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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..

11 Palestinians injured in failed assassination attempt in Gaza Ha'aretz 12/30/2003 An Israel Defense Forces helicopter gunship fired two missiles at a car in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday evening, in what the Israel Defense Forces confirmed was an assassination attempt of a top Hamas militant. Hospital officials in Gaza said at least 11 people were injured in the attack, two of them critically. The witnesses said the attack occurred near the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, a Hamas stronghold. The car was traveling toward the neighborhood....The vehicle's passengers escaped injury in the attack.... IOF Knocks Down 16 Houses in Balata Camp International Press Center 12/30/2003 NABLUS, Palestine, December 30, 2003 (IPC + Agencies) - - The Israeli occupying forces continued its unleashing offensive on Nablus City and its Balata refugee camp of the West Bank, demolishing a large number of houses there. The Israeli occupying forces demolished Monday overnight 16 houses of the families of anti-occupation resistance activists wanted by the Israeli forces, Palestinian security sources said.....Meanwhile, the Israeli occupying forces had rounded up six Palestinians in several parts of the occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera satellite channel reported. The IOF in Rafah also arrested Tuesday morning four citizens during a fresh swoop on Al Shweika area at the borderline, south east of Rafah, IPC correspondent said. Israeli troops shoot, kill, Palestinian in Rafah Palestinian Information Center 12/30/2003 Occupied Jerusalem - Israeli occupation soldiers on Tuesday shot and killed a Palestinian civilian in Rafah at the southern edge of the Gaza Strip, local sources report. The sources said soldiers manning a “watchtower” opened fire at a Palestinian civilians who was walking outside his home, killing him on the spot. The Israeli army has not elaborated on the incident. Occupation forces demolish mosque and six houses in the Negev Palestinian Information Center 12/30/2003 Beer Sheba - Zionist border guards and policemen yesterday encircled the desert village of Qatanat in the Negev south of occupied Palestine and blocked traffic in and out of the town. Eyewitnesses in the Palestinian village said that a number of Zionist tractors were let loose in the town destroying six of its houses at the pretext of lacking construction permits. Inhabitants affirmed that they had tabled construction requests but the Tel Aviv authorities refused to grant them permits. The occupation authorities refuse to recognize this town along with 45 other villages in the Negev desert. Zionist forces re-occupy Nablus Palestinian Information Center 12/30/2003 Nablus - Zionist troops advanced into the West Bank city of Nablus less than 24 hours after their withdrawal from the city and imposed a curfew. Zionist armored vehicles advanced from a number of axes into the city suburbs and re-occupied the buildings that were seized in the past few days. Reinforcements, including tanks, armored personnel carriers and a huge tractor were seen storming the old quarters of the city. IOF Kills Three Palestinians in Gaza, Partially Redeploys Around Nablus International Press Center 12/29/2003 GAZA, Palestine, December 29, 2003 (IPC + Agencies)-- The Israeli occupying forces (IOF) opened fire and killed three Palestinians near an illegitimate Jewish settlement, while partially redeploying around the city of Nablus and its outskirts. The Israeli occupying forces stationed near the illegitimate Jewish settlement of "Nitzarim", south of Gaza City, opened fire early Monday morning and killed three Palestinian citizens, Palestinian security sources said. Israeli military sources claimed that the Palestinians were killed after firing home-made mortars at the aforementioned settlement, inflicting neither casualties nor damages....A contingent of IOF troop invaded today morning Qulqelia city from the northern and eastern axis, WAFA reported....IOF continued to close all its military checkpoints in the face of incoming and outgoing traffic in Nablus City, thus disrupting the economic and academic life in the once-prosperous city. Palestinians gunned down in Gaza Al-Jazeera 12/29/2003 Three Palestinians were reportedly shot dead by Israeli occupation army fire overnight on Sunday near the Jewish settlement of Netzarim in the Gaza Strip. Israel Radio said three armed Palestinians approached the isolated settlement southwest of Gaza City, late on Sunday. Israeli tanks opened fire at them and killed them. Many armed Palestinian activists were spotted late afternoon on Sunday near the Netzarim settlement (in the northern Gaza Strip) from where mortar shells were fired, injuring no one," said an occupation force source. PRCS Employee Shot and Killed in Gaza Strip Miftah/Palestine Red Crescent Society 12/29/2003 At 12:30 p.m. on Friday the (26 Dec. 2003), Adnan Abu-Jwead, died due to previous