30, 2002
"Everywhere in Arab East Jerusalem, the residents who live there and visitors
are struck by the disturbing and all-embracing presence of poverty and neglect.."
--- During and after school hours, dozens of school-age children are out on
the main streets of East Jerusalem trying to sell all kinds of junk - using
sales pitches ranging from pleading to misfortunate aggression.
Sharon
Plans Permanent Reoccupation of All Palestinian Land: Erakat
Palestine Chronicle, December 30, 2002
"'The latest obvious examples are the decision to build 230 housing units
in the settlement of Immanuel and to extend buffer zones around settlements
.." --- RAMALLAH - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is moving towards re-establishing
a permanent reoccupation of all Palestinian land, top Palestinian negotiator
Saeb Erakat told AFP Saturday.
Egyptian
Port Workers Refuse To Work On Israeli Ships
Palestine Chronicle, December 30, 2002
CAIRO - An official in the Egyptian Maritime Transportation Sector said that
Israeli ships which are affiliated to the Zeem Israeli maritime navigational
route no longer deal with Egyptian ports in Alexandria, Port Said and Damietta
because Egyptian cargo workers have refused to work on Israeli ships.
All
but 10 settlements want electronic fences
Ha'aretz, December 30, 2002
Only 10 out of 150 settlements in the territories say they do not want "smart"
electronic security fences to protect them, according to Eliezer Hasdai, the
Yesha Council of Settlements security chief.
Foreigners
trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare
Ha'aretz, December 30, 2002
On September 17, two Chinese men suspected of being illegal aliens were arrested,
and deportation orders were issued against them. But 100 days later, these
men are still not in China - they are in Ma'asiyahu Prison.
34,508
immigrants this year lowest since 1989
Jerusalem Post, December 29, 2002
Immigration is at its lowest point since 1989, with only 34,508 registered
newcomers having arrived in 2002, according to figures released Sunday by
the Immigrant Absorption Ministry. This follows a steady decline over the
last four years, with 44,630 immigrants having come in 2001, 61,700 in 2000,
and 78,400 in 1999.
Exclusive:
Summary of the revised road map
Jerusalem Post, December 29, 2002
Below is the official summary of the Quartet's "road map," released to The
Jerusalem Post by a highly placed diplomatic source privy to Quartet discussions.
PLO
Central Council to Meet, Ratify Key Reforms
Palestine Media Center, December 30, 2002
The Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) Central Council (CC) will
meet next month, January 9, for the first time in two years to ratify key
steps in reforms to the Palestine National Authority (PNA).
PNA
Calls on World Community to End Israeli Bloodshed
Palestine Media Center, December 29, 2002
The Palestinian leadership has called upon the international community to
“put an end to the Israeli bloodshed, led by (Israeli Prime Minister)
Sharon, (Israeli “defense” minister) Mofaz, and (chief of staff)
Ayalon.”
Occupation
Chronicle Events in Palestine, December 30, 2002
Palestine Media Center, December 30, 2002
IOF Demolish Two Homes in Durra / Israeli Occupation Troops Detain Three Citizens
in Hebron / IOF Destroy water reservoir in Qalqilia, Attack Peace Activists