injuries in his abdomen sustained on Thursday (08:00am) the previous day. Adnan had been a PRCS employee at Al-Amal Compound as a Maintenance Technician. He sustained his fatal injuries by an Israeli Army sporadic shooting while he was at his home, which is located near Gan Ital settlement (West of Khan Younis). Jewish Settlers Assault Palestinian Citizen, IOF Lock Down Bethlehem International Press Center 12/29/2003 HEBRON, Palestine, December 29, 2003 (IPC + Agencies) - - A gang of armed Jewish settlers physically assaulted a Palestinian citizen in the town of Halhoul, while the Israeli occupying forces raided wide areas of the city of Hebron. Concurrently, the Israeli forces completely locked down the Bethlehem governorate and prevented incoming and outgoing traffic as Christmas eve was drawing closer. Palestinian security and medical sources in Hebron mentioned that a Palestinian citizen was wounded today afternoon when a gang of armed Jewish settlers physically abused him. IOF Dynamites a Palestinian House in Balata, Continues Rampage in West Bank Cities International Press Center 12/28/2003 NABLUS, Palestine, December 28, 2003 (IPC + WAFA)-- The Israeli occupying forces (IOF) dynamited today morning the house of Hashem Abu Hamdan from Balata refugee camp of Nablus. Palestinian security sources said that the Israeli occupying forces blew up the two-storey house of Abu Hamdan, a home of ten family members, and handed demolition warrant to the citizen Nader Abu Al Lail. The Balata refugee camp residents have been confined to their houses under an Israeli military edict of curfew for 13 days now, while the Israeli soldiers conducted a house-to-house search campaign, arresting several Palestinian citizens in the process. 'Rising' Jewish Settlers Defy Evacuation Order Islam Online 12/30/2003 GAZA CITY, December 30 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - As Jewish settlers increase in the troubled Middle East, Palestinians are being killed daily by Israeli occupation forces. Rising settler figures were confirmed in a statement from Israel's Interior Ministry Tuesday, December 30, the same day Israeli occupation forces shot dead a young Palestinian man in the southern Gaza Strip, close to the border with Egypt, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP). The Ministry revealed that the population of Jewish settlements in Palestinian territories has grown by 16 percent since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon came to power in March 2001. Israel does little to stop money flow to terror; Shin Bet sets up new unit Ha'aretz 12/30/2003 For close to two years, the Shin Bet security service monitored the wide-ranging activities of Fatah gunmen suspected of being involved in attacks in the Ramallah area. On one occasion, members of the Fatah's military wing took responsibility for the attacks in a statement sent to the media, yet despite this and other leads, the Shin Bet investigation went nowhere....It eventually established that these attacks had been carried out by a Hamas cell, not Fatah. This discovery led to another mystery - why had Fatah taken credit for attacks it didn't carry out? Shin Bet officials now say this particular riddle is easily deciphered - success in terms of killing Israelis is profitable for the leaders of militant groups. Breaking News: The army imposes curfew south Jenin International Middle East Media Center 12/30/2003 The army imposes curfew south Jenin: Troops imposed curfew over Jaba' village near Jenin after a unit of the special forces entered the village using cars Arabic cars which have been, after invading the area, the military attacked a coffee shop which they claimed that some ‘wanted' Palestinians were in. / The army invades Rafah and arrests several Palestinians: The military invaded this dawn southeast Rafah when more than 30 tanks and military Jeeps entered that area. Locals said that the invasion was carried out under air coverage by Apache planes, which were shooting heavily towards the houses and the streets. / The army demolishes six houses in the Gaza Strip: Palestinians security sources said that the army demolished with bulldozers Monday six houses during its invasion south Der Al-balah in Gaza.... Fence route is moved, scrapping 2 enclaves Ha'aretz 12/30/2003 The government is to modify the route of the separation fence after discussions between senior IDF officers and politicians. There will be two major changes in plans for the fence. One is in the area of Baka al-Garbiyeh on the Israeli side of the fence, and Baka al-Sharkiya on the West Bank. The original plan to build barriers to the east and west of Baka al-Sharkiya will be scrapped and residents of the village and its outlying area will not find themselves inside Israeli territory. The fence will instead run between the two villages, conforming mostly to the 1967 Green Line. Ginot Aryeh settlers to resist dismantlement Middle East Online 12/30/2003 Notices to quit were posted Tuesday on doors of homes in this West Bank outpost after orders for its dismantling were issued and the army braced for an emotional showdown with the settler inhabitants. Defense ministry officials posted the notices, signed by central region commander General Moshe Kaplinsky, on doors of the prefabricated houses which are home to a handful of families from the nearby settlement of Ofra in the central West Bank, residents said....Plans for the removal of Migron, an outpost which is home to 43 families and was on an original list of eight drawn up earlier this month by Mofaz, have been shelved amid fierce opposition. Zionist policemen wound Jewish settler Palestinian Information Center 12/30/2003 Occupied Jerusalem - The state of maximum alert and panic in lines of the Zionist security led one of the policemen to fire at a Jewish settler thinking he was a Palestinian commando on his way to launch an attack. The Zionist army radio said that a Zionist tramp was spotted north of Tel Aviv while carrying a bag on his shoulder and a mobile telephone and Zionist police thought he was a Palestinian resistance fighter. They ordered him to stop but he did not so they showered him with bullets. Palestinian Bar member survives assassination attempt Palestinian Information Center 12/30/2003 Gaza - Member of the Palestinian Bar, Mohammed Farraj Al-Gholi, 46, yesterday survived an assassination attempt in the Shati refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. The lawyer, who enjoys great respect in the Strip, said that he was in one of the shops to the east of the refugee camp near the Shati Shuhadaa school when a young man raised a pistol and tried to fire at him. He said, “The pistol did not fire a single bullet, all praises to Allah, and citizens then pursued the youth and caught him”. Court cuts sentence of Palestinian who beat an IDF soldier Ha'aretz 12/30/2003 The Supreme Court on Tuesday decided to accept the appeal submitted by Walid Habas, 23, who was convicted of beating soldier Assaf Miara in December 1998, and reduced his sentence from seven to five years. However, the court decided not to overturn Habas's conviction as well as the three-year suspended sentence he received....Habas also asked for his sentence to be reduced because he lost an eye after the incident after being shot at by troops at an IDF roadblock. Israeli troops fighting 'crats' in West Bank Middle East Online 12/29/2003 JERUSALEM - Israeli soldiers stationed in the West Bank are battling against a new breed of ruthless attackers - giant rats whose numbers are multiplying at an alarming rate. The troops guarding a Jewish enclave in the town of Hebron have dubbed the creatures "crats", as they are nearly as large as cats. One soldier has been treated in hospital for rabies after being bitten on the ear while two others have been nibbled in recent weeks. "In the past few weeks the rats have been more frightening than the terrorists," one soldier told the Maariv daily, referring to Palestinian militants. Debate Over Israel's Barrier Heats Up The Guardian 12/29/2003 JERUSALEM (AP) - The army's shooting of an American and an Israeli peace protester has angered Israelis and sparked renewed debate over a controversial West Bank barrier and the army's rules of engagement. Israel says the barrier - made up of concrete walls, razor wire, fences and trenches - is meant to keep suicide bombers out. Palestinians condemn the barrier, which dips deep into the West Bank in some areas, as a land grab....By Sunday, the airwaves were clogged with Cabinet ministers, army officials and peace activists fervently arguing over the incident. ``An order to fire on people that do not fire on you is a completely illegal order,'' said Ami Ayalon, a former head of Israel's Shin Bet security service.

Diplomacy..

Likud MK said invited to Syria Ha'aretz 12/30/2003 A Likud legislator has been invited to Syria in order to advance the possibility of resumed Israeli-Syrian diplomacy, and may travel to Egypt to explore opportunities for such a process, following recent remarks by Syrian leader Bashar Assad indicating openness for new talks, Israel Radio reported Tuesday....A spokesman for Sharon would not comment on the report. Sharon's office told the radio that if the visit does take place, it will not be at the prime minister's behest. Aides to the prime minister said that Damascus would still need to take numerous steps, in particular, halting aid to terror groups, before Israel could return to peace talks. PM: Syria talks must start from scratch Ha'aretz 12/29/2003 Prime Minister Ariel Sharon yesterday told his cabinet that any negotiations with Syria would start from scratch. In response to a question from Science and Technology Minister Eliezer Sandberg, who asked whether negotiations with Syria would begin from the point at which they broke off under then-prime minister Ehud Barak in 2000, Sharon said that "in the event of talks between Israel and Syria, they will start from scratch." Sharon rejected reports that agreement had been reached on 80 percent of the issues between Jerusalem and Damascus. " PNA Dismiss Removal of Jewish Outposts as “Stunt” International Press Center 12/30/2003 RAMALLAH, Palestine, December 30, 2003 (IPC + Agencies) - - In response to the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s decision to dismantle four illegitimate Jewish settlement outposts, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) disregarded it on Monday as a “stunt”. The Palestinian chief negotiator, Dr. Sa’eb Erekat, in a statement, said the decision "is a media show that no longer has audiences.” "I think the world is sick and tired of these public relations stunts - Israelis moving a caravan here and a caravan there," Erekat told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Sharon, Shalom disagree on Syrian overtures Jerusalem Post 12/30/2003 The Prime Minister's Office and the Foreign Ministry disagree over how to handle recent Syrian conciliatory overtures, diplomatic officials said Tuesday. According to the officials, while the Foreign Ministry wants to seriously look into the whether the overtures can be the basis for restarting negotiations between Syria and Israel, the Prime Minister's Office – while paying lip service to the idea that Israel is interested in pursing peace with all its neighbors – doesn't want to throw a "life raft" to the Syrians who are currently in a weak position internationally. Syria pushes WMD-free Mideast Christian Science Monitor 12/29/2003 Monday the UN Security Council is set to discuss Syria's draft resolution, which is aimed at Israel. -- BEIRUT, LEBANON – Libya's decision to abandon its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs has helped resurrect an Arab call for a Middle East free of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. Syria and Israel, bitter enemies, are coming under intensified pressure to give up their WMD programs. But neither country is likely to comply before a regional peace treaty is signed, analysts say. And with Saudi Arabia reportedly considering acquiring nuclear weapons, prospects for an imminent WMD-free zone in the volatile region look bleak. President Arafat Calls to Israeli Withdrawal from Palestinian Territories and Halt of Apartheid Wall International Press Center 12/30/2003 RAMALLAH, Palestine, December 30, 2003 (IPC + WAFA) - - The Palestinian President Yasser Arafat called to the withdrawal of the Israeli occupying forces from the Palestinian territories an immediate cease of the construction of the Apartheid wall and colonial Jewishsettlement activities. Palestinian PM Ahmed Qurei’: “The Israeli military escalation will not be met by Palestinian pacification” International Press Center 12/28/2003 JERUSALEM, Palestine, December 28, 2003, (IPC+ Agencies)— Palestinian Prime Minister, Ahmed Qurei’ stated today that the continued Israeli military escalation in the Palestinian occupied territories will not be met by Palestinian pacification. "The brutal carnage committed by the Israeli Occupying Forces (IOF) in Rafah refugee camp and followed by preplanned assassination operation in Gaza city gives Palestinians the right to respond to such repressive military operations,” Qurei’ told journalists. Mossa Urges to Compile Documented Proof Ahead of ICJ Hearing over the Apartheid Wall International Press Center 12/29/2003 GAZA, Palestine, December 29, 2003 (IPC + Agencies)-- The Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Amre Mossa, urged the member states to set forth documented proof to clear the image over the adverse impacts of the Apartheid Wall, built by Israel around and through the West Bank. According to Mr. Mossa, the proof would be a bedrock for the Arab league that is intended to file against Tel Aviv in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague. PA dismisses evacuation of outposts as publicity stunt Ha'aretz 12/30/2003 The Palestinian Authority has criticized Israel's decision to remove four unauthorized settlement outposts, saying the move is a publicity stunt that falls below the requirements of the U.S.-backed road map peace plan. The comments came as head of Central Command Moshe Kaplinski issued an order that will make it possible to expedite legal proceedings and dismantle the outposts. Erekat: Israel Will Never Find a Palestinian Partner Had It Implemented Unilateral Steps International Press Center 12/29/2003 GAZA, Palestine, December 29, 2003 (IPC + Agencies)-- Dr. Sa’eb Erekat, the Palestinian Chief Negotiator, viewed the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's appointment of a prominent officer to head a special committee for implementing unilateral steps as a true intent by Sharon to move ahead in implementing the disengagement. Jordan's Hassan: Sharon pragmatic, but cannot find a partner Ha'aretz 12/29/2003 Prince Hassan bin Talal, uncle of Jordan's King Abdullah and a former heir to the throne of the Hashemite kingdom, has told an Italian newspaper that he sees Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as a pragmatic man, who wants security for his people, but is unable to find a partner on the Palestinian side with whom to conduct negotiations.

Human Rights..

Young Palestinian prisoners at Ofer threatened with rape Palestinian Information Center 12/30/2003 Nablus - Palestinian prisoners at Ofer Prison revealed that they are being threatened with sexual assaults to extract confessions.The prisoners reported that the most prominent of these abuses is the treatment received by Druze prison guards who carry out the racist policy of humiliating prisoners during searches. They force prisoners to strip and anyone who refuses is beaten up isolated in solitary confinement. Israel destroys eight structures, mosque in Bedouin village Al-Bawaba 12/29/2003 Bulldozers sent by the Israeli Interior Ministry, on Monday destroyed eight structures and a mosque in a Bedouin village located in the Naqab (Negev). The residents of the area were furious over what they described as disrespect for their religion and vowed that "What was destroyed will be rebuilt". The Israeli Interior Ministry refused to comment on its latest operation. "A country that doesn't respect religious sentiments is one that crosses the line", a Bedouin Negev resident told Yediot Aharonot website after bulldozers ruined a mosque and eight structures near the Ara'ra village, in accordance with an Interior Ministry order. Police question Israeli shot by IDF troops during fence protest Ha'aretz 12/29/2003 The police questioned wounded fence protester Gil Na'amati under warning on Sunday, while the Israel Defense Forces were conducting two separate investigations into the shooting of Na'amati by Israeli troops on Friday during a protest by unarmed demonstrators against the separation fence in the West Bank....Na'amati's father, Uri, said he advised his son to exercise his right to remain silent and the investigator decided not to press him for answers at this stage in light of Na'amat's medical condition. Flooding at Magedo makes life impossible for Palestinian prisoners Palestinian Information Center 12/30/2003 Nablus - Palestinian prisoners at Majiddo military prison complained of the severity of the damage caused by the heavy rainfall for the past few days, due to lack of drainage at the prison. In a telephone call, prisoners at Majiddo reported that Section 4, which houses 180 prisoners living in 8 large tents, was overwhelmed by the rainfall causing partial damage to the public library and other electric devices. The rain also brought in some topsoil from outside the prison. Palestinian prisoners denied proper medical treatment Palestinian Information Center 12/30/2003 Bethlehem - Lawyers of the Palestinian prisoner’s club have said that Palestinian internees in a number of Zionist jails and detention centers were severely tortured and denied proper medical treatment. Nizar Mahajna, Hussein Al-Sheikh and Ma’mon Al-Hushaim quoted the prisoners as saying that they were compelled to sign confessions just to rid themselves of torture while children were forced to sign papers, which they could not understand. Israel targets Jerusalem's Palestinians Al-Jazeera 12/29/2003 Yasir Abu Mghair lives in the Jerusalem suburb of Beit Safafa. His wife of seven years comes from Yabta village near Hebron. However, since Yasir is an Israeli resident, he cannot visit Yabta without prior planning and, due to an Israeli law passed last summer, his wife who holds a West Bank identity card cannot stay with him in Jerusalem. As a result, the Abu Mghair family lives incognito, avoiding checkpoints, hospitals and government institutions. The law is the latest in a series of measures by the Israeli government, aimed at reducing the number of Palestinians living in Jerusalem. Losses of the Health Sector in Tulkarem Governorate by IOF International Press Center 12/29/2003 TULKAREM, Palestine, December 29, 2003 (IPC)-- The health sector in the governorate of Tulkarem has suffered, since the eruption of the Al Aqsa Intifada 38 months ago, great losses in its resources, whether on the human level or the technical one. According to the information gathered by the IPC in Tulkarem, the Israeli occupying forces (IOF) has killed three Palestinian members of the medical teams...wounded several medics and medical relief workers while performing their humane duty...[and] inflicted losses to the health sector, such as the raid on the Al Zakah hospital on August 26, 2002. Israel Hampers Local and International Figures Protesting Apartheid Wall International Press Center 12/29/2003 WEST BANK, Palestine, December 28, 2003 (IPC + Agencies)-- The Israeli occupying forces (IOF) opened fire and threw tear gas canisters Saturday towards participants in a peace rally organized by the National Campaign to Resist the Apartheid Wall, which Israel is constructing in Qalqilya City. The rally aims to start a campaign against the Apartheid Wall, considered as a catastrophe to the Palestinians as it occupies hundreds of miles of Palestinian land. PCHR calls for an investigation into a murder in Gaza Central Prison Islamic Association for Palestine/Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 12/29/2003 29 December 2003 -- PCHR strongly condemns a murder that took place on Sunday morning, 28 December 2003, at Gaza Central Prison in the Gaza Strip. An armed young man disguised as a policeman entered the prison during visiting hours and shot ‘Awni Mohammed Abu Es’ayed, 29, from Nusseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Abu Es'ayed was in prison awaiting execution for the criminal offence of murder. PCHR condemns any attempt by Palestinian individuals to circumvent the rule of law, and calls for a full and impartial investigation into this crime. The blatant nature of the murder suggests that an inquiry is necessary to determine whether law enforcement officials failed to fulfill their duties under the Palestinian National Authority's Law of Rehabilitation Centers- Prisons (Law 6 of 1998). ACRI petitions Supreme Court: open access points in separation barrier Association for Civil Rights in Israel 12/29/2003 The gates are almost continually closed leaving the local population imprisoned in isolated enclaves.-- ACRI submitted a petition yesterday to the Supreme Court against the Israel Defense Forces, calling for the opening of the access points of the separation barrier in such a way as to facilitate a permanent access arrangement for the population of the adjacent villages including the passage of vehicles, agricultural tools, and mechanized equipment. The petition was submitted by ACRI Attorney Fatmeh El-A’jou, on behalf of five Palestinians, residents of four of the villages bordering the separation barrier. High Court petitioned against fence Ha'aretz 12/29/2003 The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) yesterday filed a petition to the High Court of Justice against the Israel Defense Forces on behalf of five West Bank village residents who have been cut off from their lands due to the separation fence. The five Palestinians are demanding the opening of crossing points in the fence. This security barrier not only cuts the Palestinians off from their lands, the petitioners argued, but also separates "workers from their places of employment, students from schools, patients from treatment centers, and between residents and their families." Israeli Authorities Decide Expelling Seven "Administrative Detainees" to Undisclosed Location International Press Center 12/28/2003 GAZA, December 28, 2003 (IPC + Agencies)-- The Israeli occupying authorities have decided to expel seven Palestinian "administrative detainees" without determining the location to which they were to be expelled. The seven detainees are from the 'Al Naqab Desert' jail, including the oldest Palestinian "administrative detainee", Sheikh Ra'ed Qadry, from Nablus....Qadry was supposed to be released after 30 months and one week of his arrest, as he was arrested on June 20, 2001. The jail administration informed Qadry that he would remain in jail until his expulsion decision is carried out. TIPH: Witnesses to the occupation Al-Jazeera 12/29/2003 Nearly seven years after the multinational TIPH Mission in Hebron [Temporary International Presence in Hebron] came into existence, it is still unclear when the mission will end. The activities and presence of Jewish settlers in the divided city are the main reasons behind the need for this continued international presence. In 1994, when a Jewish extremist massacred 29 Arab worshippers at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, the international community pressured Israel to allow the redeployment of scores of international civilian observers in the city “to provide a feeling of security” to the Palestinians.

Economy..

Report: Only the rich keep getting richer Ha'aretz 12/30/2003 The economic situation of Israel's richest 10 percent improved in the past decade, while the situation of all others - including for the first time the upper middle classes - deteriorated, according to the annual report of Adva Center for Equality and Social Justice. The report, based on Central Bureau of Statistics figures, showed that despite the recession of the past two years, the earnings of Israel's richest 10 percent kept going up. Poland buys thousands of anti-tank missiles Jerusalem Post 12/29/2003 Israeli and Polish defense officials signed an agreement Monday to provide the new NATO nation with Rafael's Spike LR, anti-tank missile to the Polish Ground Forces. The deal was signed at a special ceremony at the premises of the Polish company Mesko, in Skarzysko. The deal was so important for Poland that their Minister of National Defense Jerzy Szmajdzinski was on hand to sign it. School strike ends after budget cut put on hold Jerusalem Post 12/30/2003 Following a Tuesday night meeting in Tel Aviv local authority chiefs called off strike action which had closed most schools across the country. A forum of local authority leaders who called for the strike agreed to accept an offer made earlier in day by the Treasury and Education Ministry to delay budget cuts for a month. Histadrut: Gov't reneged on deals Ha'aretz 12/30/2003 The Histadrut yesterday accused the government of reneging on the agreements the two sides had reached and announced that the public sector will continue striking. "The Civil Service Commission revoked a large part of the agreements regarding the structural changes, so we are not stopping the sanctions," said Ofer Einy, the chair of the public sector's union in the Histadrut. Civil Service Commissioner Shmuel Hollander called Einy's accusations "negotiating tactics." In fact, the differences between the parties had narrowed down greatly and "we are on the verge of an agreement," Hollander said. Infrastructures Ministry: No nuclear powered plants in coming decade Globes 12/30/2003 Director general Eli Ronen: Israel's power capacity must be doubled to 25MW by 2025. -- Ministry of National Infrastructures director general Eli Ronen told Army Radio last Friday that nuclear power stations would probably not be built in Israel in the coming decade. Ronen said, "The issue of nuclear power is taboo in Israel. It should be taken into account that the bulk of power in some European countries, such as France, is produced by nuclear power." Ronen said activity was focusing on preserving land, mostly in the Negev, for the construction of power stations in the future. Foreign cos received 41% of gov't grants in 2003 Globes 12/30/2003 Foreign-owned companies received $252 million in January-November. -- 41% of the investments approved by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor Israel Investments Center during 2003 went to foreign-owned enterprises, according to a copy of the Investment Center's annual report obtained by "Globes"....The Investment Center approved $136 million in 98 grants in January-November 2002, as well as the extraordinary $3.5 billion grant to Intel (Nasdaq:INTC). Strum: Israel not more open to imports than US Globes 12/30/2003 Antitrust Authority director general Dror Strum criticized a Business Data Israel (BDI) study published yesterday. -- "Even if Israeli customs duties for certain goods are lower than those in the US, it's impossible to claim that this figure and the figures for import quotas are valid measures of the degree of competitiveness and openness of the Israeli economy," said Antitrust Authority director general Dror Strum today in response to a Business Data Israel (BDI) study published yesterday. The BDI study claimed that Israel's economy is very open to competitive imports by international standards. In some cases, it is even more open than the US. Liberty Properties liquidating Israeli business Globes 12/30/2003 The company has opened negotiations to sell the 6,000-sq.m. commercial center at Century Tower in Tel Aviv for $10 million. -- Liberty Properties (TASE:LBRT) (formerly Shekem Real Estate) plans to renovate all its properties in Israel, in order to sell them and invest the proceeds [in] overseas real estate, Liberty Properties CEO Boaz Kamer and owners' representative Daniel Salkind told "Globes" today. Bank of Israel lowers interest rate another 0.4 percent Ha'aretz 12/29/2003 Bank of Israel Governor David Klein surprised no one by lowering interest rates for January by 0.4 percent Monday afternoon. The expected announcement marked the 10th time in 2003 that the governor lowered rates, starting at 8.9 percent at the beginning of the year and ending at 4.8 percent for January 2004. 1,400 small businesses in Jerusalem closed during 2003 Ha'aretz 12/28/2003 1,400 small businesses, which comprised 12 percent of all businesses operating in Jerusalem at the beginning of 2003, were closed during the course of the year, according to a report published Sunday by National Trade Union in Jerusalem head Ezra Atiya. The closing of the 1,400 businesses lead to the dismissal of 2,100 workers. According to Atiya, in 2001 and 2002, an additional 2,200 small businesses in Jerusalem were either closed or sold. Poland, Israel sign missile deal Christian Science Monitor 12/29/2003 Warsaw reaps rewards for its politically risky support of the US-led war in Iraq. -- After going out on a limb as one of the United States' staunchest allies in the war in Iraq, Poland is starting to see some payback. The latest reward comes not from the US but from Israel in the form of a ten-year missile contract valued at around $350 million. The anti-tank "Spike LR" missiles, which can be shoulder-fired, will be produced in Poland under license from the state-owned Israeli Rafael arms corporation by the Polish firm Mesko, reports the Associated Press. Rafael to sign $250 million deal with Polish army Ha'aretz 12/29/2003 A delegation of senior Defense Ministry officials, headed by the ministry's director general Amos Yaron will leave Sunday for Poland to sign a deal with the Polish army for the sale of anti-tank missiles manufacture by the Rafael Armament Development Authority. The Polish defense minister will attend the signing ceremony that will be held Monday in Warsaw.

People..

Palestinian Nation Mourns Ahmad Al Dajani's Death International Press Center 12/30/2003 GAZA, December 30, 2003 (IPC) - - On December 29, 2003 a great influential Palestinian intellectual and scholar passed away, after a life of achievements and contributions to the Palestinian cause and its people's struggles. Ahmad Al Dajani, the prominent Palestinian intellectual and one of the first founders of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), died yesterday night in his home in Egypt, after carrying the burdens of the Palestinian cause and defending it in various arenas. Belgium’s Malcolm X? Dyab Abu Jahjah makes an impact Daily Star 12/29/2003 Boy from South Lebanon gains notoriety in the political debate and on the barricades ­ and in his recently published book ­ on behalf of Europe’s Arab immigrants -- He’s handsome, intelligent, fluent in Flemish, yet born in Lebanon. Loved by some, hated by many, Dyab Abu Jahjah is known as Belgium’s own Malcolm X. He’s the founder of the Arab European League (AEL), an organization that speaks out for the rights of Arab and Muslim immigrants. As such, he’s also been called a threat to society in Belgium and Holland. So, who is Dyab Abu Jahjah and what are people so afraid of? To answer these questions and others, Jahjah recently published a book, Between Two Worlds: The Roots of a Freedom Struggle. Arabs and Jews begin journey of trust Sydney Morning Herald 12/29/2003 Eight Palestinians and Israelis have embarked on an expedition to Antarctica, pledging to forge strong bonds despite the hostilities between their peoples. The group will climb an unnamed and unexplored mountain near the Bruce Plateau, after sailing 1000 kilometres across treacherous seas from southern Chile. Their expedition is called Breaking the Ice. The goal of the 35-day sea and land journey is to build immense trust between the team members - four Arabs and four Jews - by giving them a common goal that will put them in life-and-death situations. "I'm not naive and I know we are not going to change the world or bring peace," said Doron Erel, a professional mountain climber and one of the initiators of the project. Lebanese musician Munir Khauli opens up about his life Daily Star 12/30/2003 Composer writes and sings songs about country’s unsatisfactory conditions -- Munir Khauli speaks with the ease and style of someone who works with words. The work of this 44-year-old musician is characterized by highly polished and meaningful lyrics. His serious face hides his tireless self-deprecating humor which “allows (him) to make fun of everyone else.” The album he released in September, Tannin al-Tarab, is the fruit of a long process that took him overseas and back again. Book review: A deafening silence Ha'aretz 12/29/2003 Unconscionable or excusable? A look at the actions of the Jewish community in South Africa through the darkest period of apartheid rule- "Community and Conscience: The Jews in Apartheid South Africa" by Gideon Shimoni, published by Brandeis University Press/University Press of New England and David Philip, $32.79 -- Most of South Africa's Jews originated from Lithuania and stepped from oppression there into a society in which their "white" skin color instantly and automatically made them oppressors. They became part of the white minority that ruled over the black majority. In pictures: Christmas in Bethlehem BBC 12/24/2003 Photo essay: Troops looked on as worshippers headed for Manger Square, the reputed birthplace of Jesus Christ.

International..

Bush signs parts of Patriot Act II into law — stealthily San Antonio Current 12/30/2003 With a whisper, not a bang -- On December 13, when U.S. forces captured Saddam Hussein, President George W. Bush not only celebrated with his national security team, but also pulled out his pen and signed into law a bill that grants the FBI sweeping new powers. A White House spokesperson explained the curious timing of the signing - on a Saturday - as "the President signs bills seven days a week." But the last time Bush signed a bill into law on a Saturday happened more than a year ago - on a spending bill that the President needed to sign, to prevent shuttng down the federal government the following Monday. Banned Arms Flowed Into Iraq Through Syrian Firm Los Angeles Times 12/30/2003 Files found in Baghdad describe deals violating U.N. sanctions and offer a glimpse into the murky world of weapons smuggling and the ties between 'rogue states.' --DAMASCUS, Syria — A Syrian trading company with close ties to the ruling regime smuggled weapons and military hardware to Saddam Hussein between 2000 and 2003, helping Syria become the main channel for illicit arms transfers to Iraq despite a stringent U.N. embargo, documents recovered in Iraq show. The private company, called SES International Corp., is headed by a cousin of Syria's autocratic leader, Bashar Assad, and is controlled by other members of Assad's Baath Party and Alawite clan. Syrian firm denies connections to illicit arms deals with Iraq Al-Bawaba 12/30/2003 Syrian company SES International has denied allegations that it was involved in illicit arms trade dealings with Iraq. The US-based LA Times accused the firm of signing more than 50 contracts to supply millions of dollars worth of military equipment to Iraq between 2000 and 2003. Jordan Curricula To Draw A Line Between Terror, Resistance Islam Online 12/30/2003 AMMAN, December 30 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Jordanian Education Minister Khaled Tuqan Tuesday, December 30, was quoted as saying that schools will get new textbooks in the 2004-2005 school year that will make the difference between "terrorism and legitimate resistance". The Jordanian declaration comes only days after the Gulf Arab Council states, during their summit in Kuwait last week, adopted a charter for educational reforms with a view to "reformulating school curricula" in member states and preventing "the influence of youths by extremist ideologies". Iran: No talks with US without major policy shift Middle East Online 12/30/2003 KERMAN, Iran - Iranian President Mohammad Khatami rejected Tuesday any dialogue with archfoe Washington without a radical shift in US policy, despite welcoming American aid for victims of last week's devastating earthquake. "What is the point of negotiations if there is no trust that will enable us to reach a common position," Khatami told reporters on a visit to Kerman, near the quake-stricken region of Bam. Prospects of a thaw in relations after more than two decades of enmity rose after US Secretary of State Colin Powell signalled his country could consider dialogue with a government Washington brands part of an "axis of evil". Arab states send aid to Iran Earthquake victims Arabic News 12/29/2003 A plane loading Syrian medical aids arrived at the Iranian Karaman Airport overnight as part of the Syrian people's assistance to those affected in the devastating latest earthquake. Iranian state radio said the Syrian aids included a medical team, 40 tons of various first-aid assistance, drugs and infants foodstuffs. Also, Egypt's Minister of Culture Farouk Hosny declared that the archaeological experts in the Egyptian Ministry of Culture are ready to present technical support to help preserving the remains of the historical citadel of Bam, considered the most important ancient historical landmarks in Iran and the world. ElBaradei visits former nuclear 'secret sites', says Libya was in 'early stages' of weapons program Al-Bawaba 12/29/2003 The UN nuclear chief said Monday that his visits to four previously secret sites related to Libya's nuclear weapons program, on the second day of a trip to the country, proved that Libya had been in the early stages of a weapons program before it dismantled its efforts. Mohammed